7 Reasons Why Teaching is Challenging and Hard

Teaching is one of the most rewarding professions in that it gives you an opportunity to make an impact on a future generation.  It is also extremely difficult and draining—no one with actual teaching experience would tell you otherwise. Being a teacher takes patience, dedication, passion, and the ability to do more with less. It is a treacherous journey often filled with just as many valleys as there are mountains.  Those committed to the profession do so simply because they want to be difference makers.  The following seven factors are some broader issues that make teaching challenging and hard. Disruptive Environment Disruptions occur in many external and internal forms.  Students and teachers have lives outside the walls of the school. Situations commonly occur that serve as a distraction.  These external obstacles are often difficult and sometimes nearly impossible to ignore and overcome.  Internally, issues such as student discipline problems, student assemblies, extra-curricular activities, and even announcements interrupt the flow of the school day.   These are only some of the many issues that serve as a disruption for teachers and students. The fact is that any disruption will take away valuable instructional time and negatively impact student learning in some form.  Teachers must be adept at handling disruptions quickly and getting their students back on task as soon as possible. Expectations In Flux The rules of teaching are constantly changing.  In some aspects, this is good while occasionally it may also be bad.  Teaching is not immune to fads.  The next great thing will be introduced tomorrow and obsolete by weeks’ end.  It is an ever revolving door for teachers.  When things are always changing, you leave very little room for any stability. This lack of stability creates nervousness, uncertainty, and an assurance that our students are being cheated in some aspect of their education.  Education requires stability to maximize effectiveness. Our teachers and our students would benefit from it greatly.  Sadly, we live in a time of flux. Teachers must find a way to bring some stability to the classroom to give their students an opportunity to be successful. Finding Balance There is a perception that teachers only work from 8-3 each day.  This is the time they actually spend with their students. Any teacher will tell you that this only represents a portion of what is required of them.  Teachers often arrive early and stay late. They must grade and record papers, collaborate with other teachers, plan and prepare for the next day’s activities or lessons, attend faculty or committee meetings, clean and organize their classrooms, and communicate with family members. Many teachers continue to work on these things even after they go home.  It can be difficult to find a balance between their personal life and their professional life. Great teachers invest a tremendous amount of time outside of the time spent with their students. They understand that all these things have a significant impact on student learning. However, teachers must commit to stepping away from their teaching responsibilities from time to time so that their personal life does not suffer in some aspect. Individuality of Students Every student is different. They have their own unique personalities, interests, abilities, and needs. Gauging these differences can be extremely difficult.  In the past, teachers have taught to the middle of their class. This practice did a disservice to those students with higher and lower abilities.  Most teachers now find a way to differentiate and accommodate every student according to their own individual needs. Doing so benefits the students, but it comes at a price for the teacher.  It is a difficult and time-consuming task.  Teachers must be adept at utilizing data and observations, finding the appropriate resources, and meeting every student where they are. Lack of Resources School funding impacts students learning in several areas. Underfunded schools have overcrowded classrooms and outdated technology and textbooks.  They are understaffed with many administrators and teachers taking on dual roles to save money.  Programs that may benefit students, but are not required are the first to be cut.  Students lose out on opportunities when schools are underfunded. Teachers must become adept at doing more with less. Most teachers unselfishly spend hundreds of dollars out of their own pockets to purchase supplies and materials for their classrooms.  A teacher’s effectiveness cannot help but be limited when they are not afforded the necessary resources to do their job effectively. Time Is Limited A teacher’s time is precious.  As alluded to above, there is a difference between the time we spend with the students and the time we spend preparing for our students. Neither is sufficient.  Teachers must maximize the time they have with their students.  Every minute with them should matter.  One of the hardest aspects of teaching is that you only have them for a short period of time to prepare them for the next level.  You do the best you can when you have them, but in the scope of things, you have only a small amount to give them what they need.  No teacher feels like they ever have enough time to accomplish everything that they needed or wanted to. Varying Levels of Parental Involvement Parental involvement is one of the greatest indicators of academic success for students. Those students whose parents teach their children from an early age that learning is valuable and stay involved throughout school give their children a greater opportunity to be successful.  Most parents want what is best for their children, but they may not know how to be involved with their child’s education. This is another obstacle that teachers must hurdle.  Teachers must take an active role in giving parents the opportunity to be involved. They must be direct with parents and engage them in discussions about the role they play in their child’s education.  Furthermore, they must give them the opportunity to be involved on a regular basis.

