Reasons Teachers are like Celebrities (minus the pay):
1. No one actually believes we have a personal life.
Celebrities are often referred to and judged by the roles that they play, rather than by their actual names or personalities. Similarly, teachers are expected to remain in their classroom "role" 24/7. I have had students who thought that I lived in my classroom - which is cute. Sadly, some parents seem to think the same thing as well - which is not cute. I have to grocery shop, take my daughter to dance, attend church, and feed my cat too. I may FEEL like I live in my classroom sometimes, but I assure you, I do not.
2. We are the keepers of secrets.
Ok, so our big secrets aren't as glamorous as the ones about who cheated on who and/or got liposuction, like in Star magazine. But rest assured, your child's grades, cumulative folder contents, and IEP/504 goals are treated with way more confidentiality and discretion than that picture of Britney Spears getting out of her limo sans-undies was. Also, you will be glad to know that we don't make announcements about the things that your kids come to school and tell us about you. For example... Years ago, I told a kid to quit holding their breath or they would pass out. They said, "Pass out? What's that?" The child next to them pipes up, "Oh, that's what happens when you drink too much beer." Yup. THAT'S the kind of stuff your kid is saying at school. Keep THAT in mind when talking about US, thanks.
3. We guard our home address and cell phone number with a passion.
Celebrities do not advertise where they live or pass out their phone number. This is because they do not want uninvited guests or unsolicited phone calls. There's really not much of a comparison to have to spell out here.
4. We cannot go in public without being "sighted."
Actors wear hoodies, hats, and sunglasses when out and about. Your teacher probably does too. My husband used to tell me I was paranoid, that no one cared what I was doing or where I was going. 500 stories later about having my activities recounted to me at school every other time I leave the house, and he is now a believer in my justified paranoia. For example... If I go to the mall, I hear a list of which stores I went in the next week. If I go to the grocery store, I am regaled with a complete list of what was in my shopping cart within days. If I go out to dinner with my friends, I fully expect someone to be able to recite to me what I had to eat (AND drink....which is why I usually stick to water).
5. If we go off the grid, we will be tracked down.
If you're a teacher and have ever taken a leave of absence for any reason (maternity leave, knee surgery, chemotherapy, bereavement, etc.), then you know this: They will find you. You will be tracked down like the celebrity you are and they will report back to world what they have learned. I assume this is similar to what celebrities go through when they check into rehab.
6. People decide what we are like, without ever meeting us.
Much like we decide whether we "like" or "hate" a certain actor or actress, based for the most part on third-hand information - we do the SAME THING with teachers. People routinely decide who is or isn't a "good" teacher....without having ever had any personal interaction with that teacher in any way. I have heard parents complain about teachers they had never even met before!
*If you're not a teacher, then you're probably feeling a little defensive right now. Get over it. We're all guilty, so just walk away having derived at least the following:
If you spend too much time worrying about what others think, say, and do, then you are leaving yourself very little time to actually BE the person that you want others to THINK that you are.
♥M
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