Those who can't do, teach.

"You have so much potential...why would you choose that path?" It's a statement I often hear when people find out that I want to be a teacher. When I tell people I want to be a teacher, I do it proudly. Today, I am here to tell you why I would rather be a teacher. There are so many amazing careers in the world yet I chose the path of teaching. I chose this path and am sticking with it.

Teachers are the seed of knowledge, if you will. They are the individuals that plant the seed into the student that will inspire them to do great things. I'm not saying that the student cannot do great things individually -- just that teachers help guide along the way. We all had to be taught to read, to write, and to speak. Without a teacher, we would not be a functioning society. There needs to be someone willing to teach the skills needed for future success among young students. A child's mind is influenced by everything in sight. It is a teacher's job to make sure that the child is learning the right things.

A true teacher will not only teach a lesson plan but the key to a good heart. I want to be that teacher who makes a difference in a student's life. I want to be the one to let a student know that no matter what disability or disadvantage he or she has, there will always be a path to success. As a student with accommodations and disabilities on file, I know what it's like to feel the pain of not learning as fast as the others. I know the pain of taking extra time on that standardized test while everyone else is done and playing outside. For this reason, I have decided to minor in special education (with a main focus in English) and could not be more proud of that. Going to work every day will be about loving my job, not about how much money I make.

Now that I have introduced the elephant in the room, let's discuss pay, shall we? I am fully aware that teachers do not become millionaires. This may be the life that some people want, but if I could chose between making a difference in someone's life or being a millionaire, please take a guess as to which one I would chose. If you think the second one, you're completely wrong. I was raised in a middle class family that taught me that money comes second in life, while love comes first. As long as you have a roof over your head, food on the table, and are surrounded by loved ones, you are living the best life you can live. On top of that, I will get to go to work every single day as a happy employer. This is something that not many people can say they have.

At the end of the day, you live one life and would you rather be joyful or working for money the whole time without happiness? If you are always working, how do you find the time to enjoy the money you earn? To enjoy time with your family and friends? To be... happy? For me, it's all about the kids. I have always worked well with kids and love them with a passion. The way that they carry themselves with such optimism inspires me to be the best person I can be. If you don't know what you want to do with your career yet, consider teaching.

Those who can't do, teach?

Those who do learned from those who taught.

I know that my role as a teacher will make a lasting difference in our society. Years down the road when I retire, I will know that someone became a happier person because of me. I will know that I made a change that I couldn't have made without being a teacher. Teaching is my dream job and my dream will someday become a reality.