It is not uncommon to hear people say that educators do not understand or live in the real world. What exactly is meant by the statement is open to interpretation, but one thing is certain: a literal interpretation makes little sense. Of course educators live in the real world. Educators share the same life experiences as non-educators and face many of the same pressures, challenges, and other elements of reality experienced by most people in the workforce.
Presumably, the sentiment is based on perceptions that educators and other members of the education profession are separated from the forces, frustrations, and factors associated with other types of work. However, close examination dispels many of these perceptions. Consider these seven misperceptions that are commonly associated with educators and their work.
Perception #1: Educators don’t experience “real work.”
Fact: Teaching is real work. Teaching features many of the same pressures and challenges of other professional roles—in addition to elements that are unique to the classroom. Planning and delivering instruction, implementing accommodations and modifications, differentiating content to reach a diverse audience with a range of needs, and seemingly innumerable other tasks create schedules ladened with responsibilities. It is also common for educators to have jobs beyond their education roles in the evenings, on weekends, during holidays, and throughout summers. Often, these are part-time roles that give educators experiences with the issues and challenges that accompany other types of work. It is also true that many educators possess trade and technical skills that allow them to interact with and understand the realities of highly skilled and professional workers through part-time and limited-term engagements. All this is to say that not only is teaching itself real work, but it is also often accompanied by other work layered over it.
Perception #2: Educators don’t face real customers.
Fact: Educators regularly practice customer service, engage in conflict resolution, manage conflicting expectations, and deal with other human relationship issues. The days are gone when students, parents, and communities accepted what educators said and did without questioning. Educators must deal with unrealistic expectations, unfounded assumptions, and demands for special treatment, which are all common behaviors of customers.
Perception #3: Educators don’t have to compete.
Fact: Every day, educators must compete for the attention, energy, and commitment of students. The competition includes a wide array of powerful forces that constantly seek to distract, undermine, and refocus student attention away from engaging in and learning what educators present and are accountable for accomplishing. Educators’ daily competition is less about market forces and more about mental focus.
Perception#4: Educators are not experienced and informed about industries and careers outside of education.
Fact: Educators today have available a variety of means to learn about and engage in short-term experiences in industries that may or may not be related to their area of expertise. Technology tools offer a wide array of opportunities for educators to remain current, track contemporary trends, and discover future opportunities in varied industries and professions. Guest speakers, career exploration projects, internships, and job shadowing can also help students to bridge gaps in teacher experience and expertise.
Perception #5: Educators do not understand money.
Fact: Educators face the same financial realities as non-educators. Educators pay the same bills and have mortgages or pay rent. Debts from college are common. Typically, educators are not highly paid, so both spouses generally work. They save, invest, and plan for retirement. Some educators also operate side businesses to supplement their income. The list could go on, but one of many aspects unique to education is that educators often purchase resources for their classrooms and students out of their own pockets.
Perception #6: Educators are insulated and isolated.
Fact: Educators face the full array of challenges associated with families. They have children who excel and others who may face a myriad of issues and challenges. Like other parents, educators who have children have hopes and harbor worries about them and must balance their work responsibilities with their family needs. Educators also are members of the communities in which they live and work. As such, they participate in social activities, attend church, and engage with other local organizations and institutions. They are volunteers, part-time workers, and may serve in civic and governmental roles. These roles expose them to the day-to-day realities of the lives their students live. These are elements of the real world.
Perception #7: Educators are paid while not working in the summer.
Fact: The typical contract for most teachers compensates them for school-year work: typically, nine months. Summer is not compensated, even though many teachers have their pay spread over the full twelve-month calendar year. Some school districts contract with educators for summer work in addition to their basic contract. Additionally, educators typically use the summer months to take summer jobs, participate in additional education, or allocate time for other non-contract related activities. Because time off during the school year often comes at the expense of student learning, educators also generally schedule most or all their necessary appointments, medical and otherwise, during the summer months. Rarely is a teacher’s summer truly restful, and almost never is it without work.
Education is real work, and it takes place in the real world. Of course, there are aspects of the education profession that are unique—the same might be said of any profession. It is vital that we do what we can to dispel misperceptions that can undermine the credibility of one of the most important roles in society.
