Joseph Graham - contributed

Like many youngsters who study science-based subjects at school, Joseph Graham wanted to be a doctor. Today however, he is a teacher of chemistry and is thoroughly enjoying every moment of it.

Graham studied at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education in Portland before receiving a scholarship to study chemistry with education at the University of the West Indies. As fate would have it, a condition of his scholarship was that he teach for at least three years after graduating.

Rewarding experience

After completing his studies, Graham landed a job at Campion College where he has been teaching chemistry to grades 10 and 11 ever since. Though teaching was not his first love, Graham has no regrets. He told THE STAR, "It has been a rewarding experience. It's easy for me because I've always enjoyed working with children.

In fact, my goal was to become a paediatrician because I wanted to work with children. But, I'm having a good time."

Though new to the field, Graham has already had some wonderful moments. He said, "Every day is a new day. Every day something new happens. My most rewarding experiences so far are just instances of students being grateful. Just recently, I had some students who did well in their CSEC exams.

The response from students and their parents was just overwhelming. I got thank-you gifts and notes and that really stuck with me. On more than one occasion, too, students have told me that I am their favourite teacher. But there was one instance, where a boy told me that I was his favourite because I am smarter and more organised than some of his other teachers."

As with every job, there is at least one aspect of the profession that Graham does not like. He explained, " Before I entered the profession, I use to love marking and I thought that would carry over. I've come to hate marking. It's so tedious and never-ending and if I'm not careful, I'll end up marking at school and at home."

Pursuing medicine

Graham still has dreams of pursuing medicine, but for now he is content with being a teacher. "I am enjoying it," he said, "I guess when I get tired of it, I'll stop, but I don't know when that will be. That is why I don't mind teaching, every day is a new day and I like change. Every day presents a new challenge."

He continued, "It's definitely a learning experience, a very good learning experience. I've learnt so much from my kids."

For those who may be considering entering the profession, Graham advised, "It helps if you have a liking for teaching. It does make it easier. Not many people can grow to love teaching. One has to like working with kids to be able to like it and it's a lot of work. It's not just about imparting knowledge, it goes beyond the academic. You have to be a mother or father and a counsellor. It's a very demanding job."

He added, "The salary is not that bad anymore, in light if the increase that we just received, so it's a means of getting a fairly decent income and there is that sense of satisfaction that you get when you teach something and you recognise that your student has learnt the material. There is an expression that is indescribable. When I look at the CSEC results at the end of the school year, I get a sense of gratification."