Welcome to Open Book Blog Hop. You can find us every Monday talking about the writing life. I hope you'll check out all the posts: you'll find the links at the bottom of this post.
Continuing on the topic of money what is the hardest thing you have done to earn money?
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Most of the hardest work I've done in my life, I did not get paid for: raising children, medical support, home renovation, clean up after a disaster, etc. Free labor for and with the people I love, paid only in love and appreciation, maybe with food.
To earn a living, I've only had a few kinds of jobs: teaching, writing, librarian, secretary/receptionist, DJ, and my current day job as a content strategist for a big financial company. (If you're asking "what's a content strategist" here's how my Dad explains it to the rest of the family: "she listens to the business people and lawyers and translates what they said into regular English people can understand." That's not a bad explanation, honestly.)
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Out of all those, the hardest was teaching. Physically, emotionally, and psychically demanding. I survived for 27 years before I finally left that abusive spouse of a career I was staying with "for the children" and found something more tenable and sustainable to finish my working years.
I don't want to rehash all my concerns about the way American school systems exploit and abuse their employees. I'm sure you've heard them all before. But I will say, it's great here on the other side of the classroom door. I loved teaching, and really felt like I made a difference in the world when I was doing it. But, I eventually had to choose myself before it killed me.
How about you? What's the hardest work you've had to do?
Teachers often ask me if I'm planning to become a full-time teacher (rather than a substitute). Honestly, I've seen their job. Their job is hard. I'll stick with the subbing, thanks.
ReplyDeleteA good sub is worth her weight in gold. If schools paid what teachers were worth (and subs were worth), they'd need quadruple the budget.
DeleteI considered being a teacher, but decided I'd rather peruse other options. Hearing what teachers go thru these days, I'm glad I didn't tae that path!
ReplyDeleteIt's a hard knock life, for sure. Work that matters, but that requires a LOT.
DeleteI never wanted to be a teacher, though I've subbed in both public and private schools and been a Sunday School teacher. It wasn't the money -- in Alaska teachers actually get paid higher than the average wage and they have the BEST benefits. Other gov't employees are jealous of their medical insurance and retirement. I just never wanted to work for the government (though I ended up doing it anyway) and teaching didn't seem interesting until I was older. I really respect teachers for the work they do. It just didn't appeal -- even though I did it for a while as a substitute. I'd be willing to sub again after I retire, but I could just never catch a passion for it and I think teachers really should have some passion for the job.
ReplyDeleteI used to teach in Alaska! And I agree that the best teachers have passion for it.
DeleteI've worked as a library assistant and a medical secretary. I'd rather do those two jobs than teach; it seems these days teachers cannot discipline the pupils and must spend all day shouting instead.
ReplyDeleteI always got on fine with the kids--it was just the workload: 7 classes a day, 150 or more kids. So many meetings it was hard to do the prep work and assessment work. I struggled just to eat and go to the bathroom most days.
DeleteTeachers aren’t paid enough for all they go through. It’s a wild package of caregiver, educator, customer service rep. Unthanked and reviled by too many.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could argue with that, but I entirely agree having been there myself.
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