Why Teach???

This is a question in which I find myself being asked all the time in many different ways. When I inform people that I aspire to be an educator some seem puzzled and say why would you EVER want to become a teacher! You will regret it! Others, seem apprehensive and say oh, now what made you decide to take that career path? Finally there are those that say, Well that is just great, and are very glad I would want to partake in such an important profession. With such negativity about the tireless planning hours, the mandatory extra-curricular activities, and headaches that come about during a normal teaching day, I am not surprised to hear such questions. However, I feel that the job will be rewarding enough to overtake the negatives. When I answer why do I want to teach, to any of these kinds of questions I always find I say the same thing:

- It is always exciting and I would be passionate about my work
- I have the opportunity to make an impact on the lives of others
- I would love to be a role model and I would take it seriously
- It is fun and I love to continuously learn
- My previous teachers have inspired me to teach by their example
- I have a desire to work with young people and I enjoy it

I have no desire to speak to those that say negative things about educators because they do not know how demanding teaching is, and the stamina it takes to be an effective teacher. I believe that the benefits and working hours that teachers have are a suitable reward for everything else teachers must do as an educator.  So I believe if you passionately agree with all statements above, then teaching would be a good choice; however, if you waver on any stance, you are going into teaching for all of the wrong reasons.  If the best thing for you about teaching are the weekends, holidays, and great benefits, you need to find another profession. There are far to many teachers out there that do not like their job and have been teaching for those reasons only from the start.
                                                                         

I am passionate about shaping the next generation; therefore, I have many reasons to answer the "why teach?" question.  But perhaps from now on, I should answer, I am going to teach for all of the right reasons, because unfortunately there needs to be more teachers with this mindset in the work force.