I know that teachers don’t get enough credit, respect, or pay. In our current system, one might wonder how we have enough people who want to be teachers. What I have found is that most of the teachers I have had truly want to be where they are. And thinking about it, I completely understand why.

Solving Problems:

While I’m not exactly a teacher, I do tutor other kids often. Sometimes I spend days trying to help someone. They get frustrated and start talking in a self-deprecating way. But then something clicks and the light bulb turns on. Seeing a light flicker in their eyes, even if it’s only temporary, is a very special moment. Teachers are problem solvers and enlighteners. They solve the problem of other people not being able to solve problems.

Vacation:

Even though many teachers spend much of their summer lesson-planning, they still have a fair chunk of time during the summer. While their office working counterparts are spending their entire year with their career, teachers can relax a bit for three months before going back at it with us millennials.

Passion:

I’m going to let you in on a secret. Most teachers are nerds (which is a good thing). They went to college and got a teaching degree, and then specialized in something. I know they might get tired after teaching several classes on the same topics, but their passion for the subject never really dies. For example,if you love reading, then you could be a literature teacher and probably enjoy it.

When it comes down to it, teachers are an essential influence on raising the generations to come. And while that generation may give them grief while at school, they will be thankful when they’re older. In America, we have it wrong. Look at Finland. There, teachers are considered to be of similar status to lawyers and doctors and other high profile jobs. Because what can be more important to society than improving society. Teachers spend their lives improving and preparing us for ours.