By Mario Luna

We walk through the halls of school everyday and most of the time we are all on auto-pilot, every person you pass is just another person you know nothing about. We pass so many students we do not know the names of, we pass students that we do not necessarily care about or know at all, we do not interact with these people. There is a certain group of people many of us do know the names of, a group of people we do interact and know to a certain level that we pass every day at school without realizing or giving a second thought, that is teachers.

We see teachers every day, we hear teachers every day, whether it be they are teaching you, announcements or telling you to go to class, we keep note of teachers we dislike and like, but at the end of the day that’s really all we think of them, just teachers we see at school. Sometimes it is easy to forget that teachers are not just teachers, but people, with emotions, a life, people who care and know them at a much deeper level than we ever will. We forget they are real people, not just teachers.

Since we see these people every day, the question pops into kind of, what is it truly like being a teacher? What do these people go through, what do they think and who are they? It’s a topic that is not talked about often.

We know what teachers are and we see them every day, but we do not really know anything about them outside of surface level things, we don’t stop and think what they’re going through. Is it stressful? According to research from the RAND Corporation, teachers and principals report job-related stress at twice the rate of the general population of working adults. There is a very obvious stress factor to being a teacher and it does take a toll on one’s mental strength and requires healing and support to be in this field of work.

Curious about what it is truly like to be a teacher I decided to interview a teacher, in this interview I asked Passaic High School’s very own Mrs. Bolton a few questions on the inside of what a teacher thinks:

Mario: On a scale of 1-10 how stressful is it being a teacher, why do you choose that rating?

Ms. Bolton: On a scale of 1-10 I believe that being a teacher is stressful at the level of a 7. I choose this rating because I am able to manage stress comfortably, I make a lot of lists to organize myself, I spend time with my friends at work, I relax during my breaks, I only do one job at a time, and I use laughter and music as therapy to help me to cope with complicated times.

M: What’s something you wish students would understand about you?

Ms. B: I wish that students understood how much I really enjoy teaching. I wish my students knew that the knowledge they receive now will help them in the future. I wish my students knew that I am not a babysitter and am here to truly share my passion and craft.

M: Do you feel safe being a teacher at PHS, if not, what is it that makes you feel unsafe?

Ms. B: I do not feel safe at Passaic High School at times. I do not like students roaming the hallways, out of uniform, breaking rules, talking rudely to one another, fighting, disrespecting adults and their peers, and or using the N-word because I think that this lack of respect could lead to many other instances of disrespect of people, places and things which are hurtful to see and feel on a daily basis.

M: What are the upsides of being a teacher, what are the downsides?

Ms. B: The upsides of being a teacher is that I know that I am making a difference. I know this because there are countless students who have graduated who thank me deeply for all of my efforts. Another upside is that I know that I am an awesome role model for students who look like me. I was always taught that “you can’t be what you don’t see” so I am grateful to be a role model.

The downsides of being a teacher is that I don’t feel that people respect teachers in the way that they should. No matter what career that you are in you encounter a teacher which to me means that all teachers should be respected provided that they are great at their craft and truly adding to the value of one’s life. But, nowadays I believe that teachers aren’t respected.

M: I feel that teachers have a job that affects their free time outside of school and limits what they are able to do outside of just being a teacher, is this true? To what extent does being a teacher affect outside life?

Ms. B: Teaching does affect your time outside of school and limits what I am able to do outside of being a teacher because I am always being watched as a public figure. But, this is more helpful than harmful for me although there are limitations. I just know that I am constantly being watched while I am on my off time. I respect this role so I don’ t let it bother me too much although at times it can get to be a little intrusive.

What Do We Get From This?

From Ms. Bolton’s interview we get just a little dive of what teachers are thinking, it is an interesting kind of reality check, to realize these are not just teachers but people who feel, think, and go home to a life just like you. To gain understanding that teachers have lives and feelings can help one understand that these are not people to be taken advantage of, many of us owe thanks to these people for things like taking our work to grade when submitted last minute, something many of us have done. I find it appropriate to end this with a message from Ms. Bolton that I believe is a good message to all students who care:

“What I would like students to know is that I am a trained professional. My time is valuable and when I talk, I expect them to listen and respect what it is that I have to say as a professional. I would like them to know that I love what I do and I am passionate about my craft, so when they don’t take things seriously it is hurtful to me. I would also like them to know that respect is a given. If I offer respect, then my expectation is to get it back in return. I want them to know that I am real and this is real life to me, so I hope that they see my heart. I want my students to know that they can do anything that they would like to do in this world if they put their mind and action to it. I want my students to know that they can defy all stereotypes in this life if they choose too.”

Respect is another way of showing appreciation, so as we honor our teachers on teacher appreciation day, let’s take a moment to see that they are people, with their own lives, but sharing that life with us students to help make a difference in us, so that we can go out and make a difference in the world.