We all know everyone isn't meant to be a teacher. Some believe it's not right for them because of fear of dealing with children, fear of public speaking or the salary is way too low. All of those points are valid, but the people who degrade the people who aspire to be teachers are the worst because there is so much more to it than "an easy major" or a "relaxed job."
While other kids in elementary school dreamed of becoming doctors, lawyers, nurses, astronaut, or even a princess, I dreamed of being a teacher. I loved the thought of helping kids learn new things and thought all the grading papers wouldn't be as bad as all the teachers made it seem. I always got chuckles when I told people I wanted to teach when I grew up because they thought "I was meant for so much more". As the years went on, my dream for teaching grew stronger and stronger.
My experience while I was in school was there were good teachers and there were bad teachers. The bad ones we hated and the good ones, well at least for me, they were the most inspirational people to me. I will never forget my 6th-grade teacher who was the kindest person I had ever met. Not only was she kind, but she was an amazing teacher. Those are the people you will remember forever.
As I go through my classes and think about all the people that are taking the same classes as me trying to get to the same place, I am thankful for them. Teaching is such an underrated career that deserves more than a reputation of an "easy path." Sure, we're not physically saving lives like a surgeon, but we're saving lives in a different way.
Kids spend 6-8 hours a day at school and after school activities. That's most of their day. The adults that they spend those hours with are crucial to who they become. Teachers not only spend their free time lesson planning and grading papers to make sure they're successful, but they are role models and a guide as the kids find their way through school.
The next time somebody tells you they want to become a teacher, smile at them and support them. Tell them you're happy they're choosing such a rewarding career because we need good teachers, we need teachers to not only teach, but to inspire the kids. We need people to care about our next generation and help them succeed. If somebody has a passion for teaching, they should follow that and people should light up when a person chooses a path that helps kids and inspires them to become all the great things they can be in life. So the next time you see someone who is an Education major, thank them. They are following their dream to inspire our next generation and choosing a passion rather than a salary in their career.
