A prominent psychologist studied the teaching profession. She tallied the following raw data after observing a teacher for one day:
1 teacher. 178 students. 11 phone calls. 63 emails. 218 questions. 9 excuses. 2 disciplinary referrals. 68 smiles. 4 arguments. 27 late papers. 1 bathroom break. 3 meetings. 6 cups of coffee. 1 near fight. 2 belly laughs. 637 decisions. 1 hour of preparation time. 3 trips to the counseling office. 14 interruptions. 5 thank yous .. 167 assignments collected. 0 breaks.
The psychologist then presented her conclusions at the National Educators Conference:
“I have observed extreme highs and lows of teaching; I have witnessed within a teacher’s day periods of high energy, jubilation and happiness alternating with periods of severe anxiety, despair and hopelessness. It is my studied opinion that profession of teaching itself is clearly ... Bipolar. “
