Why I'm Excited About My Major

Many conversations stick in my mind, some better than others, but I will never forget any time someone begins to doubt my major. “Oh, you’re an education major? You do know you’re not going to get paid anything, right?” Or, “So, you’re classes are all pretty easy, right?” Unfortunately, I’m not always in the right position to inform this person of what being an education really means to me, and the other people that pursue this amazing career. But, I can inform you.

1. I will not dread going to work everyday.

You’re right, some days will be easier and I will have to deal with many different personalities, but I’m okay with that. I will not be going to work everyday realizing that I have to go sit behind a desk and stare at a computer for hours at a time. I will go to work and teach students, something I’m passionate about. I understand that some students don’t want to be there and they will make it obvious, but I will strive to make it as enjoyable for them as it is for me.

2. I want a new challenge everyday.

I know I may not teach at the best school in a district, and I’m okay with that, honestly. I would rather teach at a school that needs me than a school who gets perfect scores on their standardized tests. I know I won’t have the best behaved children in my classroom, but they will learn how to respect people. I know that I’m going to need patience, and I’m willing to spend hours on a subject in order to assure understanding.

3. I get summer breaks, recess, and arts and crafts.

Every person can’t say they get to do arts and crafts when they go to work, but I know I will. I’m not going to ask my students to participate in an activity that I haven’t done myself. I will sit with them and do it with them. I may not go play on the swings during recess, but I can go outside and get fresh air with them. I will be able to see how they interact outside of the classroom and I will be able to understand their personalities. Hello, two months off? I’ll take it. I may be planning lessons and preparing for the next year, but I get a break.

4. I have the opportunity to continue learning everyday.

There will be hardships that I’ve never had to face every now and then, but that gives me the chance to learn how to deal with it. Students will question me about every little thing, and I want that. I want them to challenge me and I will encourage them to be curious. It may get annoying, but if it will help them, I’d love to answer questions all day.

5. Think about your favorite teachers.

I know you’ve had a teacher, or five, that made an impact on your life. A teacher that introduced you to new concepts, helped you through hard times, and that you absolutely adored. See, I had several of those teachers. Teachers who made me realize what I wanted to do with my life. Not only that, but I also had some pretty crumby teachers. My mom always called me out for being too critical of them at the beginning of the school year, but I was picky because I knew what I wanted and what I would do.

6. The look on a student’s face when “the light bulb goes on.”

It doesn’t take every student the same amount of time for them to grasp a new lesson. That’s okay, I will make sure they eventually get it. I know that students learn in several different ways and I’m willing to figure out what way works best for each student. I don’t know if you’ve ever been around a student when he/she finally understands a problem, but the look on their face is priceless.

7. My classroom will be someone’s safe place.

I may not know what students are going through at home, and I’m not sure I want to know. But I am sure that my classroom will be one of the few places that a child feels comfortable. I want students to feel like they can come to me if they need someone to talk to. Some students will look forward to school just so they can get away from their house, and that’s okay with me. I will make sure it is a safe place for anyone.

8. Have you ever seen a child smile?

I don’t know if you’ve ever seen a child smile, genuinely. But it’s precious. That’s all I have to say about that.

9. What would this world be without teachers?

Would it even be anything? Would there be any success? Seriously, education is crucial in order to do almost anything these days. Someone had to teach Steve Jobs and I don’t think he would have been so successful without an education. Teachers challenge students, they embrace creativity, they empower people. That’s just my opinion.

10. It doesn’t have to stop with teaching.

In a business world, you work up the ladder and you start at the bottom. In the education world, I see it the same. If you know me, you know I don’t want to be a teacher for the rest of my life; I want to be a principal someday. However, I feel like I need to start from the bottom and make my way up to that position. I don’t understand how principals can properly lead a school without taking time to be in the front of a classroom. I think that in order to consider how others feel, you need to spend time in their shoes, their position.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for a teacher is approximately $55,000 per year. That may not seem like much to some, but I’ll also get paid in appreciation, smiles, and the light bulbs that go on. I can’t wait for the day that a former student comes back to visit me and says, “Thank you.” I can’t wait to hear about where they all go in life. I can’t wait to make an impact of children’s lives.