We are a rare breed. Education majors are those people you see that seem to always be smiling, carry around massive tote bags, and usually have some sort of baked good with them. Our friends know how to deal with us. However, if you are dating one of us, you may be confused about some of the things you may experience. Don't worry, I've compiled an easy to read guide for you, and its not even in cursive!
1. We know standards.
We have standards for everything in life. Why? Because every single on of our lessons has to be connected to a standard. How does your lava diorama connect to the Science standards for 4th grade? We know exactly how to figure that out. How does your date compare to the Dinner Date Standards for college aged young adults? We know that too.
2. We will read to you, a lot.
Reading is incredibly important to education majors. We are the type that will go into a bookstore and head straight for the children's book section. Newbery, Caldecott, and Pura Belpré, we love them all. Whenever we get a new children's book, we will want to read it to you and then explain to you the full lesson we have made to go along with it.
3. We will want to help you organize everything.
As most of our jobs will consist of organizing student work, lessons, and assessment data, we love to keep things orderly. So don't blame us if we come into your house and start moving things around. Its perfectly normal and should wear off after the 3rd "Where did you put my notebook that was on my pile of papers on my desk? And where are those papers?"
4. We will jump to defend our major any chance we get.
Trust us. You don't want to get caught in a debate about education, standardized testing, tracking, or funding with us. We are fiercely defensive of our career choice and believe wholeheartedly that there is no other job that would make us as happy as this. If the education system is broken and you are complaining, but aren't doing anything to fix it.... don't get me started.
5. We will get almost too excited talking about our future jobs.
Ask your education major if they are excited to be in the classroom and you are bound to see a major smile spread across their face. We cannot wait to be teachers. Every Disney movie watched, every Boxcar Children book read, every Praxis passed has lead up to this. So, if ever the conversation gets dull with your loved one, simply ask them "What do you want your future classroom to look like?"