Since kindergarten I would say “when I grow up, I want to be a teacher." About 15 years later, I still say the same thing, as I am finally pursuing my dream job and am in college as an education major.
Yes, of course, I would love to be a teacher because it will one day pay the bills and I love kids. But I want to be a teacher for so many more reasons than that.
Being a teacher to me means being the first real role model in a child’s life. It means teaching them things they have never before heard of. It means putting your students before anyone else and fully caring and believing in each and every one.
Countless times I have been asked about my major and get the same response out of almost every person. They say: 1) I will not make any money, 2) I won’t get a job, and 3) teaching is an easy job.
What my response is almost every time is that I do not care about the money. I could win the lottery and be set for life financially, and I would still teach. Teaching is so much more than earning a salary, it is a paycheck to the heart each and every day you interact with students, parents, etc. And for those who think a teaching job is difficult to get, I agree. But that is mostly because schools are looking for the best teachers out there. In order to increase their students' learning, we need teachers who can make a positive difference in their classrooms.
And for those who say teaching is “easy," I would like to inform you that it is more than adding two plus two on a chalkboard or putting on "Bill Nye the Science Guy" when you feel like it. Education majors do more than just make colorful projects and PowerPoints. Just from taking multiple education classes and observing numerous types of classrooms, I have realized that teaching is one of the hardest jobs in the world.
Yes, it might not be demanding physically, and maybe for the teachers who could care less about their students, it is an easy job. But, for a teacher who truly cares about their students, putting in time and effort to make sure every child understands is no easy task. Helping a student on your lunch break, staying after school or even allowing home visits is what makes a good teacher. Knowing your students, having a good relationship, and respecting each one is what makes a good teacher. Being your students number one fan is what makes a good teacher.
So for those who do not believe in the job of teaching, think back to where you would be today without your school teachers. From a young age, you had someone who was there for you and helped you grow as a learner and as a person. So my answer is yes, I love being an education major and I would not want to have any other job in my future.
(I would like to dedicate this article to the teachers who had the biggest impact on me. You influenced me the most to be a teacher and to be just as great as you. Mrs. D’Agostino, Mrs. Casaceli, Mr. Santilli, and Mr. Randolph--thank you for everything.)
