We've all heard the saying: "those who can't do, teach." As an education major, I am obviously not a fan of this phrase. Not only does it make teachers look like talentless, brainless losers who settled for any old job, it prevents very bright people who would make wonderful teachers from pursuing this career.

When I tell people I am an education major, I get many backhanded compliments like "but you're so smart," and "at least you'll have summers off!" People see teachers from one perspective: the way they saw their teachers when they were younger. They only saw the side of teachers that would sit in class and teach, but they never saw what goes on behind the scenes. Teaching is often called a thankless job, and it's true. They plan lessons for each days' activities, and when some part inevitably goes wrong, have to be on their toes and come up with a solution, all while handling 20-30 students who don't have a pause button (not to mention, they're not exactly known for all the money they make.)

During my first year of college, I learned so much about teaching and what it entails. Before the school year began, I wasn't entirely sure I wanted to teach, but by the end, I felt confident in my choice. This is not because I think that teaching will be easy. I know it won't be easy.

But it will be worth it.

The thought that there are some teachers out there who settled on teaching because they thought it would be easy makes me sick. There are children out there waiting to learn from these teachers, but if they are not teaching for the right reasons, they are unmotivated and won't work hard to help, teach, and improve their students. It is so obvious to students when their teachers don't care, and that breaks my heart.

So please, please, please don't look down at teaching as a profession. Bashing on teaching is what gave it a bad reputation, and if we are going to change that, we need to look at hard-working teachers with the respect they deserve.