No job in education is easy. Every job worth doing right takes hard work and dedication. Though I think all careers in education are tough, these eight stand out as some of the toughest. Educators that stay with these jobs and strive to succeed are making a real difference in shaping our next generation.
Provided the stages for achieving a permanent position are sufficiently strict, and are not completed for the first four or five years, a teacher deserves to have the knowledge that they will not have to scramble for a new job in their immediate future. Concerns about their own children needing to change schools, or a spouse/partner being uncertain of how long they may be in their current jobs, weigh heavily on a teacher or anyone at all for that matter. The teacher is likely to perform better when they know what to expect, and, as a result, how to organize their lives with the least disruption. One or two years may not be enough to reveal serious problems in the teacher's training or attitude, which is why I suggest a longer trial.
God bess those who teach kindergarten! other than special education, this is one of the toughest jobs in the world. Not only do you have to have the children prepared for first gade, but there are curriculm that you have to teach them how to read,write,and know their letter and their numbers. Remember this is the foundation for their educational career!
I'm still in college going through the education program, but I do substitute when I am on school breaks, and I totally believe that they have a really tough job. Walking into a classroom and not knowing anything about the kids, the setup, or the school schedule is tough, not to mention not knowing anything about the teacher. If you are subbing for a teacher with really lax policies, the class is going to walk all over you. If you have a teacher with a clear classroom management system, yes, the class will behave, but they will also spend ALL day telling you what you are doing wrong! (Especially in early elementary!) Then you have the "What kind of plans will I get" guessing game that happens before you walk in. Some teachers leave their normal block plans that they use every day, which makes great sense to them, but you are running around the school to find a teacher to translate for you, and other ones leave minute by minute plans that are too firm for a substitue day (everything will NOT get done. I personally do my best, but a second grade classroom, on a Friday, with a substitute, forces a LOT of 'winging it'), it is a great job though because you get to see so many different things, and when you get those great classes, those great plans, and have the ability to write the note that says "everything was great! They were chatty, but really enjoyable to be with!" consider an accomplished day.
A debate coach spend many weekends and often part of summer break taking students to debate meets. It is not unheard of to spend over 500 to 600 hours beyond contract coaching and attending afterschool activities while the stipend is very meager. However, when the students try hard, learn and are successful, the payoff is incredible.
I have taught since 1968 in every grade K through 8 and reading at high school level. For the past three years I have taught emotional disturbed boys (grades 8-12) who all live in group homes. This is by far the most challenging teaching position I have ever had. I teach ALL subjects with reading levels from first grade to college. But for every tough part of the job there are 10 rewards that I get back from my boys. As one of my boys who just graduated from high school said as he hugged me goodby with tears in his eyes, "Thank you for all you've done for me and made possible for the rest of my life. I'm going to miss you." Needless to say, i had tears rolling down my face.
Account Removed
8 months ago
I didn't realize that curriculum specialists had it so rough. I actually enjoy visits from my curriculum specialist. Maybe it's because it's my first year (and it is challenging) and I will take all the help and ideas I can get because even the simple ideas can lead to creative ones!!! And I worked as a sub until I got a teaching position. OMG! I made it through each day but subbing is not for me. So my students KNOW my expectations and the consequences if they EVER give a sub a hard time! LOL
LOL. No wonder my first year was challenging.... I was a first year teacher, teaching special education Kindergarteners. 3/8 of the most challenging jobs. :)
I was a kindergarten teacher , in the inner city,for four/five years. I enjoyed my children because many came with the skills they needed for learning. Today's children are not as they were many years ago, without skills. I began with a phonics approach and went from there.
As a teacher you have to realize that they are there to learn and you give them what they want. The average child takes in quite a lot in the first eight to ten years.
Add to that teaching on a Native American Reservation. Many of the kids have a real lack of apathy for everything and in addition come from very very difficult situations. It takes a special person to see past that apathy, connect with and encourage them to grow personally while embracing their culture, and placing it into context in the bigger world.
Working with students with special needs can be very rewarding, but working with student populations having severe disabilities there are a couple of difficult aspects. The first is having to have an academic curriculum for a student that needs a functional curriculum. With NCLB even students with severe disabilities must be tested on academics. It can also be very physically and emotionally draining, but the rewards definitely outweigh the frustrations (but is certainly not for everyone).
The fact is that not everyone is cut out to work in the inner city. There is nothing wrong with that. Why don't you try applying to a school not in the inner city.
I am a substitute teacher in Las Vegas and I am at a Title one inner city school. I have a long term position but I am ready to give up. I still want to be a licensed teacher but the clas room I am in now is terrible and I just am not happy there. What do I do?
I vote for Special Educator for all the reasons put forward by all the commenters here. But also for one very particular reason: Every kid whom you work with has been diagnosed with "something wrong with them" and they know it, and the real challenge is to help them see that this does not define them, nor does it need to limit them in their overcoming their "issues" to become successful. If a kid can get to this by the end of the year, or even get a start on it, I feel that we have a victory on our hands.
Everyone isn’t cut out to teach in our nation’s inner cities, and the most urban cities struggle to keep teachers longer than just a few years. Inner city schools struggle for several reasons. Large class sizes, few male teachers, a lack of strong leadership and experienced teachers, and even a lack of supplies make day to day learning hard. Add to that a dynamic student body with street smarts and attitude beyond their years, and you may have a tough school situation
As the one who originally said subs should not make this list let me state a few things. First off, in now way am I trying to discredit the work that subs do. I subbed before I had my own classroom so I know what it is like. Some commented that the fact that they don't have prep time and don't know the kids are reasons that subs made it on to the list, sadly I see these as reasons they shouldn't. Like it or not, in my experience unless you are a well known regular sub for school(thus many kids and teachers do know you and you often are requested) you are not expected to get to know the kids and be as prepared as the teacher. I commend subs that rise or attempt to rise to the occasion because as most teachers know, it is very difficult to find a quality sub. The fact is, subs do not share the challenges a full time teacher has, which is why I felt it was a put down leave have subs on a list without the classroom teachers.
Euphemia222
3 months ago
4 comments
Provided the stages for achieving a permanent position are sufficiently strict, and are not completed for the first four or five years, a teacher deserves to have the knowledge that they will not have to scramble for a new job in their immediate future. Concerns about their own children needing to change schools, or a spouse/partner being uncertain of how long they may be in their current jobs, weigh heavily on a teacher or anyone at all for that matter. The teacher is likely to perform better when they know what to expect, and, as a result, how to organize their lives with the least disruption. One or two years may not be enough to reveal serious problems in the teacher's training or attitude, which is why I suggest a longer trial.
LpaldinoPauline
6 months ago
2 comments
God bess those who teach kindergarten! other than special education, this is one of the toughest jobs in the world. Not only do you have to have the children prepared for first gade, but there are curriculm that you have to teach them how to read,write,and know their letter and their numbers. Remember this is the foundation for their educational career!
smdoyle
7 months ago
2 comments
I'm still in college going through the education program, but I do substitute when I am on school breaks, and I totally believe that they have a really tough job. Walking into a classroom and not knowing anything about the kids, the setup, or the school schedule is tough, not to mention not knowing anything about the teacher. If you are subbing for a teacher with really lax policies, the class is going to walk all over you. If you have a teacher with a clear classroom management system, yes, the class will behave, but they will also spend ALL day telling you what you are doing wrong! (Especially in early elementary!) Then you have the "What kind of plans will I get" guessing game that happens before you walk in. Some teachers leave their normal block plans that they use every day, which makes great sense to them, but you are running around the school to find a teacher to translate for you, and other ones leave minute by minute plans that are too firm for a substitue day (everything will NOT get done. I personally do my best, but a second grade classroom, on a Friday, with a substitute, forces a LOT of 'winging it'), it is a great job though because you get to see so many different things, and when you get those great classes, those great plans, and have the ability to write the note that says "everything was great! They were chatty, but really enjoyable to be with!" consider an accomplished day.
judie
7 months ago
2 comments
A debate coach spend many weekends and often part of summer break taking students to debate meets. It is not unheard of to spend over 500 to 600 hours beyond contract coaching and attending afterschool activities while the stipend is very meager. However, when the students try hard, learn and are successful, the payoff is incredible.
kgore
7 months ago
2 comments
I have taught since 1968 in every grade K through 8 and reading at high school level. For the past three years I have taught emotional disturbed boys (grades 8-12) who all live in group homes. This is by far the most challenging teaching position I have ever had. I teach ALL subjects with reading levels from first grade to college. But for every tough part of the job there are 10 rewards that I get back from my boys. As one of my boys who just graduated from high school said as he hugged me goodby with tears in his eyes, "Thank you for all you've done for me and made possible for the rest of my life. I'm going to miss you." Needless to say, i had tears rolling down my face.
