I’m an elementary education major and I absolutely love it. I love writing lesson plans, I thoroughly enjoy grading, I look forward to spending a day a week in an elementary school, and I can’t wait to student teach full time in the spring. Being so excited about your major is something that everyone should experience; we’re talking about the rest of our lives, people! I have wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember and I can’t imagine doing anything else.

However, there is one thing I don’t love about my major (and future profession): the responses I receive whenever I tell someone I’m majoring in elementary education. These responses often range from praise to disgust, and I never know which one to expect. The stigmas and stereotypes that surround the education profession bother me to no end.

What I’ve come to find that bothers people most is the salary. Yes, I’m aware it’s low. Yes, I will never make three figures, but that’s not at all why I’m doing this. No one is in education for the money, but rather because it is a rewarding experience in a way money can’t suffice.

Another thing that bothers me is that people often assume I’m in education because I’m “not smart enough” for anything else. Now I’m not one to brag, but I graduated at the top of my class in high school and my senior picture happily sits in the Academic Hall of Fame. Additionally, I received a 4.0 last semester. I took 18 credit hours, spent five hours a week at a school, and worked a job.

Also, it really bothers me that people think teaching is easy. How would you like to write a five page detailed lesson plan for a twenty minute lesson and be scrutinized on every little detail? One time someone told me that I was really lucky I’ll only have to work from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. I wish that was the case! I will constantly be planning lessons after school, matching activities to state standards, grading and working as hard as I can to make my students the best they can be. This is not a job you can just leave at work.

Without education, no one would be successful. We wouldn’t have doctors, lawyers, business people...anyone! Literally every profession in our society today requires some form of schooling. There is no way around that.

Yes, I get summers off and all major holidays...but hey, I chose this life, and you chose yours. I don’t find myself looking down on anyone else’s major, so please don’t disrespect mine either. I could be teaching your children someday.