Teachers are sadly some of the most underappreciated individuals in the workforce. Future-teachers who are still in college have to deal with others discrediting their future career and calling their classes "easy." Current teachers have to deal with others asking them why they chose their profession, since most teachers aren't making six-figures annually.

Education, particularly elementary education, is usually looked at by others as "an easy major." First of all, it's typically not considered a major. Technically, it is a concentration. In many states, one being New Jersey, one has to choose a major to study along with education. Most importantly, it is anything but easy.

The field of education may not be rocket-science, but it is certainly time-consuming. Those who are studying education, including myself, have to spend hours upon hours creating lesson plans. Contrary to what most think, this does not involve coloring and connecting the dots. We have to know how to differentiate instruction and make sure that every student, regardless of disability and English-speaking ability is able to receive the same knowledge. Not only do we have to complete countless lesson plans, but we have to do tons of research and write lengthy papers about issues in the education system.

Society has to realize that individuals do not choose a career based solely on the salary. A large salary is always a plus, of course. However, I know that I would not be truly happy if I was a biomedical engineer, because that is not something that I am interested in. Teachers want to have a positive impact on others; they are not in it for the money.

How often do we think to ourselves how much a certain teacher impacted our lives? Some would say often, some would not. Many teachers are the reasons that individuals pursue a particular major in college. Ironically, many teachers inspire their students to become teachers and to create a continuous cycle of impacting the lives of others. Especially at the elementary level, students spend most of their days with their teachers, even more so than their own parents. It cannot be denied that teachers definitely have an impact on their students.

I know that my field of study is not the most difficult one out there, but it is certainly not the easiest. I know that I am going to be faced with a lot of ridicule throughout my entire life, but I know that I am following the path that my heart is telling me to. I know that if my future students eventually became doctors, lawyers, or even the next president, that I was one of the people that helped them gain the knowledge to inevitably become successful.