Account Removed
8 months ago
I didn't realize that curriculum specialists had it so rough. I actually enjoy visits from my curriculum specialist. Maybe it's because it's my first year (and it is challenging) and I will take all the help and ideas I can get because even the simple ideas can lead to creative ones!!! And I worked as a sub until I got a teaching position. OMG! I made it through each day but subbing is not for me. So my students KNOW my expectations and the consequences if they EVER give a sub a hard time! LOL
Jessie81
9 months ago
8 comments
LOL. No wonder my first year was challenging.... I was a first year teacher, teaching special education Kindergarteners. 3/8 of the most challenging jobs. :)
SelenaClark
10 months ago
2 comments
I was a kindergarten teacher , in the inner city,for four/five years. I enjoyed my children because many came with the skills they needed for learning. Today's children are not as they were many years ago, without skills. I began with a phonics approach and went from there.
As a teacher you have to realize that they are there to learn and you give them what they want. The average child takes in quite a lot in the first eight to ten years.
bsaccardo
12 months ago
2 comments
Add to that teaching on a Native American Reservation. Many of the kids have a real lack of apathy for everything and in addition come from very very difficult situations. It takes a special person to see past that apathy, connect with and encourage them to grow personally while embracing their culture, and placing it into context in the bigger world.
lciancio
12 months ago
2 comments
Working with students with special needs can be very rewarding, but working with student populations having severe disabilities there are a couple of difficult aspects. The first is having to have an academic curriculum for a student that needs a functional curriculum. With NCLB even students with severe disabilities must be tested on academics. It can also be very physically and emotionally draining, but the rewards definitely outweigh the frustrations (but is certainly not for everyone).
benny
12 months ago
10 comments
The fact is that not everyone is cut out to work in the inner city. There is nothing wrong with that. Why don't you try applying to a school not in the inner city.
Leipziger
12 months ago
2 comments
I am a substitute teacher in Las Vegas and I am at a Title one inner city school. I have a long term position but I am ready to give up. I still want to be a licensed teacher but the clas room I am in now is terrible and I just am not happy there. What do I do?
TomAnselm
12 months ago
56 comments
I vote for Special Educator for all the reasons put forward by all the commenters here. But also for one very particular reason: Every kid whom you work with has been diagnosed with "something wrong with them" and they know it, and the real challenge is to help them see that this does not define them, nor does it need to limit them in their overcoming their "issues" to become successful. If a kid can get to this by the end of the year, or even get a start on it, I feel that we have a victory on our hands.
skg
12 months ago
4 comments
Everyone isn’t cut out to teach in our nation’s inner cities, and the most urban cities struggle to keep teachers longer than just a few years. Inner city schools struggle for several reasons. Large class sizes, few male teachers, a lack of strong leadership and experienced teachers, and even a lack of supplies make day to day learning hard. Add to that a dynamic student body with street smarts and attitude beyond their years, and you may have a tough school situation
benny
12 months ago
10 comments
As the one who originally said subs should not make this list let me state a few things. First off, in now way am I trying to discredit the work that subs do. I subbed before I had my own classroom so I know what it is like. Some commented that the fact that they don't have prep time and don't know the kids are reasons that subs made it on to the list, sadly I see these as reasons they shouldn't. Like it or not, in my experience unless you are a well known regular sub for school(thus many kids and teachers do know you and you often are requested) you are not expected to get to know the kids and be as prepared as the teacher. I commend subs that rise or attempt to rise to the occasion because as most teachers know, it is very difficult to find a quality sub. The fact is, subs do not share the challenges a full time teacher has, which is why I felt it was a put down leave have subs on a list without the classroom teachers.