Trying to figure out what you are going to do for the rest of your life is a hard decision to make. In high school, counselors expect you to know by junior year what your plans are. Most of the time juniors don’t know what a resume is, but they somehow need to know their lifetime career. It is great when you find a career that you are passionate about and for me that’s teaching, but I don’t always get the support I would want. Guidance counselors actually talked me out of becoming a teacher and to go into radiology. I was convinced I was going to be an ultrasound technician but the funny part is that pregnancy freaks me out--not typically a good combination for an ultrasound technician. Oh, and I hate science. Clearly, radiology was not meant for me. As long as I am not going to school to become a teacher, my counselors were happy. However, sometimes you are born to be a teacher. Here is what people usually say when you tell someone you are going to teach tiny humans:

“You’re going to be a teacher? You know you won’t make a lot of money right?”

For most people finding a career or a job, it is all about the money. For teachers? It is a different story. Teachers don’t make a lot of money, you are correct. Why do you find it necessary for you to tell me that? We don’t bash other occupations and tell them how much money they make. According to some people, money amounts to happiness. For teachers, happiness is making an impact on a child’s life. Influencing and teaching students to be creative, learn, and be their best self. Yes, I may not make a lot of money but I will love my job and find happiness in teaching beautiful and smart children.

“You’re only in it for the weekends and summers off.”

Really? A lot of occupations have weekends off other than teachers. Teachers actually spend most of their time “off” planning and preparing for the next year. Many teachers also teach in the summer as well, or have meetings or conferences to attend. Plus, for how many hours teachers prepare and pour out their heart, energy, and time into their students throughout the year we deserve summers off.

“When you can’t do, teach.”

I’m not sure who came up with this statement, but it is completely wrong. If you cannot think of a career that you want and you chose teaching because you think it is going to be easy, do us all a favor and change career paths. Being a teacher is not easy, it takes hard work and dedication. Teachers need to know a lot of information. Have you ever met a child? How many times a day do they ask questions? Exactly, teachers need to be able to know it all and do it all.

“I would love to work 7:30-2:30 every day. It must be nice.”

Usually a teacher comes in early to prepare for the day, and stays way past school hours to grade papers. Teachers usually have to wake up around 5 a.m. or earlier and be able to be active and ready for the day to teach, while controlling a classroom of almost 30 kids. Teachers never leave when the kids leave, and a lot of teachers are involved with school activities and clubs. School dances, practices, tutoring, parent teacher conferences are all examples of extra hours teachers spend outside of the classroom. People also do not realize how much time and preparation is put into a lesson plan and daily activities.

“You're going to be a teacher? Oh, good for you…bless your heart.”

This is not a compliment. You are being rude.

“You’re going to teach middle school age? Are you crazy? I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

Did you ever have a middle school teacher who made an influence on your life? Well, I want to be that teacher that influences a middle schooler’s life. Middle schoolers can be a challenge, but who wants to take the easy way out? I sure don’t. Middle schoolers may have attitude, but that’s OK. It is normal. At that age they are still eager to learn and engage in content areas. I feel as a teacher I can influence and have fun with kids in seventh and eighth grade. Someone has to teach them, so why not me?

Regardless of how people react or what people say, I know I am going into the right career. I love kids and it is something I’m passionate about. So many people are unhappy with their job and regret going to work. Teachers may not get paid a lot and not be respected among most people. However, it can be the most rewarding job because teachers hold a great influence on a child’s future. I would rather get paid almost nothing and be happy with my career, instead of being miserable with a lot of money. Finding the right job shouldn’t be about the money or title, it should be about the joy that comes from your work environment. Teaching brings many challenges but it also brings many rewards. Call me crazy, but I cannot wait to enter my first public school and teach my classroom. As long as I am happy and love my job, that is all that matters.