Ever since I was a little girl, I KNEW I wanted to be a teacher- until I reached high school. Once I hit high school, everyone seemed to have an idea of what they wanted to do yet I wasn't so sure anymore. I began to try different paths with school and found that they just were not my passion. As I floated back to teaching someone told me "Why would you want to be a teacher? Sweetheart, it's the wrong decision. You won't make any money, and you will be exhausted all the time. You won't enjoy having kids, and you won't be able to support yourself or save any money. It's not worth all the money and time to get your degree." And that was it. This person who I had looked up to shattered my dream of being a teacher and put a nail in my coffin for years because I was being encouraged and told that my dream wasn't right for me. Yet it wasn't just one person. I've had so many people over the years question my career choice, talking down about teaching and belittling the job.
It's funny how so many people discourage those individuals who want to be teachers. Everywhere we turn it's either a "WOW you're a TEACHER- don't you just color all day?" or it's "Oh honey are you really sure you want to do that?". Teachers don't become teachers for the money. Let me repeat that. TEACHERS DON'T TEACH FOR THE MONEY.
We teach because we love children, we see the potential in them, and we see there's a need for people in the school system who are Godly, caring examples of who that child could become. We have a passion for a subject and want to nurture those who have the same passion or help those children who hate the subject become tolerant of it. We live to see the light in a child's eye or the rise of their voice when they finally have a light bulb moment. We believe we can add to a child's life or future. WE are NOT the star of the show- the child is. When people try to make teaching about the money, it makes our future more important than the child's, and that's not right. The other English Education Majors I'm currently in classes with are some of the smartest, kindest, loving people I've had the joy to be able to be with. They embody what a teacher is. Even though it's not always rainbows and sunshine, they have hearts and actions that work toward making children learn and grow.
We understand that this profession doesn't pay much. We understand that it's hard, the days are long, and sometimes it's just frustrating. But we love the possibilities that are in store for those children we get to love and teach throughout the years. We LOVE what we do. Be encouraging to those who want to be teachers, because you'll scare away those who could potentially be the greatest asset to a child's life- to YOUR child's life.
So next time instead of talking down or discouraging a future teacher or a current teacher- encourage them, buy them school supplies (because you know they'll need them), and pray for them. We need all the support we can get.
