If I stopped teaching, I worry people would think less of me | Ask Philippa
The question You said in a previous column that a person is not their job", which really resonated with me, because why do we define people by what they do? I'm wondering whether this is limiting my life. Whenever we meet someone, the small talk inevitably turns to And what do you do?" For now, I am ready for that question. I am a teacher.
Although there is satisfaction from the work there is also the mental load of overseeing not only the education of pupils, but increasingly their welfare, and I struggle to juggle responsibilities of family and work. I regularly think about packing it in for something that does not take up so much headspace. Being a teacher is how I have defined myself for 20 years. How could I square it with myself, if I had to describe myself with a non-professional job? I can't imagine saying I stack shelves" or I work in doggy daycare." When I try to discuss it with my dad, he says he would be disappointed because I like telling people you are a teacher".
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