In friendly conversation, people sometimes ask what I do. When I tell them one of the ways I earn income is by creating and selling lesson plans online, a common response goes something like, “Wow … that seems kind of lazy for the teachers to just buy lesson plans. I always thought that was part of their jobs… but I guess that’s cool you can earn money that way.”
After 10+ years of teaching, I burned out and went to work for an entertainment company in Burbank, CA as an administrative assistant. My desk was a famously busy one at the studio, but it was basically a huge volume of relatively simple tasks. Doing work with such low stakes was such a relief to me. At the end of the day, I got to be done. I could go home and have a life outside of work. It was bliss.
To the devil and his advocate, I say:
Yes, my co-worker’s lack of experience planning presentations would put him at disadvantage time-wise. He, however, also has a great number of advantages to consider:
Incidentally, I do agree with my co-worker’s number. It does take about 30+ hours of work to plan a one-hour lesson that is thoroughly engaging and addresses content standards in a deep and meaningful way for a diverse group of students. The whole-class instruction model my co-worker would use in his department meeting is the easiest kind of lesson to plan, in my opinion. Small-group, differentiated instruction requires even more time and careful planning.
By the way, since leaving teaching, I’ve not paid for a single marker, pen, stapler, piece of copy paper, or anything else needed to do my job. Not even once.
Regardless of the field or task, one considers the goal and the best methods to achieve it. Cancer doesn’t care how unique or “homemade” the doctor’s treatment plan is; it only matters that it works. Teachers who buy lesson plans are applying the same logic: when the best tools to help their students succeed already exist, they don’t hesitate in using them. That’s not lazy; it’s smart and it’s effective.
Linking up with some great bloggers this month — check them out:
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photo credit: the mustachioed unicorn : tshirt painting, torbakhopper, castro, san francisco (2013) via photopin (license)
photo credit: King George Military Hospital, 3rd floor theatre, Dr. Barrington Ward and Dr. Lillian via photopin (license)
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Tamaralynn @tarheelstateteacher says
This is just so good. I'm so glad someone with a teaching background also has the corporate/"real-world" job to compare the profession to. The pressure (as you've described in both settings) is just NOT THE SAME! I agree that having all these resources at our fingertips 10 or 11 years ago may have made all the difference. We just have to remember–many lives touched while we were burning out, we were lighting their flames. I am so proud of you for writing this! Bravo Kerry!
feelgoodteaching says
Thank you so much for leaving this comment. It was definitely cathartic to write; I wish I had done it years ago! Maybe next time I run into this problem, I'll just ask for the person's email address and say, "I'm going to forward you something to read. Then let's continue our chat!" 🙂
Maren says
I've bookmarked this and I will be sending it to all the idiots.
feelgoodteaching says
I sincerely hope you don't find yourself needing it! 🙂
Deann Marin says
So true, Kerry. You did such an awesome job writing what so many of us are feeling.
feelgoodteaching says
Thanks so much, Deann! 🙂
Print Path says
From my heart to your pen!
Thanks for your fabulous insights and humor in telling this story!
feelgoodteaching says
Thank you! 🙂
Kerry Antilla says
Kerry,
Thanks for the article! You don't know how much I needed to read this, as I contemplate more planning or finishing laundry.
feelgoodteaching says
Thanks, Kerry! Hope you find time to do all the things you need to as well as the things you'd like to do! 🙂
Kathie @Tried and True Teaching Tools says
Oh my goodness, I LOVE this post, Kerry!! Well said in every way! Love your responses, the math, and your points! (I can picture YOUR voice saying all this; lol) Thanks for summing up what we teachers all feel!!
feelgoodteaching says
Haha! Love that you can hear it in my voice! That guy got an earful, that's for sure! If I recall correctly, I actually took out my phone calculator at the lunch table to do the math with him on the spot! Once a teacher, always a teacher! 🙂
Unknown says
This is EVERYTHING! Thank you for writing this, makes me feel like I have some ammunition next time one of those poor souls says, "lazy!" Seriously though, this is very well written and perfectly sums up a teacher's life.