Communicating With Teachers For Students With Adhd

Communicating with Teachers for Students with ADHD Communication is extremely important every single day in one’s life. Dunne defines communication as â€Å"the process by which information, meanings and feelings are shared by persons through the exchange of verbal and non-verbal messages (p. 57).† It is particularly important to be clear and accurate in our communications in order to be effective in everything we do. For teachers it is important to have precise and effective communication skills when interacting with colleagues, parents, and students. It is vitally important to have communication skills that are clear, concise, and comprehensive, when interacting with and discussing students that have any developmental issues or concerns such as ADHD. Recent research has been focusing on the need for more consistent and effective communications between teachers, parents, and students with ADHD in order for these children to acquire the deepest level of education possible so that they are able to be as successful as pos sible once they leave the formal schooling setting. Literature Review One of the many different types of developmental disabilities that a student can be diagnosed is ADHD. In Jun (2009, p.2003) â€Å"attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a genuine neurobiological disorder that results in functional impairment of daily activities due to hyperactivity and inattention.† It is exceptionally important for concise communication between the teacher andShow MoreRelatedAutism Spectrum Disorders And Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder1235 Words   |  5 Pagesand Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. 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Symbol Essay on King Lear Free Essays

Often in literature, symbolism is used to represent ideas or meanings in a metaphorical sense. However, in Shakespeare’s play, King Lear, the symbolism of blindness is used both in a metaphorical and literal way. This symbolism can first be seen in the metaphorical blindness of Lear, and then Gloucester, which then leads to the literal blindness of Gloucester later on in the play. We will write a custom essay sample on Symbol Essay on King Lear or any similar topic only for you Order Now These examples of blindness are an important part of King Lear because they help the reader to better understand the themes that Shakespeare wanted to convey through his work. The symbol of blindness can be found in the very first scene of the play, when Lear is demanding praise from his daughters to decide who will receive the better part of the land when he gives up his throne. He is metaphorically blinded by his pride and arrogance when his eldest daughter, Cordelia, replies by saying nothing. Lear is enraged, â€Å"Nothing will come of nothing†¦Here I disclaim all my paternal care†¦And as a stranger to my heart and me Hold thee from this forever† (I. i. 89-114), and he foolishly banishes the only daughter who truly loves him. He cannot see that through Cordelia’s silence, she is actually saying much more than her sisters, who were deceiving their father in order to receive power. Through the example of Lear’s actions, the theme that pride and arrogance can blind you is presented to the reader and continues on to evolve into a major theme of the play. Another theme that is introduced through the symbol of blindness is that people are easily deceived by others. This theme is apparent when Gloucester is deceived by his bastard son, Edmund. His plan is to deceive his father in order to â€Å"if not by birth, have lands by wit.† (I. ii. 164). He is so desperate for power that he goes to the extreme of putting his brother in danger due the fake letter he gave to Gloucester, making him believe Edgar had turned against him. Gloucester is blinded by Edmund’s trickery and lies to the point where he orders for Edgar to be killed. Through his example of metaphorical blindness, Gloucester becomes an example of the theme that blindness leads to people being easily deceived by others. Gloucester is also an example of the literal symbolism of blindness that Shakespeare uses in King Lear. In the third act, comes the bloodiest part of the tragedy; Gloucester is literally blinded by Cornwall for helping Lear escape to Dover. After having both of his eyes plucked out, Gloucester asks to see his son Edmund, whom he believes is there to protect him. Regan reveals the truth to him, â€Å"Thou call’st on him that