Job Discussion Forums

BethMac · Joined: 23 Dec 2003 Posts: 79

I love what I do and I hope the money will follow. If not, I will just marry a rich man. (Kidding! Laughing

)

I started teaching EFL for the adventure of it and for the teaching experience. I wanted to see if a teaching career was right for me. What I discovered was that teaching ES/FL is right for me, not just teaching.

@Lynn...you only make $12/hr? We need to talk, girl! Wink

Deborann · Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2004 5:36 am Post subject:

Ages and stages, mixed with basic philosophy of life. Each age (and level of responsibility) brings with it a different focus - young single and mobile - the adventure is a good enough motive. Older and with children to support and educate - start looking for more $ and stability. Older again and it differs - want to watch the grandkids grow up = stability, want to explore yourself again - hit the adventure/travel trail again.

HOWEVER, your basic philosophy of life will determine how each of these ages and stages pans out. If you have always believed dying with the 'if only's' on your lips is not the way to go, then even with higher levels of responsibility you will make opportunities to go skiing rather than add to your asset base.

My philosophy is that I nutured and educated my children to adulthood - I invested in them during their youth. They now do not need to inherit major assets. I now get to play with any money still lying around Very Happy

Dr.J · Joined: 09 May 2003 Posts: 304 Location: usually Japan

This all seems a little depressing to me, but then it's winter so maybe just seasonal disorder or something.

Well, I came to Japan on the 'counting countries' tour, but looks like I'll end up here for a few more years, maybe get into translation or something.

I like EFL, but it's a very psychologically involving job, like being a doctor. You can't just 'work', you have to actually be enthusiastic all the time in class or your lessons will fail. In addition all your students leave! What a tough job when all the people you get to know go away.

Like most people I try to find a balance between love and money, though I also value the independence that my career choice allows me. It's just freedom, which I suppose is a form of power?

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Being a teacher is like being a policeman(or policewoman). Never of Duty. How many times have you seen something on tv or the internet (this forum!) and thought Hmm. How can I adapt that for my class.
Or is that just me?

johnslat · Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2004 11:09 am Post subject: Arms and the Man

Dear dmb,

"Being a teacher is like being a policeman(or policewoman). Never of(f) Duty."

Funny you should mention that; I've been thinking the same thing myself recently. Of course, one big diffrence between being a teacher in the USA these days in far too many places and being a policeman is that, this time, as a policeman, I'll be armed, too.
Regards,
John

BethMac · Joined: 23 Dec 2003 Posts: 79

Are you really going to be a police officer, John (Joan? Jane? Wink

)?

Now there is the one job I could *not* do!

johnslat · Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2004 12:22 am Post subject: I'm officially sane - sure I am

Dear BethMac,
It certainly looks that way. Had my "one-on-one interview" with the psychologist today and was declared sane - tee hee. All that's left is the medical exam on Monday, and, since I just had one at the VA about a month ago and everything was fine, that shouldn't present any difficulty.
I don't think I'll have a problem doing the job (assuming I get through the academy), and, to tell you the truth, I consider it important work (as I did teaching). Any employment in which there's a probability that you're going to be able to make a difference, to affect people's lives for the better, is worth one's best effort, I'd say. Besides, I suspect they need a liberal with a slightly wacky sense of humor on the force. From what I've seen so far, such individuals may be a little thin on the ground among the ranks of the New Mexico State Police.
Regards,
John

BethMac · Joined: 23 Dec 2003 Posts: 79

Do you get to carry a gun? Shocked

johnslat · Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2004 2:34 am Post subject: Oh, shoot

Dear BethMac,
Upon graduating the Academy, I'll be issued:

1. a 357 Glock semi-automatic
2. a Colt AR-15
3. a 12 guage shotgun

Oh, and I get (among other things) a first-aid kit, too. Don't see why I'd need one, though.
Regards.
John

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

i think you're going to have to change your moniker to "Dirty John", pun not intended.

johnslat

Dear Gordon,
Thanks - you just made my day.
Regards,
Dirty John

BethMac · Joined: 23 Dec 2003 Posts: 79

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Hey John, I went ahead did I?

johnslat · Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2004 6:21 pm Post subject: Have another shot

Dear Gordon,
"I know what you're thinking. Did he fire six shots or only five? Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement, I've kinda lost track myself. But being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya punk?"

Yup, you went ahead - and you WERE lucky. I don't get any weaponry for about another 6 months. But on the other hand, forget 5 shots or 6; I'll have 15 (and, the way I shoot, I'll probably need every darn one).

http://www.glock.com/g32.htm

Regards,
Dead-eye John

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

15 shots

Thanks John. Good luck in your training.