I was reading a post which was based on a question posed by a college student who was debating on whether she should go in to teaching as a profession. The question? “Do you regret becoming a teacher?” There was a myriad of yes responses to that question, as you can only imagine. Between the long, long, long hours, bad student and parent behaviors, limited to no classroom funding, lack of support, poor pay, absent parent involvement and/or support, ridiculous paperwork, increased demands placed on teachers, and more, with the state of education today, who could blame a teacher for saying yes! I can lament about all of the negatives, because, depending on a teacher’s experiences, there can be a lot! But, for me, the answer will ALWAYS be NO! And the reason why? Proverbs 19:21!
Like so many people, I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. But, despite a desire to teach, practicality led me to choose a major in college and career path (rehab therapy) that would lead to better pay, “normal work hours”, and less stress. That was my plan! But after five years, it became apparent to me that what I thought to be a well laid out plan was, indeed, not! I was happy with my pay, but not with my job. So, with much prayer, I ended up coming full circle and went back to my original passion… teaching. I became a teacher because that is what I was born to do. Teaching was my calling. A teacher was what God designed me to be, His purpose in my life. I got my credential and haven’t looked back!
Now, don’t get me wrong. There are those rare moments when I feel like throwing my hands up in the air and quitting! But that is always behind dealing with difficult staff, or parents. There are times I want to scream and shout. That is usually behind a difficult student and/or situation. Yes, there are days when the paperwork is overwhelming, and the demands are great. Teaching is hard work. However, no matter how hard it may get, I wouldn’t trade it for anything else. I can lament the negatives, but choose to focus on the positives, those golden moments that reminds me of why I teach.
Every teacher devotes his or her life to education for reasons as individual to them as any other part of their identity. And, it usually is not for the money and summer vacations. Reasons for becoming a teacher are deeper than that and more personal. Whatever reason brought you to teaching, make sure it is enough to sustain you throughout your teaching career. If you don’t, you will be like so many of those teachers who responded with regret.
To the college student (and anybody else) who debates teaching as a career… make sure that teaching is your passion. Make sure that teaching is what you have been purposed to do. Teaching isn’t for everybody… the yes answers to the question attests to that. Don’t be the one who regrets becoming a teacher! And please, please, please don’t be the one who regrets it, but continues to teach!!! After all, don’t our students deserve better than that!!! As for me, after 20+ years of teaching, I will continue until God calls me to do something else!