We have all read them, the articles about why good teachers
quit. We have all read about why teachers are leaving the profession, why they
don’t stick it out.
Where are the articles/blogs about why good teachers teach?
Why is no one writing about the dedication to stay? Why are we all focusing on
the negative about teaching, instead of the positive? Shouldn’t someone write
about why we teach, why thousands of teachers retire from teaching? We need to
celebrate those teachers, instead of applauding those who give up.
Well, here I am!! I am here to talk about why I teach, why
I’m not quitting.
Let me start by saying that teaching is a lot of work, there
is no doubting that. Teachers work long hours, at home, on the weekends, and
over their breaks. Teaching takes a lot of work; it is so much more than
teaching a lesson and grading an assignment. If you are getting into teaching
because you think it is easy, the job isn’t for you.
Now that we all know that teaching is a lot of work, let’s
look at the positive. Teachers get to walk into their classroom every day and impact
lives. That is a BIG job! You are helping to mold students every year, having
in impact, whether big or small, as to whom that child will be one day. Don’t
ever forget that, teachers. We get to help students learn and grow, and they
depend on us way more than we realize. Children need teachers, and they need good ones who are dedicated.
So let me tell you why I am not going to quit, why I won’t leave.
First of all, I was taught commitment and dedication. I was
taught to not give up just because the going gets tough. I hate that teachers
are quitting, because their job is hard. Get over it! Work is hard, but with
hard work comes great rewards.
I’m not going to be modest here. These kids need me. I’m not
going to sit here and say I am God’s gift to teaching, because I know better,
but I’m also not going to pretend that I don’t make a difference. Kids need a
teacher to dedicate their lives to them, to work hard for them, and not give
up. How can we teach the kids perseverance, if we just give up? What message
does that send to the hundreds of kids that come into our lives? Children need
teachers who are going to be a good role model for them, teachers to inspire
them and push them.
I’m not afraid of hard work. I won’t quit because we have
too much to do. Like I said, teaching is hard work, so don’t kid yourself into
thinking you can work 7:45-3:45. When people quit something because it is too
hard, or too much work, to me that sounds like they are lazy. Lazy isn’t
something I want people to say about me (unless it’s a Sunday afternoon and I’m
watching Netflix). I’m not going to quit a career I worked so hard for, just
because I have too much to do each week.
For me, my job comes down to one major incentive, the kids.
If I, a dedicated and hardworking teacher quit, then what? Who will be left to
teach these kids, to help inspire, push and mold them? Who will be there to
love them? Teachers who quit have no right to complain about the future of this
country, because at one point they had the opportunity to change it. That is an
opportunity I don’t take for granted.
