I am an early education major. Normally, when I say this aloud to another person, I receive an expression of apology. This expression is otherwise known as the “good luck finding a job” expression, the “you must not be very intelligent” expression, or the “you’re selling yourself short” expression. I usually just continue the conversation, agreeing with that person, and go on with my day. What I should say is that I’m proud and excited for my future as a teacher, and I work hard for it. It’s about time I speak up.
It’s disheartening to hear others tell you about the lack of job opportunities available in the early education field. It’s also troubling that others find the audacity to imply it takes little skill to be a teacher. It takes a certain kind of person to handle spending up to eight hours with young children, teaching them most of what they know across subject matter areas, and even in life skills. I usually just assume the people who tell me I’m selling myself short had their own terrible experiences with teachers. Most people, however, just think that becoming a teacher is easy. For those who know me personally, they think that I’m selling myself short because it takes so little time, effort and skill.
What people don’t know is what it actually takes to become a teacher. We do not spend each day talking about children’s books, and coloring in pictures. Yes, in some classes we occasionally get to create arts and crafts, but that’s not all teachers do. We spend tireless hours creating lesson plans that will meet the needs of individual students. We spend days on end studying each and every subject matter area. We spend all of our free time observing and student teaching in classrooms. And, we take numerous certification exams – difficult and expensive exams.
Despite the hard work, I cannot wait to become a teacher. I am not selling myself short. I know I’m not selling myself short because each time I make a breakthrough with a student, teach a lesson or read a story aloud, I am even more excited for my future. I do not care if it takes a while to find a job, because when I do it will be rewarding. I know it is not easy to become a teacher, but I am confident in my ability to do so. Finally, I am not by any means unintelligent because of my career choice. Good teachers are probably the most intelligent people I know. I may have chosen a path that seems easy to many, but it’s what I chose to do. I’m sick of people telling me I’m capable of so much more when this is my dream. The moment I have my own classroom, and my students walk in, I know that every opinion will mean absolutely nothing at all. I can’t wait for that day.
