As an education major, I have definitely heard it all. I am now a senior in college, and no matter how far I get in my program, I never seem to outgrow the warnings people have for me. I have genuinely heard it all; from "You won't make any money as a teacher," to "Are you sure that's what you want to do?", to people downright telling me "You may want to reconsider teaching." But I have never once considered not being a teacher. A teacher is not just what I want to be, it's who I am. It is what makes me... me. So, to all the people who have told me I should change my mind, out of love or lack of faith in me, I can't change my mind. And for every single reason you give me for why I shouldn't teach, I have a million more reasons why I should.
You tell me not to teach because I won’t make very much money at first.
Well, that may very well be true, and I am certainly not arguing that fact. But, luckily for me, I am not in it for the money. I am in it because I want to help change kids’ lives, like so many of my teachers changed mine. I want to share my love of English with my students, and help them to appreciate reading,writing and grammar as much as I do. I want to change lives, not change the size of my wallet.
You tell me not to teach because it’s hard, and because it has changed drastically over the last few years.
But, I know it’s hard. I have taken classes on how to deal with some of those complications that can arise in the classroom, and I have had experience with students with disabilities and behavioral issues. And no matter what, teaching is still what I love. I love the moment when a spark appears in a child’s eyes when they suddenly are able to understand something that they never could before. And as for the new policies, I know all about them. I have studied them pretty incessantly over the last two years. They are far more manageable for someone in my position because I never knew teaching as anything different. It is possible and the complications only make teaching all that more rewarding.
You tell me to consider a “Plan B” for when teaching doesn’t work out.
But I don’t have a backup plan and I don’t want a backup plan. Teaching is what I have wanted to do since the sixth grade, and it is truly the only thing I can see myself doing for the rest of my life. I will become a teacher, and I will be a great one at that because it is my dream.
You tell me not to teach because I won’t be able to find a job.
Well, luckily for me, I am willing to go wherever the jobs are. I am more than willing to work in an inner-city school district, or with students with special needs, because I greatly enjoy overcoming those challenges in the classroom. I am also willing to get a job wherever I can, and not just where I live or where I grew up. Jobs may be scarce right now, but I’ll find one because I am willing to do whatever it takes to make my dream come true.
Please don’t tell me not to be a teacher, and please don’t tell me I can’t be a teacher, because I can and I will. I will prove every single person who thinks I can’t be a teacher wrong. I will change the lives of my students for years to come. Don’t ever tell anyone not to follow their heart and do what they believe in. I’ve had some of the teachers who inspired me tell me not to teach, family members, and even friends. But luckily for me, my motivation comes from those who try to discourage me.
