4 minute read
Shop Talk: No Such Thing As a Typical Day ... And That's a Good Thing
By Kevin J. Costa, Ph.D., Director of LifeReady
People who don't teach don't know what they're missing—they simply don't. I can think of few other professions as edifying, complex, and meaningful as teaching. I'll never forget when Sharon "Farmer" Hood, then a kindergarten teacher, remarked that she was approaching that time of year when she taught children how to read.
How. To. Read.
Let that sink in. What you're doing right now, as you hold this magazine—and what we take for granted because it feels so ordinary—is nothing short of life-changing. And teachers get to be part of that moment. Others get to open the world of music, or football, or chemistry, or dance, or writing to students, often for the very first time. What a daunting privilege!
I recently surveyed teachers for their thoughts about what they do every day to create the conditions for life-changing experiences. Surprise, surprise: There is no typical day. But I didn't want generalities—I wanted to know what a teacher's day is like beyond the curriculum, grading, and schedule.
"Head on a swivel," said Upper School science teacher Rob Smoot '77, when asked what a "typical" workday is like. He should know after 45 years of teaching and coaching thousands of students. In our conversation, he never stopped smiling. Yes, teaching is exhausting, but as Rob said, nothing beats the moment when a student "gets it." That is the very instant when a teacher's experience, creativity, persistence, and belief blend with a student's effort and curiosity, resulting in that deceptively simple-sounding concept: learning.
My survey about a "typical" day as a teacher also resulted in a parade of adjectives: "joyful, organized chaos," "invigorating," "creative chaos," "crazy and wonderful," "brimming," "joyful mayhem with purpose and heart." What other professions might elicit such responses? Perhaps people who work in the arts, science research, or in psychological services? Or in professions where people innovate in tech or medicine? Teaching doesn't have the market entirely cornered on joy, but I'd venture to say that it's among a small handful of careers that can feel like this every day.
Why? Because teaching is fundamentally a creative, relational, and intellectual practice. If it were only about conveying information, we'd just call that what it is: training. But teaching is a rare art that blends intellectual development with the formation of values, resilience, character, and life's meaning.
If it were only about conveying information, we'd just call that what it is: training. But teaching is a rare art that blends intellectual development with the formation of values, resilience, character, and life's meaning.
When asked about the most rewarding part of their day, our teachers described a familiar theme. Middle School world language teacher Mark Spencer noted that he finds the greatest reward when "helping students reach the potential that you know is in them, yet they may still have their doubts." Lower School teacher Jen Cope says, "The most fulfilling part of my day as a teacher is spending meaningful time with my students—building connections, guiding their learning, and celebrating their growth. Whether it's the energy of Morning Meeting, the discoveries in CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts) and math, or the support and reflection times throughout the day that make teaching incredibly rewarding."
A wise colleague once said that we can often take care of ourselves if we always "have a little something to look forward to." As I discovered, there are lots of things teachers look forward to every day. Middle School performing arts teacher Suzi Eldridge says, "I look forward to watching my shy students come out of their shells and come alive when they sing or act." Jonna Wahle, Lower School integrated technology specialist, captures the singular joy of being a faculty parent: "Seeing my own two children in the hallway and how happy and well taken care of they are during their day." Another Lower School teacher listed: "A child's smile and giggle when they enter the room, witnessing an Eagle using positive self-talk, being resilient, building their stamina, and growing in their confidence; seeing my closest co-workers is always a shining moment, too."
So is it always sunshine and roses? Of course not. Teachers all said they wanted more time. Many came clean about the grind of grading. And work in February is, well...work in February. But when you look past the small frustrations that can cloud a moment, you see the secret—and not-so-secret—lives of teachers. Proof that this isn't just a job, but the most meaningful work in the world.
