As the grand finale of the 2013-2014 school year rapidly approaches, students become broken records: “Oh my gosh, I have so much work this weekend. I won’t have any time to myself,” or “I can’t believe my teachers assigned all the tests I have to take on the same day,” or “Ugh, I’m so over school, I could care less at this point” and so on and so forth.  But the bold statement that is constantly overheard is “Students have it so much harder than teachers”.  This timeless argument has been brought up, pondered over and debated by students defending their position until they were red in the face.  A concluding statement has never actually been answered to this dispute, but hopefully, we can all gain a new insight on the issue.

One common misconception made against teachers is that their work days are short-lived: 7:00-2:10 for only ten months a year. However, making that judgment wouldn’t put you father from the truth. Most teachers spend their time planning lessons for classes of 30+ students, making sure class incorporates all the information required by the syllabus given to them, while also merging the bigger ideas into the lesson and allowing students to make connections themselves.  And it’s not uncommon for many teachers to find themselves up at half past midnight, still grading homework, quizzes, tests, writing recommendations, and struggling to stay organized.  In addition, teachers are required by law to continue their education even after they receive their degree by taking formal college courses and attending workshops to stay up to date with their certification.  Considering the amount of teachers have cut out for them, it’s mind-boggling to think that many of them go home to take care of children, some of which are not more than a year old.

Mrs. Zorbach, a strong advocate in the English Department at Bel Air High School, can kindly vouch for the amount of labor involved in her occupation.  “My husband is a teacher and a coach as well, and trying to balance our schedules is difficult.  There are many days throughout the year when we do not get to eat dinner as a family or I miss putting our daughter to bed at night because I have obligations at school or [my husband or I] are at a second job.”

For a teacher, their major priority is to teach.  To be strongly educated in the area you teach is one matter, but to be able to convey that intelligence and have students engaged, retaining the information you’re giving them and being thoroughly excited about it. The amount of money one should receive for educating tomorrow’s generation and preparing them for the real world as well as potentially having an impact on their future occupation would blow their current salary straight out of the water.

Mrs. Zader, a proactive participant in the Math Dept. of BAHS, reflects on the “golden teaching moments” she has had with her students, current and former. “[It could be as simple as] seeing someone light up because they understand a math concept or they get excited because they can explain it to another [student]… [That] always brings me joy. Seeing excitement in a student’s eyes when they find excitement in their future plans and dreams motivates me to continue teaching.  To be able to see them grow throughout high school… helping them with recommendations and college decisions is very rewarding.  It is always great to hear from them and also hear that they are thankful for the math education they received at Bel Air High School.”

Some teachers go above and beyond the call of duty and assist in school activities, such as sponsoring a club or being a student class advisor or maybe is spotted on the sidelines of a field, coaching a sports team.  Such a responsibility is essentially, volunteer work.  Teachers arrange fundraisers, plan activities, hold meetings and attend various events, and more times than not, aren’t paid for their service.

It’s safe to say that students do have a difficult lifestyle to maintain.  With every class, there are different expectations to be met or different challenges you will face that sometimes leave you on the verge of tears.  It does not easy to know that the rest of our lives depends on these four brief years of our life and at the end of the day, the thing that matters the most is that one decimal place by your GPA that can make or break your acceptance into a dream college.  But our mentors we see every day certainly know the feeling, considering they had to be in our position in order to be where they are now.  But it does not, by any means, give us the obligation in any way, shape or form, to say that teachers have it easier.  And for those still not thoroughly convinced, perhaps the tables will turn and you’ll find yourself in their shoes.