Are Teachers Victims or Victors?
October 2017
I came across this post on Facebook the other day and it really got be to thinking. It seems that some people continue to view the role of teacher as someone who works for free or who is not valued by others. Some people in our society view the role of a teacher as someone who is a victim, a person who is suffering or is in a situation by no choice of their own.
The truth is teachers enter the profession knowing their salary and many of the challenges associated with this career path. It’s no secret that people in any profession where they aspire to be great will arrive to work early, stay late, or even work on weekends. Many professionals in any vocation enter their line of work with no promise of overtime pay, bonuses, or promotions because they enter their careers with a service mindset with the goal of seeing how their hard work and passion improves the lives of the people they serve.
So why does this matter? It matters because when teachers buy into the victim mindset, it can lead to a feeling of helplessness, lack of job satisfaction, or ultimately leaving the profession altogether. But it also contributes to a culture of negativity because people who adopt a victim mindset can sometimes blame and/or complain about their circumstances and spread negativity throughout their classrooms and/or schools.
Let’s set the record straight. Teachers are not Victims, they are Victors, World Changers, Servant Leaders who want to change the world. They are in the parking lot early in the mornings because they know how important it is to have everything prepared prior to their kids arriving to school each day. They work at night and on weekends because they want to have engaging lessons that will fascinate their students so that they enjoy learning. They don’t complain about working long hours because they understand that in order to get the results, they must be willing to put the time in. They use their free time and invest their own money for their students and their classrooms because they want to give their students an amazing experience.
Ask a teacher, they teach and more than likely you will hear responses such as-- I love working with kids, I want to make to make a difference, and I’ve always dreamed of becoming a teacher. Rarely do you hear teachers talk about their salaries. This is because for many, teaching is a passion and a special gift that they want to share with the world. Like everything else, teaching is a choice. No one is forced into this profession nor are they required to stay.
We teach because we care. We are Champions, Supporters, Advocates, Heroes, Fighters, and World Changers, who happen to be Teachers.
Why do you choose to teach?
Make it a great week or not. The choice is yours.
Niki Spears
Co-Founder
The Energy Bus for Schools Leadership Journey