Pros and Cons of being a teacher

So I'm a teacher and as with any job there are pro's and con's of being one.


Let's start with the cons:

1. No freedom to go to the toilet when you want or need to! Seriously the first few years you are training your body to go when it is break times. No wonder my students have trouble too!
2. Dealing with bratty, snotty, clingy or selfish kids. It's no bed of roses and a lot of kids need training in manners and hygiene...guess that's my job!
3. Having so much to do! Our 'to do' list never ends. I have literally had a list of things to do all year and not gotten to them. Thankfully they tend to be wish lists of things you want to get done. But somehow all the important things do get done on time.
4. Having your holidays scheduled so no choice on when you want to go...especially if you wanted to travel in the off-peak times!
5. Parents who aren't helpful. This could be either not helping you with your job as a teacher or not helping their child in their learning.
6. After school commitments. (Parent Teacher Interviews, meetings, phone calls etc.)

Ok I think that's all the con's. Let's see if the pros outweigh them:

1. Having a pretty well structured day. You know where you should be for majority of the day.
2. Having input into developing minds. You actually are teaching them something new very day!
3. The days/lessons when it totally all clicks together and works like clockwork!
4. Hearing the kids laugh at a joke you made...like yeah parents you get to hear a couple kids laugh but having a more than 15 students laugh makes you feel like a comedian!
5. Having regular holidays, despite half of the time you spend it working anyway...but no kids to hold you back on planning/marking/learning.
6. Usually being home in time to still go grocery shopping or do some cleaning...that is if you aren't completely exhausted!
7. Getting to dress up in crazy costumes a few times a year, like it is normal!
8. Getting to sing songs and dance with the kids because you have to.
9. Learning things - it is proven that a learning, growing mind is a healthy mind.
10. Being in control - you get a whole classroom to control...you are the boss...like a mini boss in an organisation and you get 15+ kids to order about!
11. Having students who will do things out of the goodness of their child's heart!

Well that's all I can think of for now but wow look at that almost double the amount of cons!

Also yesterday I read this verse:

 Ecclesiastes 5: 18-20

“Then I realised that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labour under the sun during the few days of life God has given him – for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work – this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.”

I love being a teacher. Do you love what you do?