When I was in 5th grade I decided that I wanted to become a teacher. From then on, that was my goal, and only one person that I can recall tried to talk me out of it. Mr. Pete Smith, my high school Biology teacher did his best to convince me that I didn't really want to be a teacher and that there was something else out there I could do instead. He gave me many compelling reasons, but when I finally asked him in exasperation, "If you're so against anyone becoming a teacher, why are YOU one?". His reply was, "Because I love it." His advice to me went unheeded and I continued my quest to become a teacher, never considering that there might be something else I would enjoy doing for a living.
Don't get me wrong - I love teaching. There's just something amazing about watching a a child/young teenager learn something new, especially when s/he struggles and struggles and then, suddenly, that lightbulb of awareness comes on and his/her face lights up and there is that declaration of "OH, I GET IT!", accompanied by a huge smile. But, still, I wonder what I would have done if I had not chosen to become a teacher.
I truly don't know what other field I might have pursued. At the time I was in high school and college, I didn't think I had any other marketable skills. But, I knew I could help people by being a teacher. I have a lot of interests - scrapbooking (a business, yes, but not one I've been able to turn into a career), photography, writing, baking, traveling, and others - but none of them are things I feel I could do full time.
And, so, I continue to teach and to try to make a difference in my little corner of the education world.
No comments:
Post a Comment