Teachers, teachers, teachers... We love them! Their hard work is pivotal to the growth of our children's education and mindset. This is why us at Best Brains of Algonquin search relentlessly to find the best of the best to teach our Math, English, Coding, and Abacus classes. However, teaching is not exactly what everybody thinks it is. Here are 5 common misconceptions about teaching and all that it entails – as well as how Best Brains of Algonquin combats these myths to create the optimal teaching experience!

1. "Teachers don't work over the summer."

About 18% of teachers have a second job aside from their primary career. Many teachers opt to run summer school classes, summer programs, or any other part-time jobs to compensate for general underpayment. Additionally, some teachers attend programs for teacher training, workshops, and professional development. Along with this, they are often required to attend back to school meetings while also developing lesson plans for the year.

Best Brains of Algonquin has classes year round except for the occasional holiday break, so our teachers have year round work!

2. "Teachers get paid vacations."

On average, school teachers get about 10 sick days per year. Teachers are often presented with the option of being paid over the 12 months of the year OR just over the months of the school year.

Best Brains of Algonquin pays our teachers hourly to ensure they get their fair share. Additionally, we always have equally amazing substitute teachers on hand in case a teacher ever needs to miss classes.

3. "Teachers never take students’ behaviors or attitudes personally."

Teachers have thick skin. They can handle it all; all of the side comments, bickering, awkward moments...

Not quite.

Teachers are human too. They are constantly needing to take whatever is thrown at them in a mature and respectful manner in order to be a good role model for their students. Kids really do say the darndest things, and teachers take the brunt end of that quite often. Teachers are required to figure out ways to maneuver difficult conversations, no matter how awkward they might be.

4. "Teaching is easy."

Sometimes, teachers are handed classes of 30 plus individuals – individuals with different brains, mindsets, circumstances, and learning styles. The real challenge of teaching is figuring out to make sure that each student is getting the best out of their education while also being able to work efficiently in the classroom.

Best Brains of Algonquin opts for small class sizes and low teacher-student ratios to ensure that each and every one of our students is getting an education that is catered to them!

5. "Everything teachers need to teach is provided for them."

Every year, school teachers spend on average about $459 on teaching materials. This is something that teachers are unfortunately often required to take upon themselves, but luckily for the teachers at Best Brains, we supply everything they need to provide the highest quality classes for our students!