Teaching is something I am passionate about. It is something I have wanted to pursue for as long as I could remember. Growing up, I would sit my dolls down, take their attendance and then proceed to give them a lesson on one of the many whiteboards I had in my room. My mom knew it, my grandma knew it, even I knew it, I was going to be a teacher.
This is my passion, I enjoy the classes I take and I am excited to learn. So? What seems to be the problem? Why do people have to constantly tell me that I am making a mistake or that I am not going to make any money. So many people these days think that a good major is only one that has a large monetary reward. That is totally not the case. I believe a good major is anything that makes you excited to learn. One that makes you want to get up and go to class every day. If you are picking a major because of the paycheck you will eventually receive, and not because it makes you happy, then you are the one making the mistake.
There is nothing more heartbreaking and discouraging than someone trying to persuade you to change your major. I do not think I have confidently told someone that I am an education major without bracing myself for the bashing I would get shortly after. It is never "Oh! You want to be a teacher?! Good for you!" "We need more people like you." It is always "Oh... you should really consider something else, anybody can be a teacher." "If you love kids so much, why not consider being a speech pathologist or a therapist?" Because Brenda, if I wanted to be a speech pathologist I would not have said I want to be a teacher. I am glad you think anybody can be a teacher though. You try waking up before 7:00 in the morning and teaching over 20 students daily. Most people probably would not last long but, of course they are the ones telling me that anyone can do it.
A teacher is one of the most underrated and under appreciated profession in the world. People believe doctors, lawyers and other professions deservingly earn more than teachers. Those are the same people who fail to realize where those doctors and lawyers come from. They are not born knowing how to perform brain surgery, they are taught by teachers. They are guided through their lives by teachers, inspired by teachers and motivated by teachers. Teachers have the power to influence their students in ways their parents can not, many students see their teachers' way more than they even see their parents. It takes a special kind of compassionate, patient person to be a teacher.
If you are one of those people that likes to tell education majors that they are making a mistake please, keep your opinions to yourself. 9 times out of 10 we do not care about what you think and we have probably heard it all before. What makes you think that some random person's opinion is going to alter MY plans for the future. Just think about how you would feel if someone told you or your child they should not pursue their dreams.
I am an education major and proud. Stop trying to crush my dreams.
