Teaching calms me
These days, my stressors are many. Aside from personal life issues, I have been on unemployment for almost 2 years. I just started teaching at my career college in October. While I am thankful that I have a job, their pay scale, especially for someone who has a Masters degree such as myself, is well below what an accredited university would pay. I teach 3 classes a night, every night, and still do not make enough to come off of unemployment. As for finding a second job, I can't. Not for a lack of trying. Our economy is in such a state of disaster that employers are taking advantage. The competitive rate is now $10/hour and for those of us who live in cities like Los Angeles, that is impossible to live on. In addition to not being able to live on that wage, I get turned down for jobs anyway because I am too experienced considering I have an advanced degree. So, times are getting quite scary. I stress out often but when I get to work at night and teach, I become so calm. Even with the problem students. The frustrate me but I don't get stressed. I love teaching and I love that most of my students love to learn in my class. It calms me in so many ways and I am thankful that I have that outlet.
Philip, This is wonderful to hear. Some teachers are drained by their teaching experiences. Others are energized. Sounds like you represent the latter of the two. When teaching is a source of calm and the break in your life, you can feel confident that you'll have a long career in it.
Dr. Melissa Read
I can agree with many of those who have posted to this topic - the one aspect of my life that has been the "best medicine" for stress has been standing in front of the classroom. There have been times in recent years in which I have been a complete emotional wreck in my life, but put me in my math classroom and none of that matters. I even had a former dean comment about that regarding me. Unfortunately, once the classes are over and I'm out of the classroom, that same change in attitude didn't carry over.
I find that I can be having a horrible day, not wanting to talk to anyone...but once I get up in front of the class, I feel as though I forget my troubles, feel great, and am able to interact well with my class (making them laugh, getting them involved with the discussion topic).
I enjoy teachiNG and I feel i AM LESS STRESSED BECAUSE OF IT
Charles, Sounds like you are dealing with a lot of stress based on student motivation, enthusiasm and expertise. You are right. It is a challenge when students do not share your passion for your discipline. You do often ask yourself why they are studying with you. One thing you can do to energize students is to remind them of why they are studying. Remind them of their end goal. Ask them why they are studying and allow them to talk out what they hope to accomplish and where they hope to one day be.
Dr. Melissa Read
I enjoy teaching it calms me and helps my productivity
For me, teaching is at one time exciting and relaxing. I am personally involved in the crafts that I instruct and have to remind myself that a significant percentage of my students do not share my passion and persistence. The requirement to be professiional is stressful as well as challenging. After all, if this student does not genuinely want to master this, why is he/she here? On the other hand, how might this student's interest be engaged so as to turn his/her indifference to commitment? A sense of humor (and of proportion ) is helpful.
I am also intrigued by the widespread lack of hands-on skills that characterizes our student body. The students' ages range from 21 to 65+ so this lack may well be the result of television watching and electronic gaming. The challenge becomes one of conscientiously including fundamental hand tool use and best work practices in my presentations. I have found that the transmission of manual skills is rendered more effective by starting with repeated demonstrations combined with practical exercises and then later providing structured discussion and written materials after the students have begun work on their projects. At that point, I have gained their attention in a way that introductory reading homework and lectures have not. This approach appears to lower student stress and certainly lowers mine.
James, Interesting perspective. It sounds like you are living in two different worlds as you move from your personal to professional life. It's wonderful to hear that teaching is such a great outlet for you. For many instructors, it's a source of stress. For you, it sounds like it might be an outlet that helps you deal with stress.
Dr. Melissa Read
Teaching is my oasis. It provides me with a unique environment where an honest exchange of views and opinions can occur. In my personal life, these honest interactions are frequently avoided. You don't want to step on someone's toes.
Carrie, this is an interesting account of how personal life affects a professional one. I believe you are dealing well with the stressors in your life. We all must find a suitable outlet for our frustration and tension - teaching is a great one!
