I am going to be a high school teacher one day.

That phrase is normally met with one of these three responses. First is just plain ole' indifference. Some people, rightfully, don't give a crap about my future or future plans, which is fine because I don't care about most people's either. Second is complete support and admiration. Some people will say how great of a career choice it is and wish me luck (and I am entirely grateful for those of you who are like this in regards to future teachers, thank you). The third is one of negativity. I am presented distaste and opinions on why it is an unwise and uncertain choice and a wave of attempted persuasion into a different career path.

Me saying that I will be a teacher one day is not an invitation for you to try and dissuade me.

I know that money will be a struggle when it comes to this job I have chosen for myself. I won't be sitting comfortably on a six-figure salary, likely, ever. The starting salaries are pretty dim for the time being, and that likely won't change by the time I've finished my program and graduated. Also, there is large uncertainty clouding my future profession; no one really knows where the future of teaching and education is going, or scary enough, if there is a future at all. I will be expected to work overtime for no compensation and deal with ungrateful and misguided students and parents alike without consolation.

And that is all okay.

It is all okay because I know in my heart and in my bones that I am meant to be a teacher, that my path in life is to teach. Period. Point blank. Fate has designated me a teacher, I am so sure about it. And it isn't about the money. It isn't about the summers and weekends off. It is not about the particular job.

For me, it is about helping people. It is about me leaving my mark and helping the world move forward in some facet. I want to pump good into society because I care about people and progress. I want to love and teach the kids who will one day be in our shoes, and the shoes of those before us.

I remember being in high school and my English and choral teachers having such an impact on me not only as a student and academic but as a woman and individual. They helped shape how I see not only the literature and music in front of me but the world around me and that is so important. They have inspired me into this career field and their impact on me will carry to the students I hope to one day impact myself.

Teachers are so vital to our society, but for some reason, their job is viewed as lesser and not a priority.

This can be seen through how our federal government treats the education department and the well being of our public teachers. This is shown by the distaste I receive when I tell people I am going to be a teacher one day, that that is what I am in college for. This is proved by the seemingly pathetic salaries when compared to the teacher salaries in other developed European countries.

Even if I am going to not get the credit teachers deserve, and even if that never changes, I will still be a teacher. And I am so dang excited.