Although teaching is typically seen as a fun and calm profession, many teachers say it comes with daily struggles that no students could even realize. Managing technology, grading papers, trying to keep students on task, and more are struggles educators have to face everyday.
Countless teachers stated that having to manage students with phones is the most difficult and frustrating part of being a teacher.
“It’s students with their phones. I never thought I would have to manage them as much as I do,” AGHS teacher said Mike Greenly.
Greenly expressed his frustration at the fact he believed students constantly waste time during class and aren’t eager to learn due to cell phones. Other teachers, such as Shannon Lemons, agreed with Greenly.
“My least favorite part about teaching is the way students are addicted to their electronic devices,” Lemons said, “Because of the addiction, they aren’t willing to participate as much. They don’t get involved anymore.”
The constant distraction students get through electronic devices constantly makes teachers and administrators feel disrespected and unheard.
“I would say the most challenging part is when kids talk when I am talking or have earbuds in, I take it as very disrespectful,” Ag department teacher Josh Rodriguez said.
Along with cell phones and other electronic devices causing distractions for students, pressure from school itself proposes challenges on teachers. Math teacher Justin Chappa said he finds this aspect of teaching very difficult.
“The worst part, I think, is trying to follow the pacing guideline that goes way too quick, ” said Chappa, “I always go too slow and then it is hard to keep up.”
The pressure of having courses and deadlines puts a toll on many teachers. Teachers constantly have to stress about how to teach the material thoroughly, but also quickly.
Another struggle of teaching that many teachers expressed was simply grading papers.
“For me, it’s grading papers. It is so time consuming,” another teacher Aaron Sue said.
Another struggle found with teachers was the struggle of wanting students to want to learn. Many teachers are passionate about the subjects they teach, and want their students to be too. However, many think it is difficult to find a student that even wants to learn.
“Trying to get students to want to learn for the sake of learning and not for a grade [is a challenge],” Katie Boos said.
With all of these frustrations being dealt with everyday, teachers at AGHS still manage to be inspirational and understanding.
Teachers still want students to succeed and will help them any way that they can; putting their frustrations aside.
Many students are unaware of how difficult teaching can be. Students need to become aware that their actions can affect their teachers.
If students learn to respect and obey teachers, a positive difference will be made at schools.
