Teacher reveals challenges of today’s teenagers, and how she gets through to them

A veteran teacher has revealed the challenges of teaching this generation of teenagers, and her trick to getting through to them.

My career as a high school teacher across WA has been varied and, for the most part, enjoyable.

I’ve worked at many schools either with the flying squad or in fixed-term positions but my current role is a permanent one, mainly because I have grandchildren here in the Pilbara and I’m trying to get in some precious grandma time while I work.

Education and teaching today is a love, but the dynamics of today’s teenage cohort can be challenging for new teachers. I have lost count of the younger ones leaving the profession feeling their university days were wasted on a teaching degree.

We have amazing young people in our students. However, teachers do not always feel supported, respected or valued.

Being an “older” teacher, I worry that the current system does not fit every student and it is frustrating when we try to fit round pegs into square holes. Success for any student must not be measured as a figure on a data sheet.

Megan Baker has revealed the challenges of teaching today’s teenagers, and her secret to get through to them.

As “adults” we sometimes forget what being a teenager is about and that they are in desperate need to have a voice. I take my hat off to this generation of educators guiding our future communities.

If I was to impart anything to those considering teaching, be willing to take some frustrations from a student, as these are always a result of an action, usually from outside school. I have yet to replace my missing teeth from taking the brunt of frustrations. Use humour, be human, just like your students. Take the time to sit and talk, you can learn a little or a lot about each other.

For some students, school is the safest place they have. I bake cakes for my classes and we discuss “stuff”. I wish I’d made a note of how many cakes I have made. It would be thousands. I recently met a past student at the dentist, she is a dental nurse, and after the initial squeals of excitement and hugs, she spoke of the cake sessions we would have. That was more than 10 years ago. I had a little weep on the way home.

She’s faced challenges as a teacher, but also finds parts of the job ‘heartwarming’.

Megan Baker has baked thousands of cakes for her classes.

Working in a mining town imparts a sense that we are an affluent community. Of all the places I have taught, this would be a standout, with children still coming to school without the basics to start the year.

This is also the most expensive place I have lived in. I have purchased shoes and school bags to assist in making a student feel valued as a “human”.

When I discovered the Give Write program (which provides essential school stationery to students in need and has been assisted by Officeworks and its Make a Difference campaign), I was over the moon.

When the boxes of stocked pencil cases arrived and were given to the students who had absolutely nothing, their tears, their joy, and sheer delight was heartwarming.

Megan Baker works as a teacher at Karratha Senior High School