I can't even describe the look of confusion and pity I get when I tell someone that I'm studying to be a teacher.

"But you're so smart!" "You really don't want to do anything else?" "There's no money in that field." "I guess that's good. Someone's gotta do it."

Yes, I am smart, and yes, I have to be smart to be a teacher. Don't you see that not only do I have to understand the information, but understand it well enough to teach it to someone else? Obviously not.

And no, I don't want to do anything else than work with students. I have a passion for teaching and learning, and I really don't want to spend my time doing anything but pouring into the lives of middle school students. I can't see myself spending the rest of my life doing anything but this.

Do you not understand that I get that the money just isn't there? I don't care. I want to do this because I see the value in it. I see that it is a job with demand, and I am passionate about it. Because of my passion for this career, the salary is the last thing on my mind.

And you're right. Someone does have to do it, and that someone is me. I have had too many teachers in middle and high school that didn't care about their jobs, but only wanted the easy way out. And let me tell you, teaching is anything but the easy way out. Teaching is taxing and tiring and stressful and anything but easy. But it is also one more thing: teaching is worth it.

Speaking into the minds of young children and young adults is one of the most important jobs in the world because they are the future of our country. They are our nation's next doctors, scientists, researchers, nurses, politicians, writers, artists, dancers, actors, businessmen and women and yes, our teachers.

So I hear your comments and I see your snide looks, and I ignore them. I know my career has purpose and that my education will be worth it. I know that I am pursuing a life that has meaning and will give back to me so much more than I give to it, which is what matters to me.

I see the value in my life and I know that I am called to do this. I know that God built me the exact way he did so that I can minister to students through teaching. I know that I am capable of teaching and I am capable of interacting with students and showing them that learning is fun and they can be anything they want to be.

That is why I want to be a teacher. No, that is why I have to be a teacher. I cannot go through life and do anything but be with young adults. I cannot sit by and let students have teachers that don't care or don't want the best for them. I want to show them that I want the best for them and I know that they can do anything they set their minds to.