“Why In The World Would Anyone Want To Be A Teacher?”

I can remember having that exact thought run through my mind when I was a child and heard a girl standing next to me say she wanted to be a teacher when she grew up. 

However, as I’ve been thinking lately about teachers, schools and the education system and have reflected their impact on my own life, I wanted to take this opportunity to say “thank you” to the thousands of teachers who may stop by this site and read this article. 

I am sure as a teacher there are days where you are driving to school and wondering whether or not you are actually making a difference. 

You are…

I am 43 years old and can still remember every teacher I had all the way through elementary school…and most of them in middle and high school. 

In Kindergarten Mrs. Conat was so patient with me as I had to miss a lot of school that year due to me being in the hospital. I can STILL remember her willingness to work extra with me to make sure I was caught up. 

Mrs. Coffee always gave me the biggest hugs when I was in the 1st grade.

Mrs. Pennel let me tell jokes to the class when I was in 2nd grade. 

Mrs. Rice patiently taught me that multiplication wasn’t that complicated when I was in the 3rd grade. 

Mrs. Nalley helped me to become a better reader when I was in the 4th grade. 

Mrs. Schnieben refused to let me be lazy when I was in the 5th grade. 

Mrs. Hancock (hands down my favorite of all time) was so kind to me when I was in the 6th grade after my mother died. She maintained a balance with me that was amazing by allowing me to grieve but not to allow the death of my mother to be an excuse for me not doing my best. 

I could go on and on…but, if you are a teacher the thing I hope you walk away with is that I still remember my teachers names, faces and how they IMPACTED my life in ways that I am still being made aware of to this day. 

If you are a teacher you are not just teaching kids, you are shaping the world! 

Kids need someone who will believe in them. 

Kids need a place where they can be encouraged and challenged. 

Kids need to know there is hope beyond their circumstances. 

Kids need people who really do care about them. 

And if you are a teacher, then you are that person. 

I want to say “thank you” to every teacher reading this post…

Thank you for the time you’ve invested “off the clock” to make your classroom a better place. 

Thank you for the days you went into work, even though you did not feel like it. 

Thank you for the countless smiles you give to students who may not get smiles from their parents at home. 

Thank you for the money you have spent out of your own pocket to invest in the lives of the people in your classroom. 

Thank you for staying up late to grade papers. 

And thank you for doing what you do. 

You’re NOT CRAZY for being a teacher. It is one of the best jobs on the planet. You are making an impact and 20-30 years from now students who had the privilege of spending a year with you will never forget the impact you have had on their lives.