School. Something that is inevitable to get around; you are either in public school, private school or home-schooled. School is the place in which we learn how to communicate with others, read and write with polished grammar, learn habits (good or bad), learn history, mathematical practices and many other topics that are necessary but sometimes we can't see how at the time.

Children usually start school around the age of 5 if they go to preschool, and don't end their school career until the age of 22 if they go straight into college. So, being as this is a place that has been known as a learning space, teaching tolerance and preparing us for what is out in the world and what we could be, why then do we often treat anyone who goes into the profession of teaching as less than?

Dedication, patience, compassion and perseverance--all qualities my most memorable teacher in Jr. High School had. We had our good days and our bad days, but he never failed to intrigue me with the way in which he taught math. During the lessons, he'd find himself being the only one who was comfortable to talk; in his arguments he'd be mindful and respectful yet strict. Little did he know all this time while he was teaching us about linear equations, that girl in the third row, second seat was being inspired by his teaching methods and attitude.

Teaching majors are important. These will be the people your children go to when they struggle--even with more than those math questions. Teachers teach character by the ways in which they present themselves to the students everyday. They prove to students nothing in life does come easy and you have to work for what you have. Even on the hard days these teachers will have to pull themselves together just to give your child the education they deserve.

I know my future classroom won't be flooded with hands raised, perfect attendance and the best behavior but I plan on changing the perspective and personality of what classrooms have become and root them into what they could be.

Let's stop shaming teachers for going into the "easy" career, the crappy paycheck job, and stop questioning us in what else we could be doing. We chose this career path for a reason, because we see beauty where the world sees bullies; we see smart when other kids see dumb and we see worth working with a student instead of just passing someone along.

You see we don't go down this career path for the paycheck because that's not all that matters in this world. We go through the awful testings just to be able to take more classes to prepare us; we endure awkward and exciting meetings, and we train ourselves so we can be the best version for your children.

So, if you want to blame me/us for chasing after something that makes no money, go ahead but, last I checked passion trumps the paycheck any day.

I look forward to the early teacher meetings, 300 plus essays a week to grade, and watching my students grow in their thinking and processing. Go ahead with your, "it won't last" or "you'll get tired of it" because I've already made up my mind.

I change lives because I'm a future educator.

Thank a teacher today.