There’s a million and one reasons why you choose the profession that you do. It is probably something that you love or something that you are good at. But, why be selfish and work in a profession that only makes you feel good? What about doing something that makes you feel good and allows you tell help people and change lives? It really took a while for me to finally come to terms that I was going to be a teacher. I know that it is the best decision that I could have ever made for myself. There are so many reasons that you choose the job that you do, but there is only one reason I chose mine. So, here is a list of why I didn't choose teaching. Because when you are wanting to become a teacher, there should only be one reason.
1. Income
I didn’t choose teaching because of the pay (obviously). Teachers so not make very much money. On average, the starting pay for a teacher is around $33,500. This is right on the border of poverty. Teachers have one of the most important jobs. Those doctors did not teach themselves, you know.
2. Easy Major
I didn’t choose teaching because it is an “easy major” in college. A lot of people think that education is so easy. Have you been there? Education is tough and challenging. We are preparing to teach the future generations of our world. It is hard stressful work, that should be recognized for such reasons.
3. Summer
I didn’t choose teaching so I could have summers off. This is the most ridiculous of all reasons. Referring back to number one, teachers do not make a lot of money. Most school systems pay you a steady amount throughout the year, so yes teachers get paid throughout the summer but their income is a slow steady amount. Plus, who wants to sit around all summer?
4. Parents
I didn’t choose teaching to deal with the parents. One of the subjects we learn about in the teacher education program is how to deal with parents. Trust me, it is not something that I want to deal with everyday.
5. School Lunch
I didn’t choose teaching to eat cafeteria food everyday. Even if some schools give teachers a discount for school lunch, would you want to eat it every day? No way.
6. Coaching
I didn’t choose teaching to be a middle school sports coach. I’ve talked to so many people in my major that are only in teaching to become a coach of the football or basketball team. I understand that some people want to relive their glory days, but I’m not sure this is the best way.
7. Prom
I didn't choose to be a teacher to attend prom again. Trust me, attending prom the first three times (ew), was bad enough.
8. Football Games/Pep Rallies
I didn't choose to be a teacher so I could attend pep rallies and football games. Even though these are some of my favorite memories form middle and high school, it is not the why I chose this profession.
9. Bullying
I didn't choose to be a teacher to be around bullying again. C'mon, everyone was bullied at some point in school. Who in there right mind would want to relive the horror of middle school bullies. Not me.
10. Teacher's Lounge Gossip
I didn't choose to become a teacher to listen to gossip in the teacher's lounge. No matter where you work, teachers are going to talk. It is highly inappropriate that teachers talk about students in the lounge, but it hasn't stopped them yet.
I Chose to Become a Teacher for the Kids.
I chose to become a teacher because I love kids. I know, that sounds super cliche, but it is oh so true. I don't care that I will not get paid a lot, it is worth it. I don't care about the annoying and mean parents or the gross school lunch. I didn't want to do this for the glorious position of being a coach, getting to chaperone prom or attend pep rallies again. I am doing what I am doing because I believe that I can help kids. There are so many teachers out there that get into education for all the wrong reasons. I will not be one of those teachers.
