"Last time I taught I was like Robin Williams in Dead Poet Society, by which I mean I got fired" -Pete, 30Rock
It's been four years since Tina Fey played the memorable Liz Lemon in the show, 30Rock. Liz was a busy woman, making sure the crew of her show was taken care of, having scripts made on time, keeping up with her boss, and trying to have it all in New York City. As an education major, I've noticed our lives are just as hectic and unbelievably insane as this hilarious show. Here is what it is like to be an education major as told by the cast of 30Rock:
1. You truly believe you are going to change the world.
We all want to be that difference in every child's life and no matter who says we won't do it, we will go to great lengths to prove that we WILL be that change.
2. You are CONSTANTLY told "You won't make much money"/ "Those who can't do"
First of all, we don't live under a rock. We obviously know that the pay isn't that great, but we want to help children and teenagers learn more and value knowledge so much that we are willing to go into a field that doesn't pay us how we should get paid. We will be just fine, and you should be happy that there are people in the world that are willing to go into this field knowing the pay is terrible. Second, I "can do" thank you very much. In fact, I can do so well that I'm teaching it so that everyone can do it just as well!
3. The beginning of the semester is a holiday because you get to buy school supplies
We all know that buying notebooks, highlighters, and other organizing supplies is probably the best part of every semester. Buying school supplies is basically a holiday.
4. You realize you spent a little too much money on supplies
Sometimes we can spend more on supplies than our textbooks
5. Coffee is the only way you survive.
Of course, coffee is your life; it has to be when you are waking up at 5 or 6 in the morning because you're taking 8:00am classes in order to get used to what it'll be like to be a teacher.
6. You wake up early on the weekend because you've gotten used to waking up early all week.
Sleeping in means sleeping until about 7:00am and if we are really sleepy, we won't wake up until 7:30.
7. Realizing you get to go observe at schools and see teaching in action
Going to schools and immersing yourself in the educational experience? YES PLEASE!
8. Realizing you have to write the observations when you get home
Writing 3 pages per observation of what I saw and how it relates to the curricular framework? Not today, please.
9. Getting sick in the middle of the semester
It happens to all of us, and we might as well get accustomed to it because it's probably going to happen while we are teachers, too.
10. Getting hangry at 4:00pm because you ate lunch at 10:30am
Our schedules aren't normal. We don't have the luxury of eating lunch at 12 or 1 because we are too busy in classes, at schools, or writing lesson plans.
11. Trying to get that workout into your day
After all we've done in one day do you think we want to burn ourselves out further? A good walk and some ice-cream is all we need to keep us going.
12. Meeting with your advisor is like a business deal
"Hello advisor, let me convince you as to why I should be able to take four English classes this semester so I don't have to take them during the semesters that I observe".
P.S. I'm doing this right now and passing all four of them with A's ...for now.
13. Seeing teenagers at the mall / grocery store / public places scares you
Quick, hide! Seeing teenagers anywhere but in a school is just frightening.
14. Pretending everything is going to be okay
The semester is coming to an end and everything is due! That's okay, just shove all the emotions down and everything will be fine...right?
15. Looking insane at the end of finals week
By the end of the semester, we have gone crazy. Luckily, everything is turned in now.
16. Praying for a passing final grade
We know we did well, but it never hurt to ask for some help from the Man upstairs.
17. Getting a passing grade in the class
You knew you had this in the bag from the start, but go ahead and give yourself a clap because you deserve it!
18. Celebrating with a nice drink at the end of the semester
Go ahead and grab that scotch, wine, or whiskey (in my case) and toast to another great semester and one semester less before you start teaching... then we'll talk about changing this tradition to a more weekly basis.
