As a little kid when people would ask, “Ryanne, what do you want to be when you grow up?” My answer was always the same. I did not dream of becoming an astronaut, a movie star, or the President. My goal was to become a teacher and that remains true today. As a sophomore English and education double major, finally moving beyond core classes, my enthusiasm about the future has only grown. I know that upon graduation I will have learned effective teaching strategies and will have developed a strong and diverse background in English. I have had the opportunity to study many of the works I will most likely teach in my future classroom. I know that I have selected the right profession, and that Villanova is preparing me well for this career.
However, it’s hard not to question my future when others doubt me. I am no stranger to comments like, “Good luck with that salary!” or “But the education system is so broken, do you really want to get involved with that?” or some strange comment about the horror that is high school students. The list goes on, and the doubts people think I should have are extensive. But here’s the thing: that is not what is important to me. It’s true that teachers don’t make an extravagant salary, but I know plenty of happy, healthy families with one or both parents who are teachers (my own included). Sure, the education system has its weaknesses, but it put me where I am today and I’m happy with the position that I am in. High school kids can undoubtedly be difficult, but that is true of people any age, so should I not work because the people I work with may be hard to handle? These arguments ultimately do not shrink my desire to become an English teacher, but they did make me question my desire for a long time.
These comments about my desired career path are frequently and very frustratingly coupled with comments about my major. When I share that I am studying English and education, I have been in situations where people question my judgment, or are even concerned for my future due to choosing this area of study. I am always surprised by this reaction because I think about where I would be if I had not been educated by the wonderful teachers I had along the way. Success in any profession would be very difficult without receiving a strong education, and receiving a strong education requires having strong educators who can share their knowledge with students. I hope to be half as talented as the wonderful teachers I’ve had over the years. I know that my hard work and dedication are worth the time that I have put in because of the experiences I’ve had through my own educational journey. Think about the math teacher who finally helped you figure out derivatives, or the Spanish teacher who spoke strictly Spanish in class which helped you learn the language better than you ever thought possible. We all have these moments with teachers, and it would be difficult to argue that our experiences in school didn’t shape our lives in some way.
The bottom line of my argument is this: my major is my major, and my desired career is my desired career. I’m not a nursing major because I still panic at the thought of getting blood drawn, I’m not an engineering major because calculus gives me hives, and I’m not a finance major because I need someone else to figure out how to split the bill when out with a group at a restaurant. I have chosen my major and my career based on my strengths, my interests, and what will make me feel more fulfilled. A person’s major is their personal decision, so if you ever feel called to question their choice, remember that all majors have their own obstacles and have their own version of success. To feel successful, I know that I want to be doing something I enjoy and something that is truly helping others. Teaching fits the bill, and I am looking forward to beginning my life in this profession.