hates thee. It was he That made the overture of thy treason to us, Who is too good to pity thee,† (III. vii. 88-90), and Gloucester then realizes he has been deceived by Edmund and wronged his son Edgar. By not seeing Edmund’s treachery until he was blind, Gloucester presents another theme, blindness can lead to truth. By saying, â€Å"I stumbled when I saw,† (IV. i. 19) Gloucester helps the reader to understand that seeing can blind us from the truth. Through the symbol of blindness, whether metaphorical or literal, the meaning of the play is greatly enhanced by the themes the symbol presents. The reader can better understand the meanings and ideas that Shakespeare intended to portray through his characters. Lear and Gloucester, through their metaphorical and literal examples, allow the symbol to be used as an important part of the play. How to cite Symbol Essay on King Lear, Essays Symbol Essay on King Lear Free Essays Often in literature, symbolism is used to represent ideas or meanings in a metaphorical sense. However, in Shakespeare’s play, King Lear, the symbolism of blindness is used both in a metaphorical and literal way. This symbolism can first be seen in the metaphorical blindness of Lear, and then Gloucester, which then leads to the literal blindness of Gloucester later on in the play. We will write a custom essay sample on Symbol Essay on King Lear or any similar topic only for you Order Now These examples of blindness are an important part of King Lear because they help the reader to better understand the themes that Shakespeare wanted to convey through his work. The symbol of blindness can be found in the very first scene of the play, when Lear is demanding praise from his daughters to decide who will receive the better part of the land when he gives up his throne. He is metaphorically blinded by his pride and arrogance when his eldest daughter, Cordelia, replies by saying nothing. Lear is enraged, â€Å"Nothing will come of nothing†¦ Here I disclaim all my paternal care†¦And as a stranger to my heart and me Hold thee from this forever† (I. i. 89-114), and he foolishly banishes the only daughter who truly loves him. He cannot see that through Cordelia’s silence, she is actually saying much more than her sisters, who were deceiving their father in order to receive power. Through the example of Lear’s actions, the theme that pride and arrogance can blind you is presented to the reader and continues on to evolve into a major theme of the play. Another theme that is introduced through the symbol of blindness is that people are easily deceived by others. This theme is apparent when Gloucester is deceived by his bastard son, Edmund. His plan is to deceive his father in order to â€Å"if not by birth, have lands by wit.† (I. ii. 164). He is so desperate for power that he goes to the extreme of putting his brother in danger due the fake letter he gave to Gloucester, making him believe Edgar had turned against him. Gloucester is blinded by Edmund’s trickery and lies to the point where he orders for Edgar to be killed. Through his example of metaphorical blindness, Gloucester becomes an example of the theme that blindness leads to people being easily deceived by others. Gloucester is also an example of the literal symbolism of blindness that Shakespeare uses in King Lear. In the third act, comes the bloodiest part of the tragedy; Gloucester is literally blinded by Cornwall for helping Lear escape to Dover. After having both of his eyes plucked out, Gloucester asks to see his son Edmund, whom he believes is there to protect him. Regan reveals the truth to him, â€Å"Thou call’st on him that hates thee. It was he That made the overture of thy treason to us, Who is too good to pity thee,† (III. vii. 88-90), and Gloucester then realizes he has been deceived by Edmund and wronged his son Edgar. By not seeing Edmund’s treachery until he was blind, Gloucester presents another theme, blindness can lead to truth. By saying, â€Å"I stumbled when I saw,† (IV. i. 19) Gloucester helps the reader to understand that seeing can blind us from the truth. Through the symbol of blindness, whether metaphorical or literal, the meaning of the play is greatly enhanced by the themes the symbol presents. The reader can better understand the meanings and ideas that Shakespeare intended to portray through his characters. Lear and Gloucester, through their metaphorical and literal examples, allow the symbol to be used as an important part of the play. How to cite Symbol Essay on King Lear, Essays