I've spent the last few days substituting English classes at my old high school, and I have to say, I don't know how these teachers do this every day for years. Years of desperately trying to teach these kids something to no avail (at least most of the time). I have so much respect for these teachers now. I never really realized how much there is to teaching at a high school: grading, budgets, textbooks, curriculum, unwilling students, and miles of red tape. I have little patience for it.
I have learned, though, that I have a unique set of interests. I love making copies, putting in grades, organizing, and even reading up on curriculum. What I really dislike is being put in front of a group of kids who are forced to be here every day, and would much rather be doing practically anything else, and be expected to teach them something. I hate trying to control that demographic, and I loathe trying to teach them something that I'm passionate about just to see them role their eyes and release loaded sighs. It's so infuriating to see such blatant disrespect for, well... just about everything.
If these kids actually cared, I wouldn't mind so much (at least in theory).
For example, the past few days the Juniors have been reading Hamlet and watching different performances of the text: 1996 film, 2009 BBC Performance, and the Mel Gibson film. I get really into this sort of thing. I love Shakespeare and cherish every (almost) performance I see of his plays. So watching these films with the class while reading the play was a ton of fun for me, but I was not met with the same enthusiasm. Most kids fell asleep during the movies, or were texting the whole time, which has been incredibly infuriating for me. I don't understand how you can have such a beautiful thing-- these amazing words and lines-- and sleep through it!
Suffice it to say, teaching is not for me.
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