Teaching can be a richly rewarding experience. Whether you’re teaching first graders their multiplication tables or teaching college students all about the history of Italy, it can be really nice to know you’re making a difference in the lives of children and young adults. Education is one of the best gifts you can give someone, and it’s not something we should take for granted.
That being said, teaching is by no means an easy gig. When you make an assignment, you then have to grade that assignment 25, 50, or even 100 times, depending on how many class sections you’re teaching. A teacher shouldn’t feel like they have to “save” their students, but many are pressured to do so in ways big and small.
There’s all that, plus the fact that the pay isn’t great and public education funding seems to be getting slashed more and more every year. It’s a big commitment, and it’s OK If you aren’t up for it. There are multiple ways to nurture and support children outside of the classroom.
IMAGE: PIXABAY
Students – Counseling
Every school has at least one school counselor. There are sometimes separate counselors for things like college and career help, but in many cases, one or two guidance counselors are expected to take care of everything. If a student has a problem with their parents pressuring them to become a doctor, they may see a guidance counselor.
More seriously, a student can see a counselor if they’re in an abusive relationship with their boyfriend or girlfriend. Counseling students require a lot of patience and empathy. A counselor to be “on” even when you don’t feel well because the student waiting outside your door probably feels even worse and really needs some support. That’s one of many reasons why school counselors are generally expected to have a certain amount of formal education and training before they set up shop.
Many have a masters degree in school counseling, and more and more degrees of that sort are being offered online now. Online classes are a great option for working professionals who can’t afford to quit their job and focus exclusively on obtaining a new degree. Such a degree can be really beneficial for those who want a career focused on helping kids reach their full potential.
Students – Volunteering
Pretty much every school needs volunteers to get by. It doesn’t matter if it’s a ritzy private school in Manhattan or a rural public school in Kansas; volunteers are essential to providing additional help for both students and teachers. Volunteers can chaperone kids on field trips or at school dances.
They can help set up booths at the fall festival fundraiser. Best of all, they can be an informal sounding board for students looking for advice on things like dating and college. Not every student wants to go to their dad and ask for help securing a date to the prom, but some students might be more than willing to go and talk to a friend’s dad.
You don’t have to be a parent to volunteer, either. You can volunteer for local charities that serve children through services like art classes or trips to a therapeutic horse ranch. As long as you truly want to help and have the best interests of the students in mind, you should be golden.
If you are interested in even more education-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels then we have a lot to choose from.
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