Teaching is more than teaching

Some students think that being a teacher is an easy job: just giving out exercises and homework, punishments, and saying things they already know. This is a rather simple view of all that goes into it. In addition, there are many challenges that come with being a teacher.

One RSH teacher shared his usual routine from morning till end of the school day. He typically starts by printing out exercises and double-checking his topics for his classes. But preparation doesn’t mean class will go accordingly. “When I see that the class is becoming distracted or too noisy, I have a whistle with me to regain their attention.”

For less disruptive sounds, he uses a gong-like instrument. But if that still doesn’t work, as is RSH policy, after a warning, disruptive students are sent to the “Trainingsraum” (Detention Room), where they reflect on their behavior and why they shouldn’t repeat it.

The main challenges he faces in the classroom are students not completing their work, losing focus, and disrespecting the teachers. Additionally, there are times when teachers have to supervise two classes simultaneously, which can be stressful. 

“I haven’t experienced any burnout so far,” he says. “I find the breaks, such as holidays, to be sufficient for me to rest and recharge.”

But how about dealing with parents?  “Most parents, or at least half of them, are unavailable for meetings like parent-teacher conferences. Sometimes, speaking with parents is also difficult, because many don’t know what their kids are doing in class.

So, has teaching at RSH had a positive or negative impact on teachers’ daily lives?

He says school here has been positive. “I have great colleagues, and I always feel happy when I’m at home.” 

“One of my colleagues frequently comments on the good things I do, which I find really nice and motivating. She also encourages everyone to share the highlights of their day, which is a great practice.” He says, teachers learn from one another here and help each other along the way.

“Another teacher also gives positive inputs on our work or lessons, and I find that helpful and motivational.” Other teachers gave similar responses about how their school day starts.

“I have to be here before school and lesson starts for the students, which is normally at around 7:50 am, and before going into the classes I have to firstly prepare or sometimes print out the exercises for the day.”

“One of the first things I do is go to the copy room to print out the exercises for my class of the day and get them ready before thinking of doing anything else.”

Although teachers have to print and get the exercise ready for the lesson of the day, most of them also need to walk from the secretary office to the next building because they teach the lower grades, and that can be stressful sometimes.

“Most times after printing out my exercises for the day, I have to go over to the next building, because I teach the lower grades. They are in the second building, and that's sometimes overwhelming.”

Teaching is one of the most underrated and overwhelming jobs. Beyond teaching and preparation therefore, they’re also expected to do everything from imparting values to children and becoming better versions of themselves. And much more...

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