"You're going to be a teacher? They make, like, almost no money."
"I could never be a teacher. I'd be so poor!"
"I need a job that's actually worth more."
"Watching kids all day without making barely any cash? I feel sorry for you."
Sound familiar to you? These are all very common sayings from the media, other college students, etc. The majority believes that teaching is not a career that is worth it. Why be stuck with loud, annoying, noisy, misbehaving children all day and get barely any pay in return? Why settle for that when you could become an accountant, or a real estate agent, or even a doctor?
Here's my answer: I really don't care about the money. What I do care about is that I enjoy my career, that I will most likely be participating in for nearly the rest of my life. Business has no interest to me; I barely even understand it. Biology? Too difficult. What I'm meant to do, and was always meant to do, is teach.
I've known I wanted to be a teacher since I was a tiny preschooler. And when I think about teaching, all that comes to mind is how much I will help my future students grow, learn and achieve. My intent is set on educating them in order to help them move on and work for their own dreams. And to me, that is a much more rewarding gift than money.
Sure, this job is not so great on the money side. But I see way past the money. What I see is strong, intelligent, brave, educators who are determined and motivated to give their students the best learning experience possible. I see people who spend hours upon hours on lesson plans, only to be rewarded with three hours of sleep. I see unique individuals who have the ability to make school a safe haven for children. This is what I aspire to.
Not the money. Is money really worth it if I don't change lives or achieve great qualities, or to be a role model for younger ones? Is it worth it to major in something that has no interest me, only to graduate, and sit in an office cubicle all day, just for more money? No.
I don't want to live a miserable life.
I want to live a life where I can change for the better and improve myself. And frankly, that can only be done through something I love and always will love no matter what: teaching. And no one can change my mind.
