I cannot even begin to explain how enjoyable and fulfilling being a preschool teacher is. Aside from the obvious fact that it is such a joy being with kids, there is that certain feeling of pride seeing your "kids" grow -- learning to identify colors, shapes, letters; knowing YOUR name and calling it out; hearing from parents that the kids look for you or mention your name at home.
Of course, I cannot deny the fact that my world is totally, and I mean totally different from the oh-so-chaotic-crazy-but-fun advertising world I came from. People ask me to compare, but the truth is, they are just so different that you cannot.
But to give you an idea of how different my world is, read on:
1. Office hours are now school hours. Before, I could come in at 10am. Now I HAVE to be in school by 8:30am. Now my class is dismissed by 11am and I stay in school until around 3pm to prepare for my class the next day. Whereas before, more often than not, I could not tell what time I'd get off work.
Of course, I cannot deny the fact that my world is totally, and I mean totally different from the oh-so-chaotic-crazy-but-fun advertising world I came from. People ask me to compare, but the truth is, they are just so different that you cannot.
But to give you an idea of how different my world is, read on:
1. Office hours are now school hours. Before, I could come in at 10am. Now I HAVE to be in school by 8:30am. Now my class is dismissed by 11am and I stay in school until around 3pm to prepare for my class the next day. Whereas before, more often than not, I could not tell what time I'd get off work.
2. Pay-cut. A major one at that. My monthly salary is not even half of what my transportation/gas allowance used to be. But the hugs & kisses from my kids, seeing them laugh and enjoy class is priceless.
3. Officemates are now called co-teachers. Instead of calling each other by our first names, the noun "teacher" has to be attached to it, always -- primarily to help the kids address us this way.
4. From cubicle & boardrooms to a classroom. I work on my teaching aids inside the classroom. Mostly, on the classroom floor. It's easier.
5. From Client POWOW meetings to faculty & parent-teacher meetings. And they don't happen everyday! And hardly any surprise meetings. These are scheduled way in advance.
6. From creative briefs/advertising & marketing plans to lesson plans. Unlike the former, lesson plans are prepared on a weekly basis -- you know, taking your time and not "overnight".
7. From Client presentations to "show & tell". Now this happens EVERYDAY. I put up a "show" for my kids every single day.
8. From business pitches to role playing. I don't need to convince a potential Client to give us their business, but I have to convince my kids that I am one of the 3 little pigs, or the witch, or what have you. I don't know what's more challenging. But the latter sure is more fun!
9. From proximity cards to bundy clocks. I just find this funny.
10. From mini skirts, spaghetti straps & high heels to jeans, t-shirts (with sleeves!) and sneakers. Oh plus the PE uniform every Friday. Not a problem at all, except for the t-shirts with sleeves part because I don't have much of those (an excuse to buy new shirts!).
11. From computers & sign pens to blackboards, cut-outs, coloring pages, chalks, clay & crayons. Oh, so much fun! Clay molding can really be relaxing (this is one of my favorite activities!) And I get to do my water color painting hobby more often now!
12. Short nails. Obviously, you can't keep them long, lest you send your kids home with scratches or poked eyes. This only means more frequent visits to my nail spa.
13. Planned vacation leaves. Since consistency is very important to pre-school children, packing up for a vacation at a moment's notice is not permitted. Now my travels have to be planned WAAAY in advance so the kids can be exposed and be familiar with and warm-up to the substitute teacher as early as possible.
14. Free daily workouts. I don't need to go to the gym regularly. I get my exercise with all the jumping, running, carrying (kids & toys) I do everyday. And believe me, you break-out in sweat even in an airconditioned classroom.
15. Rewards. I used to get a promotion or a hefty salary increase when I did my job well. Now, I stick happy face sticker, draw or stamp a star on the kids' hands to let them know that they did a good job in school. And I, in return, I get hugs, kisses or thank you notes from my kids. Oh, and I get stickers too!
I think I have come to that point in my life where think I've done and experienced most everything I could to enjoy life (yep, believe me, i've been there, done that). Earned more than enough to provide for my family and myself. Now, I believe, I am feeding my soul. I have found a priceless thing that nourishes my being and the happy feeling I get from this, I think, will forever be unmatched.
It's just a different kind of high.
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