I recently met with my cooperating teacher from where I will be student teaching, Rachel (Not her real name), a veteran of 5 years. She teaches debate, American Literature, and AP language. Through the few times we have met, it has become abundantly clear that her passion lies not with the content, but in the success of her students.  I liked her immediately. At our most recent meeting, Jeni asked me something that scared me, confused me, and made me want to hide a little bit. She asked me a question that no one has ever asked me before at any level of my schooling. She asked me, “Nate, what is your threshold for pain?”

Wow.

How does one answer this question? What is your threshold for pain? I have had my wisdom teeth removed – does that answer the question? I had my arm dislocated when I was a six – but I really don’t remember what that felt like, so that shouldn’t count either, right?

What is your threshold for pain?

Maybe she was more referring to my capacity for pain academically. I’ve pulled approximately 13 all-nighters in my academic career – writing papers, studying for multiple-choice tests, and memorizing lines from Shakespeare plays – but does this illustrate my threshold for pain? Does this help describe how much I can take?

What is your threshold for pain?

Perhaps she was referring to something else entirely. Conceivably, she was citing what I’ve heard many times before, from many different teachers – that teaching is the hardest job in the world. Perhaps she was referring to the profession where working 40-hour weeks would be a luxury, and not caring about your students is the eighth deadly sin. Perhaps she was referring to the profession where my paycheck will be an insult to paychecks, and so I’ll judge debate tournaments not only to be there for my students, but also to help make ends meet.

What is your threshold for pain?

I’m not sure. Maybe she was referring to all of these – maybe none of them. Either way, I start training to teach summer school this week. I guess I’ll find out how much threshold for pain I have soon enough.

I do know one thing though.  I’m excited to find out.