As a college student, the most common question I’m asked is “What are you majoring in?” My response, early childhood education, usually sparks one of two comments, “Good luck, I could never do that. Kids are awful,” or “You better marry rich because you won’t be making any money doing that.”

For one, yes, I know teaching isn’t for everyone (if it was then we wouldn’t have a shortage of teachers), but don’t make what I’m choosing to do with my life sound so negative when it’s clearly something I love and am passionate about. Secondly, yes, I know teachers make little money, I don’t need to be reminded of that. While I won’t be getting “rich” in terms of money, I’ll be rich in other ways. I’ll, hopefully, be rich in love (for my job, students and coworkers), experiences and passion, just to name a few. The amount of money I’ll be making has nothing to do with my job choice. I want to make learning fun for kids. I want to give them a place they can come to every day and feel safe and like they can be themselves. I want to give children a chance in this world and to show them they have worth and potential. No amount on a paycheck will compare to any of these things.

It takes a special type of person to be a teacher. It takes sacrifice, passion, kindness, understanding. Teaching definitely isn’t for everyone and it’s OK to say that it isn’t for you. However, current and future teachers don't need to hear all the negative sides of the job, especially when the good outweighs the bad. It's so sad to me that teachers are rarely recognized for the good they do and how many lives they positively influence. Teachers play a big role in shaping their students into the people they become. They offer comfort and support to children when they, sometimes, have nobody else to turn to.

As a future teacher, I hope I can have as great an impact on my students’ lives as my teachers had on mine. So, to all the teachers, thank you. Thank you for your endless love and support for your students, for the late nights of grading papers, and for going above and beyond what's expected of you.

Sincerely,

A Future Teacher