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What Does a Teacher Do All Day

What does a teacher do all day?  I think a more appropriate question to ask is, what doesn't a teacher do in a day?

A teacher's day starts before the students even arrive.  The teacher has to make sure the classroom is ready.  This includes making sure there are enough copies of the assignments planned for the day, checking that all the needed supplies are accessible and making sure that their classroom is clean and in order.   I think that having a tidy classroom is very important.  It can be hard for students to concentrate if they are surrounded by clutter.

Once the students arrive the day really begins.  They usually start with reading, either individually or in groups.  Then the teacher will instruct on various subjects like math and writing.  There is generally a subject or skill they are focusing on for the week.  The students will go to specialty classes at some point in the day, usually in the afternoon.

Besides actual instruction, the teacher has many other responsibilities. Obviously they have to keep the students safe. I think it is important for the teacher to make sure students feel safe and that they can trust their teachers while they are at school.  Teachers have to work really hard to get to know their students individually and build relationships with them.  Teachers also spend a lot of time being mediators.  I don't think there has been a time where I haven't seen a teacher diffuse at least one argument between two or more students.

Teachers will also be asked to supervise recesses or lunch.  There is a rotating schedule for "bus duty" where they make sure students make it to their bus or whatever means they use to get home safely.

After the students leave for the day, teachers spend time grading papers, meeting with their teams and making sure that their lesson plans and classrooms are ready to go for the next day.

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