Every teacher probably asks himself time and again: Why am I a teacher? Do the rewards of teaching outweigh the trying comments? Answering these questions is not a simple task. Let's see what the author says.
也许每位教师都一再问过自己:为什么选择教书作为自己的职业?教书得到的回报是否使老师的烦恼时刻显得不值得多谈?回答这些问题并非易事。让我们看看本文的作者说些什么。
Why I Teach
我为什么当教师
Peter G. Beidler
彼得·G.贝德勒
Why do you teach? My friend asked the question when I told him that I didn't want to be considered for an administrative position. He was puzzled that I did not want what was obviously a “step up” toward what all Americans are taught to want when they grow up: money and power.
你为什么要教书呢?当我告诉一位朋友我不想谋求行政职务时,他便向我提出这一问题。所有美国人受的教育是长大成人后应该追求金钱和权力,而我却偏偏不要明明是朝这个目标“迈进”的工作,他为之大惑不解。
Certainly I don't teach because teaching is easy for me. Teaching is the most difficult of the various ways I have attempted to earn my living: mechanic, carpenter, writer. For me, teaching is a red-eye, sweaty-palm, sinking-stomach profession. Red-eye, because I never feel ready to teach no matter how late I stay up preparing. Sweaty-palm, because I'm always nervous before I enter the classroom, sure that I will be found out for the fool that I am. Sinking-stomach, because I leave the classroom an hour later convinced that I was even more boring than usual.
当然,我之所以教书不是因为我觉得教书轻松。我做过各种各样的工作籍以谋生:机修工、木工、作家,教书可是其中最难的一行。对我来说,教书是个会令人熬红眼睛、手掌出汗、精神沮丧的职业。说熬红眼睛,这是因为我晚上无论备课备到多晚,总觉得备得还不充分。说手掌出汗,这是因为我跨进教室之前总是非常紧张,自信学生一定会发觉原来我是个傻瓜蛋。说精神沮丧,这是因为我1小时后走出教室时,确信这堂课上得比平常还要平淡无味。
Nor do I teach because I think I know answers, or because I have knowledge I feel compelled to share. Sometimes I am amazed that my students actually take notes on what I say in class!
我之所以教书,也不是因为我认为自己能够解答问题,或者因为我有满腹学问,觉得非与别人分享不可。有时我感到很惊异,学生竟真的把我课上讲的东西做了笔记!