Why Teachers Do it All (Hint, It Isn’t About the Money)
It isn’t easy for us, you know; teachers I mean. We spend our days teaching, nurturing and caring for other people’s children and we miss our own as much as anyone. We won’t let it stop us from doing our very best to ensure your children get an excellent education. We do this for one main reason. It might shock you to know that our reason has nothing to do with our meager paycheck. Here is our major motivations for spending our days working with our littliest citizens.
They Make us Feel Like Total Rock Stars
As a colleague of mine once said: “Walking into a classroom is like walking the red carpet. Our students’ eyes light up and they are bursting with happiness to see us each and every day.” Sure, this is more true in the elementary grades but don’t be fooled; the big kids love their teachers, too. In fact, I am writing this on my seven minute lunch break and I’ve already received eleven hugs and two homemade cards today. There’s the bell, I’ll be back after school. Do you mind waiting a bit?
Okay, I’m back! Feeling pretty great after eight more hugs and a play dough cookie. I teach Kindergarten, in case you were wondering. Where was I… Oh yes, I was telling you how a classroom full of children (especially Kindergarteners) trying their very best to please you is pretty great. Sure, some of them are spinning around the room, and others are pouring paint into their shoes, but in their own way, they are doing what they think is best or they are experimenting. And, I’m okay with that. Even just thinking about them now makes me smile. They left seventeen minutes ago and my classroom is turned upside down and it doesn’t bother me in the least because every single one of them was smiling as they left. The biggest smile was mine, of course, because these little people make me happy.
If we can’t spend our days with our own children than it is our pleasure to spend them with yours. I’m betting the people you work with don’t run to you for hugs just because you’re you. I’m betting they don’t make you play dough cookies and homemade cards. I’m betting they don’t tug on your cardigan and look up and ask for a kiss on a booboo on their elbow (at least I hope they don’t).
I don’t know what it is that you do for a living, but I hope it offers you a fraction of the satisfaction that teaching offers so many of us.
