I was having supper with my roommate and her friend from high school one night when my roommate was discussing possible career options with us. Somehow, teaching came up, and her friend nonchalantly said, "I just feel like you're giving up on yourself if you decide to teach ... you know?" I tried my best not to look disgusted with her; after all, I was one of those people “giving up on myself.”
I’m sure you didn’t mean to offend me, and I’m sure you didn’t think I’d take it personally. But you did, and I did.
I’m an English major and I am extremely excited to get my degree and teach a high school English class. I’m sorry you don’t hold me in as high of a regard as you will your degree in nursing. But even more so, I’m sorry you view teaching as "giving up." When I decided to teach, all I could think about was how many lives I would change and how many people I’d inspire. How could I possibly be giving up on myself when I’ll get the chance to help so many students transition into the next stages of their lives? Did you walk into all your classrooms and pity your teachers? How about when they stayed hours after school or spent their lunch break helping you with a new concept? Was your head filled with thoughts of them giving up too?
Most, if not all, of the teachers I’ve been taught by have taught me a lot more than just chemistry or statistics. I’ve learned so much about life and people through my teachers—they have so much to share with those who are willing to listen and learn. Teachers go above and beyond their job description, almost always being willing to coach a team, supervise a club or organize an event. I’ve had teachers who put up with a lot more than they’re required to—I’ve watched them count to 10 and recompose themselves because they’re so determined to get through to their students. The point is that these teachers’ work days go beyond the misconception of seven hours a day, five days a week.
My passion is literature. I want the chance to share that with everyone I can. I’m not giving up on anything; in fact, I am embracing everything I love and spreading that love to others. Your passion is probably something along the lines of helping others. Which is really great, we truly need more nurses. We need more of everything actually, that’s how jobs work. What I don’t understand, though, is why you’d even waste the breath to insult another occupation, especially one that you know is so essential to society. How far do you think any of us would have gotten if those people hadn’t chosen to “give up” on themselves and teach you?
Pity me if you’d like, but the world needs teachers, and I’m sure that parents would prefer their children to be taught by someone who dreams of teaching, rather than someone who turned their nose up at the thought of it. I’ll be changing the world, the same as you, we’ll just be doing it in different ways. But I guarantee you that they’ll need me just as much as they’ll need you.
