Dear everyone who told me I shouldn't,
There was a point in my life when I thought I shouldn't either. I always thought I could be a passionate teacher. Several of my friends even told me that I would make a great teacher. I loved being connected to the process of seeing people learn and flourish in their passions or new skills.
However, I am guilty of having a negative mindset about the teaching profession. I remember thinking I wouldn't be respected as a teacher. I believed that there were other more notable professions and education was something to fall back on.
And maybe you still feel that way too. I remember in high school, my friend once told me, "those who can't do - teach." It wasn't until after college that I realized how those who can do - teach.
Teaching isn't for everyone.
You can be as brilliant as possible about a subject but have no idea how to teach it.
I decided how passionate I became about the teaching field after seeing students grow. I came to the realization that educating was a type of intelligence, that only those who see the dedication in, should pursue it.
I have encountered countless people disrespecting the profession I feel passionate enough to hopefully achieve one day. The profession that I worked sleepless nights and studied endlessly for.
The profession that I hope can make a difference someday. So here is to the people that need to be enlighted. Hopefully, I can supply some explanation for the ignorance of your questions:
To the relatives at family dinners,
"Really? A teacher? But I think you're actually pretty smart."
Thank you for the compliment, but believe it or not, teachers can be pretty smart. Actually, you should hope and have faith they are intelligent since they are the ones spending all day educating your children.
To that one fraternity boy at the bar,
After actually asking me what I wanted to do with my life instead of what I was drinking that night, that said, "Every girl wants to be a teacher. I mean it's like the easiest major and then you just get to decorate your own classroom."
Contrary to your belief, not all girls want to be teachers, in fact, I know a lot of girls who want to be doctors, nurses, work for the FBI or own their own business.
Also, believe it or not, decorating a classroom isn't all I learned in my four years of "easy major" classes.
To my own teachers and advisors,
"Are you sure you want to do this? There's no going back. Well, if you're sure then..good luck."
Thank you and best of luck to you with supporting your students to follow their dreams and passions.
Yes, I am sure I want to do this, and I'll make sure not to "go back" on this decision because obviously, our future students will need teachers and advisors that support their dreams and goals.
After dealing with those who "told me I shouldn't," or "to think carefully about my decision," I have learned to take everything with a grain of salt. I have been fortunate enough to have influential and inspiring teachers that have made me passionate about educating.
I'll always be eternally grateful for my second-grade teacher, whom gave me the courage to read aloud during class, my third-grade teacher, whom held my hand when I cried after the girl in class made fun me for not understanding long division, and for the fourth-grade teacher, whom brought me to her desk during snack time with tears in her eyes to tell me how much she loved my poem.
I suggest those who disrespect or are ignorant to the importance of the teaching field, to recall their past teachers and remember the times where they learned more from them they thought they ever could - just like I did.
People don't become teachers for a backup plan, to receive all summer vacations, or to color all day.
We become teachers because we are passionate, patient and wish to create lifelong learners for the future generations in the world.
So to those who told me I shouldn't, think again about the reasons we should instead.