I'm not a classroom teacher

A lot of times when people find out I have a master's in education they assume I want to be a teacher. Usually by "teacher" they mean a traditional classroom teacher. Someone who stands in front of a class of 25+ students (that's being conservative these days) and teaches them what they need to know. I am not a classroom teacher and I don't want to be one, and that's okay.

I wouldn't be a good classroom teacher. It's important to know what you're good at, but it's also important to know what you're not good at. I know a lot of amazing and talented classroom teachers and I will never be part of their ranks. When I see the dedication and passion they bring to their classrooms I'm always somewhat awe-struck, because I know I could never do that.

So why did I bother burying myself in student loan debt to get an education degree if I don't want to be a classroom teacher? Maybe it was just because five years ago I desperately needed a change and a challenge and it seemed like a good opportunity. Even in graduate school I knew I didn't want to be a classroom teacher like a lot of my classmates. I was interested in after-school programs and community-based education. I was, and still am, interested in educating from outside the system,

Also I need some downtime during my days to gather my thoughts. And I need to be able to take bathroom breaks. I don't like taking my work home with me. I know that's sort of an expectation nowadays, especially for teachers, but it's just not for me.

I was laid off from my job recently and some well-meaning friends have suggested I apply for vacancies in the Philadelphia school district. Others have asked me why I don't apply to schools in the suburbs. There are a few reasons, but here are two: 1) I have a Reading Specialist certification and there just aren't a lot of jobs for Reading Specialists. 2) I'm not a classroom teacher.

Teachers are highly trained professionals who aren't paid what they're worth and need to put in a tremendous number of hours to support their students. They often take the blame for failing schools and failed policies. I admire the teachers in my life for their ability to clear through all the bureaucracy and do what's best for their students. But it's too much pressure for me.

I know what I'm good at and it's not being a classroom teacher. It's okay to know what you don't want to do.