Often times people who go into the field of education in hopes to be teachers are thought of as "crazy" for wanting a job where the pay is so low but the job is so time consuming and difficult. I'm writing this today, to explain why I decided to become a teacher and why I've accepted the fact that my pay won't be very high.
"Instead of making money, I chose to make a difference." Ever since I was in elementary school I wanted to be a teacher. For some reason, young children would always cling to me. Wherever I'd go kids would come up to me and want to play. I specifically remember when I was in eighth grade and I had to do a project where we had to go out and teach kids about recycling. My group went to an elementary school and taught kindergartners. When my teacher saw the video of us teaching, she noticed how much all of the kindergartners loved me. They all wanted to hold my hand and they all wanted me to play with them. I remember my teacher telling me "you should be a teacher someday, kids love you." I also remember a time where I helped out in a preschool classroom for a couple of months. The preschool teacher told me I would make a great preschool teacher someday.
It made me feel good to hear things like that. I knew I was good with kids; it was my knack. However, it made me feel good when other people noticed it too.
Now, the reason I want to be a teacher is indeed to make a difference. I believe that teaching is one of the most important, inspirational, and best careers anyone could ever pursue. As I have worked with my toddlers I have already noticed how much of a difference I have made in their lives. They come to me for comfort, to wipe away their tears, and to give them hugs. As I am working toward my degree and license to someday have my own classroom in an elementary school, I have begun to realize how much of a difference I will make in my future students lives.
Being a teacher isn't just about teaching students math and reading. It's about being there for them and supporting them not only academically but in every other aspect of their lives. Being a teacher is helping them through their struggles, offering advice, and helping them to become the best that they can possibly be. That's why I want to teach. I want to make a difference and inspire my students. I want them to remember me when they're all grown up with families of their own. I want them to look back at their past teachers and think to themselves "wow that teacher really made a positive difference in my life." So yes, instead of making money, I am choosing to make a difference, and I am perfectly happy with that.
