We all have those days. It’s cold and dark in the early morning. We spill the coffee on the way out the door. The students aren’t listening. A parent is upset. The paperwork is piled so high we can no longer see the top of our desk.
We doubt our career choice. We wonder what we were thinking that led us to this profession in the first place. We want to tell anyone who will listen that this profession is more difficult than they could ever begin to imagine.
When we feel this way, it is important to stop and revisit the reasons we chose this career. In case you need a reminder, here are just a few of the reasons:
Reason #1: You wanted to make a difference. You wanted to teach and inspire future students. And you are. Even on days when you doubt it, you ARE making a difference. Every day you teach you are etching yourself into the hearts and memories of the students sitting in front of you. When they remember their (insert your position here) teacher, yours is the face they will picture. Their memories of school will be positive, because you helped create them.
Reason #2: You had an amazing teacher and you wanted to be like that teacher when you “grew up.” That teacher changed your life and showed you all that a teacher should be. You learned from him/her and you loved him/her. You are now that kind of teacher for a new generation of students. There is power in such love. This is why we need to remind ourselves regularly how important our work is and to cherish this incredible power we have been given.
Reason #3: You remember the teachers who left a negative impression on you. You DIDN’T want another student to ever have to go through what you did with that particular teacher. Those feelings and that same passion are still there. Your knowledge of what students respond to and what they don’t respond to is evident in your classroom today. You may not always be a perfect teacher, but your heart is in the right place and your students know it.
Reason #4: You wanted to have your summers off. Okay, well, that won’t really happen as planned. You never really forget about your classroom and students over the summer months. There is new curriculum to put together and materials to organize. You are always working even when you are not working. However, you do get a bit of time to rejuvenate and relax. We take what we can get, right?
Reason #5: You have a teacher’s heart. There is no denying it. You went into this profession because you cared. You still care. Regardless of the stresses of standardized testing, administrative mandates, and other energy-zappers, your heart is still a teacher’s heart. This is a special gift indeed.
The next time you are feeling overwhelmed, remember why you chose this profession in the first place. You are one of the luckiest people on the planet. You are surrounded by energetic students and passionate colleagues, and that is wonderful place to be.
What are your reasons for going into teaching? What helps you to remember why you chose this career? We would LOVE to hear from you in the comments below!
Happy reminiscing,
“The coaching conversations continually remind me why I became a teacher in the first place and how much I actually love the business of education.”
Thanks for sharing. Education can be a tough business, we all need reminders once in awhile about why we went into this business and why we love it.
Being a teacher is the most important job there is! I know some days it may seem daunting or not worth it, but just remember we are entrusting you with our children, so you are pretty special! We value you, and thank you!
Hi Christina, thanks for your comments. i know that teachers do really value your children and want to do what is best for them.