I have been asked countless - and I do mean countless - times, why in the world would I want to be a teacher? Why would I want to be surrounded by “snot-nosed children” all day? Why would I want to pick a profession that doesn’t make a lot of money? Those are valid questions, but teaching is a passion you are born with. It is something that makes you happy knowing that you are educating young minds and helping them mature and grow as children and young adults.

In my opinion, teaching is so much more than just explaining the basic concepts and standards we now have to follow. Yes, the basics are very, very important and crucial for development later in school. Writing, reading, math, science, etc. are all essential to a young person’s mind, but that is not the reason I fell in love with teaching.

Originally, I did not want to become a teacher. Both of my parents are teachers, so naturally I wanted to “go my own way” and pick a profession that did not involve a classroom. Obviously that idea didn’t last long. After a cadet teaching course my junior year of high school, I realized that being a teacher was truly my passion. I fell in love with working with the students and helping them grasp the many concepts involved in the first grade. Honestly, that course really opened my eyes to what I actually wanted to do for the rest of my life.

Teaching the basics are great and I really do enjoy that part, but my absolutely favorite part of teaching is the “light bulb” moment you get from the students. It is so amazing to see the students finally comprehend a concept after trying and trying to understand. There is no feeling like the one you get when you see a child learn something new. Their eyes light up and you can just see that click in their mind knowing that they finally got it. They finally understand. They finally appreciate the knowledge that has been taught to them. That feeling you get as a teacher is honestly indescribable.

Being a teacher is so rewarding. You are able to see the students succeed and do wonderful things. They grow up and become doctors or lawyers or engineers or, my favorite, teachers. Even though they might not say it, they do appreciate the topics and lessons you instilled in their mind. There is no other profession like it.

As a teacher, you are more than just an educator to some students. You are their mother (or father) figure, their caregiver, their sense of compassion, and many other roles for different students. Being able to make the students feel safe and have a sense of security is another reason why I want to be an educator. You, as a teacher, are so much more than just a teacher. You can mean the whole world to a student.

Without teachers, no one would strive for more knowledge, no one would be curious about the world around them, and no one would be where they are today.

“A teacher takes a hand, opens a mind, and touches a heart.”

And in reference to what I would make as a teacher, here is one of my favorite videos on teaching: