Teaching, A profession, and more
After I completed Nigeria's Certificate In Education (NCE) a few years ago, I didn't relent but went into the labor market looking for what to do to survive. I traveled out and did different jobs but after some time, I returned home. I tried learning a skill but it seemed like it was not the right time.
There was so much pressure on me, I needed money to settle my bills and you know parents, as soon as you are done with school, they expect that you should be able to cater to your needs, and all supplies will cease.
I couldn't stay long to learn a skill because I needed money, and you know while learning a skill no money comes in.
In Nigeria, the common job available for graduates is teaching in private schools, you either take it or dump your certificates and work as a sales boy or sales girl, if not security. I believe those of you from Nigeria will attest to this. Although I did NCE, my line is education but I never liked teaching for the fact that I am not skilled at speech and I am a fast talker and I stammer if I talk for long.
But I was pushed to the wall by my ever-increasing needs which intensified when my Dad passed on, so I took the nearest available teaching job.
I used to think as if teaching was the worst occupation on earth but as I joined the field, I discovered that it's the best amongst all. It's just so unfortunate that the salary is nothing to write home about.
It's one job that allows you to build, develop, and establish another person. At first, I went into the job with the mentality of making money but when I was paid half my salary the first month and a half subsequently, I knew I was there with the wrong mindset.
Things Changed when I began to love the job because of my students, it made me feel like a father, interacting with those kids, showing them what to do and what not to do, and also impacting knowledge on them made it fun.
But I won't lie, sometimes I get bittered when I am not paid LoL. I need money to transport myself to work, I need money to eat and to wash my clothes. so anyhow money is involved.
My profession deals with building, we lay the foundation for every other profession in the world. As teachers, we impact knowledge, we bring awareness, we make corrections, we chastise and we love.
Most people think that teaching is just about imparting knowledge, but no, teachers do more than that, a teacher doesn't only give knowledge but builds a child. Every teacher, regardless of his or her age is a parent, the moment children leave their homes to school, their teachers become their parents.
The teacher will do both the work of imparting knowledge, discipline, imbibing morals, and even more to the students using tools like chalk, blackboard, textbooks, canes for discipline, words for communication, etc, We build almost everyone you see in the society. Every profession came out of us.
Now for the question as to whether I love to continue the job or not if I have the chance, my answer is YES
My proprietress is such a nagging woman, she is a sweet soul but she lacks how to appreciate the effort of people. Sometimes I go the extra mile to work without demanding for extra fee but she just doesn't see it.
She made teaching frustrating to me, all my stay in her school was because of my students, I love them but last year, I left, I had enough. She has been calling me to resume but honestly, I can't. I don't like it when people take my simplicity and loyalty for granted.
Teaching is still the available job right now, I am thinking of looking for another school to start with, although I am scared because of my previous experience.
But I am missing the profession because of the love I have for it. Gosh! I missed that moment when I was teaching and the class flowed along, moments when you see your students exhibiting the virtues you taught them, it's just so beautiful. This makes my answer yes, LOL. If I get a nice school that respects and appreciates its teachers, I would not hesitate to write an application to them.