If I could go back...to the classroom

by Jen Chau

[dedicated to V and Crane]

If I could go back in time to my days as a teacher, I would do things very differently. Isn't it easy to say we would use a different approach years later, when we are wiser and more experienced!? I know...but a couple of good friends are getting their start as teachers pretty soon and I am putting my thoughts together in hopes that they (and any others) may benefit from the challenges that I faced.

Just to give you a bit of context...I was accepted into the New York City Teaching Fellows in late 2001. I had just finished up my first job after college working for a welfare-to-work program. My clients at that job were homeless men and women, most aged 40 and up, almost all in substance abuse recovery, and the majority ex-offenders. While it was tough work (emotionally), I had loved that job --

I started out as a job developer, helping each individual to secure a full-time job while supporting them as they also set up housing for themselves. Halfway through my time there, I became the Director, leading the program, creating curriculum around job readiness, and building out an aftercare program so that we were sure to continue giving support to our graduates even after their nine months with us in the program. I wound up leaving for two reasons. One, was that I started to realize that I wanted to come into this work at an earlier time. Meaning, I starting asking myself, should I be helping to educate our youth so that they don't get left behind by our systems in the ways that my clients had been? At one point, I was working with a 55-year old man who needed to be able to read job applications. I found myself actually helping him to read a kindergarten level book instead. I started to wonder if I should be with the kindergarteners...how do we let children grow up to be adults who cannot read? The second reason was one of principles. But that's a whole other story. :)

So, I decided to try out teaching. I had actually loved playing "teacher" with my brothers when we were younger (actually, maybe I just enjoyed the activity of telling them what to do -- I gave SO much homework), I absolutely adore children, and I think education is the most important thing in the world, so this wasn't a stretch. I was so excited. And take note: I was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. VERY. Remember that (Gosh, if I was a really bad filmmaker, I would have just put a flashing red arrow above the con man's head so that you realized he was trouble and expected the scene that was to unfold three scenes later)! I'm just saying...I was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Don't forget. :)

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My work day is about to begin, so I'll write more soon...Stay tuned to hear about my first week in school!

Comments

[JC]

Hello Jen:

I found your article through a Google alert which informs me of any activity about New York City Teaching Fellows. Otherwise, I don't think I would have ever read your moving words. Most striking is your title. It leaves me curious about why you might have left teaching. Your words are so sensitive and pro-teacher that I can only imagine the most common reasons for leaving such an important position. As a teacher I know the pay is dismal, and the discipline problems can be overwhelming. In addition, teachers put in overtime for which we're never paid, and we pay for needed supplies well beyond the $200 stipend. Added to the challenge is working full time while attending school full time, while in Fellows program. It was grueling, but many have hung in there because we just want to teach. I am looking forward to reading about your experience.

-QueensEducator@aol.com

PS: I'm from Cohort 3, and I began in 2000. And even if you've left the classroom, you are certainly an assest to any place you've decided to work--judging from your words. Take care!

[vee]

I'm dying to read part 2. Don't leave me hanging over here.

[Jen Chau]

JC,

Thanks for your comment and glad you found me via google alert. :) I appreciate your kind words. Believe me, leaving was a really hard decision. Sometimes I still think about teaching in the classroom, though I know that leaving was the best thing for me at the time. I will get into my reasons in my next post... :) Sorry to keep you waiting, but I hope you will check back and read more. I'm so glad that your experience has been a successful one, though challenging. Being a teacher -- in my mind -- is one of the hardest, yet most important jobs out there! I would love to hear more about your experiences!

jen

[Jen Chau]

sorry vee! :)
hope you like part 2.