Why Do You Teach?: What Sustains Us in Our Work

Hi there Carol. I especially liked your blog because it was very similar to the one that I posted. I was also encouraged by my family to do what I love, and I did just that! I love being a teacher, and especially witnessing all the "aha moments" that you mentioned. It's so rewarding to watch every student's success shine through. Keep your love for teaching alive!

I teach because I want to make learning fun again. I want to share the excitement for learning that I still have burning inside. I teach because I love the look of success on each child's face when they have experienced their self-worth. I teach because I believe that a strong academic foundation is the core to lifelong learning. I teach because I care about each student's success. I teach because my career is rewarding, and fulfilling each day. I teach because it is my gift to share with others. I teach because I love it, and am thankful that I chose the right career path that brings me ultimate happiness.

I teach because I love learning and working with children. I am truly passionate about learning and experiencing new things. I didn't realize I truly loved learning until college. Elementary content came easy to me as a student and high school wasn't really a challenge. I went through the daily routines and assignments with ease. College was where I developed that genuine love of learning. I went in declared as an Elementary Education major due to the fact that I knew that was where I wanted to be. My best and fondest memories both inside and outside of the classroom was when I was with children. I love waking up every morning and seeing my students in line at school ready for the day to start. Everyday brings something new and exciting. You never know what’s going to happen. There are so many different personalities and emotions when working with children. Some days may be fantastic and some may be horrible. I get a new chance everyday to have students “get it”, make a connection, or try something they’ve never done before. I am the one that assists children in accomplishing something difficult or succeeding when they didn’t believe in themselves, because I believed in them. Teaching is a life. For me, it’s THE life.
I keep teaching because I want the chance to make a difference in children’s lives. Wherever they come from, whatever their home life may be, when the students are with me, I get to be the positive role model, their teacher, a care-giver, a confidant, and a support system in their life. I ask you. In what other profession do employees have those types of opportunities? Not many. That’s why I keep teaching.

Why do I teach? It is the only profession that allows me to be me! Many educators knew from a very young age that they wanted to become teachers. I never visualized myself standing in front of students on a daily basis. I worked in accounting for approximately fifteen to eighteen years of my adult life. The money was good. Life was good.

My family and I relocated to Pennsylvania. I became a stay-at-home mom. In the year 2001, my mother passed away. She was a secretary in my elementary school. Yes, mom was there from 1968 – 2001. I never understood why she would go back day after day.Once all of my children were attending school, I became a parent volunteer. One day turned into five days a week. I was hooked. A teacher suggested that I should become an educator. I said to myself, how hard could that be!

This is now my fourth year teaching and I love it. The kids are amazing. I enjoy the fact that they accept me for who I am. As a parent, I know what I would want from my children’s teachers. I make sure that I give all that I have to my students every day. No I can truly say that life is good!

I love reading your story and the reasons why you teach. This year is my second year teaching. I actually changed careers to become a teacher and I'm enjoying every moment of it. It is so rewarding to see my Title I students grow in knowledge. One of the things I have been doing lately in my classroom is trying to inspire my students. Some don't have any role models in their lives. For that reason I want my students to know that they are important, they are smart, they deserve the best, and that they will need to work hard to achieve things in life. They know that at school I want them to work hard in order to earn a good grade and privileges. Setting high expectations for my student’s is important and it works... It is so rewarding when they make the high grade or even a passing grade. Sometimes they don't believe it but I tell them that I do because I believe in them.
Yolanda

I never wanted to teach. I was against the idea of teaching very early in life. My mom was a teacher and she worked long hours with no respect. I was not going to do that. Sure I wanted to work with children, sure I enjoyed planning activities, but I refused to put up with all that. Until I started college that is when I decided I should get my undergraduate degree in education, then go on and get a doctorate in physical therapy. That would ensure I could work with kids. I continued with my plan all the way until the end of my first semester in PT school and I was miserable. I longed for my student teaching days. I decided what I needed was a break, so I took some time off. During my time off of school I worked as a summer camp counselor. It was then that I realized what I was meant to do. I had a gift and I was wasting it. I completely withdrew from school and started applying for jobs. Now I am in my second year teaching, working on a master in education. The thing that keeps me going is remembering how much I disliked doing anything else. I never felt as if I fit in any other place. I know that I am where I am supposed to be, doing what I was meant to do.

Anie,
It brought tears to my eyes to read your posting. I am a certified teacher who took a job as an aide so I could get into the school system. I am also working on my master's degree in education so I can become more marketable. I am 50 years old and although I took time to raise my children, I have always had a desire to teach. I know I will obtain a position. There is such a misconception that teachers have so much time off. When they are "home" they are working on lesson plans and grading papers, etc. I know you are not alone in this profession. Please step aside and let someone who truly has a passion for teaching take your job. I promise something will come to you. You will not only be giving yourself a gift but every student that you are exposed to will benefit from your decision. Children are very perceptive. If you don't care, they KNOW it! Good luck to you.

I teach because I truly feel it is how I can better the world. I know I can't do much, but I feel it's the most I can do on my own. There is no better feeling than to see one of your former students come back and thank you for the impact you have made on his or her life. They may bring up a memory, or tell you a life lesson they learned from you. It touches me when I see my former students grown up and becoming respectable members of the community. I truly believe I helped have a hand in that. I just try to better the world however I can, and that's why I believe teaching is my calling. It is also the reason I work for a mentoring program after school, and coach on weekends. I love impacting human beings!

I teach because I love teaching. I love learning. I love playing. I love knowing I make a difference in someone's life. I still have a few parents who come up to me and say what a difference I made in their life. We are talking some of them are now 17 and I had them when they were 5. Last year a boy reminded me that I introduced him to frog soup and rubbed his feet. Did that help keep this boy who could have went way the wrong way from going there? I doubt it, but maybe. I love teaching, reaching and learning. Judy

I too enjoy the "light bulb" moments, but I wouldn't say that's necessarily the reason I teach. I would have to agree with the article, and state that the reason I do teach is to better the world. I know I can't do much--I only have about twenty five fifth grade students a year--but I can still reach hundreds of humans before I retire. There is no more special feeling to me than when a former student visits me and tells me about the impact I had on his/her life. They bring up memories, or tell me a life lesson they learned from me. And when I see them all grown up and handling themselves in a mature manner, it touches me. I would hope that they can trust me as a consultant the rest of their lives. Yes, I do enjoy teaching children new knowledge and watching them grow, but I think this is my calling to better the world. That is why I am also involved at a mentor program at our school and coach on weekends. I love making a difference!