8 Things I learned From Majoring in Secondary English Education

8 Things I learned From Majoring in Secondary English Education

It’s been about a month since graduation.  After some reflecting, I’ve composed a list of some of the biggest takeaways from my major.

1.) The English language changes and adapts constantly.

I credit this knowledge to my linguistics class.  All languages adapt just as the world changes.  Take for example the word “literally.” It's not taken quite literal anymore.  The word “like” has become a natural filler word.  I probably say this at least 1 or 2 times every minute.  If you time-traveled back to the 80s, they would have no idea what a “selfie” is.  Part of being an English teacher is being aware that language will change.  We can’t stop it! 

2.) Today’s kids have it tough.

We are past the “millennial” age.  Social media is a part of their being.  Technology is the way they make sense of the world.  Need to spell a word? Ask Siri.  Need to talk?  You can just IM me.  Over 50% of them have illegible handwriting.  They can text just as fast as they can type.  While studying to be an English teacher, I realized that these students are in a world that is instant, anxiety-causing, and scary.  Students need to be taught how to center themselves.  They need patience and support.  It’s not their fault “they are the way they are.”  As a society, we must adapt and move forward.

3.) The “human” comes first, then the student.

Being a teacher is so much more than teaching your content.  High school is unique because the students are at a point in their life where decisions start to matter.  Cast aside our differences in interests and generational norms.  When it comes down to it, we are all still human.  I learned that a student needs to know that you care.  You could be the most knowledgeable teacher, but if you don’t take the time to communicate that you recognize the imperfections of humanity, what are you really teaching?  If a student is having a rough day, they aren’t going to function well if they are greeted with an activity involving direct and indirect objects. 

4.) Every school is different.

I have been placed in several different schools during my stay at Northern Kentucky University.  I learned that every school environment will be different.  There are a lot of factors that contribute to this.  School size, class size, amenities, the average age of the staff members, and even the scheduling makes a huge difference.  It takes some adjustment between them all if you move from school to school, but it really does grow your insight.  Although every school is different, they essentially have the same goal: teach students.  I learned there are so many ways to accomplish this same goal.  It all depends on the community, resources, and legacy of the school. 

5.) Just because you major in English, doesn't make you superior in grammar, spelling, or writing.

I may be putting my foot in my mouth (appealing idiom, huh?), but I admit it: I am a terrible speller.  However, it’s not my fault!  I am a part of this “new generation” of English teachers!  I can just look up how to spell a word with my voice.  Siri hears me and answers me.  Those red, squiggly, digital lines let me know when I have gone astray.  Sometimes it even auto-corrects for me!  They say that the best way to learn something is to teach it.  I live by this motto.  As an English teacher on the newer side, I’m still learning.  I’m fully aware of this.  I received my bachelors in English, so I can’t be that incompetent though, right?  Becoming a spelling and grammar wiz honestly takes time and practice.

6.) No matter the subject of the class, a teacher will make or break your experience with the subject every time.

I can’t stress this enough.  The teacher of the class is everything.  A teacher has the power to make you dislike a subject if they don’t run the classroom properly.  No matter if you are in high school or college, your interest in the subject will usually correlate with your liking for the teacher.  Now, you must give your teachers the benefit of the doubt.  Just because you get off on the wrong foot doesn’t mean that you will not eventually end up really appreciating the teacher.  I’ve had several people tell me that the teacher or professor I had was terrible, but after taking their class, I completely disagreed with their negative opinion.

7.) It’s impossible to know everything.

Sometimes there is this voice in my head that tells me “you aren’t smart enough to be a teacher.”  I keep having to remind myself that YES YOU ARE.  My cooperating teacher during my clinical experience told me that, even though you might feel this way, you know more than the students.  This has to do with self-confidence.  I still struggle with this.  I have to turn this into a daily affirmation.  There is always going to be another book to read.  It’s an unrealistic expectation for a teacher to know everything.  But that’s what makes this job fun.  If you constantly have the desire to learn something new every day, this is the best model for molding your students into life-long learners.

8.) Most people won’t understand your passion for such a “low-paying” job.

Education majors hear this a lot.  We are aware there are pros and cons to this job, but for us it's rewarding.  What’s better than a career that not only sustains you financially but also rewards you? Do teachers deserve to be paid more? Of course, but even though we advocate for this change, education majors have a burning passion and persistent responsibility for the next generation of leaders.  Besides, it might not be the highest paying job, but it’s not the lowest.  If a teacher doesn’t have a passion for teaching, they aren’t doing themselves or, more importantly, their students a favor.