More Than Just a Teacher :: 6 “Second” Jobs Teachers Have

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more than a teacher

Teacher’s Appreciation Week is upon us and with it comes well-meaning gestures and gifts from family, friends and administrators about how teachers have very difficult jobs.

But, today, I want to call attention to the other jobs that teachers have. Teachers have a second, third and fourth job yet all are within the school building, during the school day.

Teaching the skills and concepts necessary for academic success, while of the utmost importance to every student, is just a small piece of what we do. As a teacher, here are some of the “second” jobs I have.

The Teacher As Counselor

My student in foster care is afraid to actually “like” her teachers because she doesn’t want to go through the pain of losing us. Therefore, she goes through very intense moments of trying to push us away. Everyday we work on accepting the love and care of others knowing, that while it may not be permanent, it is still meaningful. I don’t have a counseling degree, but I have an ear to listen.

The Teacher As Nurse

Your child had an accident due to a tummy bug and needs a first responder? I’m on it. Your son has a nodule on the side of his penis he felt the need to tell me about? I encouraged him to tell you because I thought it would be the.most.awkward.email.ever. During state testing, a student was suffering from serious post nasal drip. Tissues, 99 cents. Garbage basket, $4.00. Making sure the vomit was all in the garbage basket and not on the carpet in an effort to not derail all the other students taking the test? Priceless! I’m not a nurse but I know the basics of first aid.

ouch, that smarts
I’m not a nurse, but I can provide first aid.

The Teacher As Parent

As painful as it is to say this, not every student is living with parents who are well equipped to build a foundation for social, emotional and academic success. Some have lost their parents through death and abandonment. They are with me 35 hours a week. They feel comfortable and safe. They see the benefits of boundaries and structure. They receive encouragement and praise. And because of this, they are sad to leave on Fridays. So they hug you goodbye on Fridays and tell you they love you. I’m not trying to replace a parent, but I have love to give.

The Teacher As Security Guard

Although rare and we truly pray it never happens, we are trained to deal with people who may be carrying weapons and I’m prepared to lay down my life for the life of my students. It’s that simple and instinctual. I don’t wear a bullet-proof vest, but, should the safety of my students be threatened, I will act like one.

The Teacher As Waitress

I know . . . lunch is only 20 minutes. But in those 20 minutes I have opened a stubborn container, negotiated additional food for a hungry student, resolved an account balance issue with the cafeteria manager, replaced a dropped spoon and alerted the janitorial staff to a spill. And now it’s time for me to eat . . . nope . . . lunch is over! I do not rely on the lunch crowd gratuities, but I still serve those who are eating.

Teachers don’t get gratuities from the lunch crowd, but we will serve.

The Teacher as Statistician

When I am done teaching, I collect data, monitor progress, and plot expected progress for students who are struggling. All of this information is tied up nicely in the form of a report and meeting with parents, teachers and administrators. I analyze at what grade level and within which percentile my students are function at. Then, come up with strategies to help those struggling students. I am not an actuary but I know which students are at risk.

So, I want to wish all the teachers out there a Happy Teacher Appreciation Week. And Happy Counselors, Nurses, Mother’s, Father’s, Security Guard, Waitress and Statistician Week. Teaching, while one of the most important things we do, is not all we do. Thanks for working your “second” jobs, too!

Teacher Photo credit: cybrarian77 / Source / CC BY-NC

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