Why

I am asked this question often so I should have a quick reply by now but I do not.  Today a friend of mine asked me "why do you still teach"  I wonder does anyone ask doctors why they still do their job but I am asked this at least once a month.  What is somewhat disturbing is that I am asked this by my colleagues.

Anyhow the first thing that always pops into my mind is because I love it.  At this time in my life their is not another job that I would want rather than teaching.  I have had a chance to be department chair fairly often in the past, offered teacher mentor program but none of these really motivate me more than being a teacher.

Why, because when I think of teaching a rush of students names go through my head.  When Clinton won his first presidential election the theme was "It is about economy stupid"  I find it the same way about education, It is about students stupid.

Now sometimes they (anyone above a teacher) might make working with students harder but the truth is that no matter who I have worked for in education it has not hindered me from helping students learn and achieve.  There is nothing more rewarding than see the lightbulb go off in a students brain and to know they get it.  Watching kids who swore to me that they could not compete with this top students now competing and often beating some of the top.  Watching a kid who I was told would not graduate enter an AP class and be successful.  Watching students succeed is like a drug to me and it is highly addictive.

The last few years I have come to realize that mental health is much more important than academic well being.  Three good things and the gratitude visit are all part of that mental well being.   Again hearing from past students that they still do three good things, or that they have written gratitude visits on their own make me feel that you can make a difference.  It inspires me to try to become a better teacher so that I can help more people feel this way.

The challenge is great since no two classes are alike as well as no two students.  So to try to get the most out of everyone is a challenge that keeps me up at night and allows me to wake up early.  I know many of my friends earn more money than I do but most of them dread going to work.  I actual love going to work.

Like any job, this job has its down days.  When that happens I try to talk with students.  They are the ones that pick up my spirit.  I have been lucky to teach amazing students who wake up early to attend reviews, study with me during their lunch and often stay after school.  The other day I was working with one student, then another joined us, then a third and finally a fourth.  It was just an impromptu meeting but it was great watching some of our schools brightest students working at mastering the material.

So after my rant my friend just looked at me and said, "that is what I thought  you would say"  Feel free to comment or leave any thoughts to the blog.