This is why I teach

[Krafty]

As I've explained in other threads, I am working toward being a teacher. So, inspire me. What made you choose teaching or what was that one classroom experience that made you realize "this is why I teach"?

[happyteacher]

This was my first year teaching and I know now why I teach. The children in my class formed such a strong bond that no one stood alone in my class. To know that I helped these students form this bond is a reason that I always wanted to teach. Once you see the kids grow in your class you will know why you wanted to do what you do.

[javamomma]

I teach because I never out grew my "after school snack" :)

Seriously, it is a great job to have and be a mom too.

[Ms. M]

I teach reading program called Ramp-Up, it's reading skills based, some of you may be familiar with it. Anyway, there's a "cross-age tutoring" component where the students read a picture book and prepare a lesson plan and activities for 1st and 2nd graders then go to an elementary and teach their picture books to a 1st or 2nd grader. The first time I did this I was blown away. The students who I needed to light a fire under in the classroom sat down with their "student" and turned out to be the most excellent "teachers" I had ever seen. They were showing the pictures, and asking their questions, and really showed the little ones that they cared about them, they were very patient and I got to see a very different side of some of my students. It was that experience that made me realize that I was in the right profession.

[AAA Teacher Forum]

It's also the only thing I know! I grew up with two younger sisters and when we weren't outside running around we were inside playing school.

It may sound corny, but I love those "I get it!" moments. After you've explained something several times in several different ways, it means so much to see them finally understand the concept.

Teaching is something I believe that I was destined to do.

Jennifer

[TeacherRW]

When I was younger, I wanted to avoid teaching like the plague, seriously! My aunts were teachers and I have never really cared for them. All of a sudden, I was in my senior year of HS and my "calling" took root. For as many frustrations I have, I have an equal number of those touching moments.

Right after Labor Day, I had one of those moments that made me realize just how much I impact children's lives. I received a letter from a student who was in my classroom 2 years ago. Her letter told me that she thought I was an important person in her life and how she would never forget me. (I guess to get the real feel for it I should type it here BUT it is at school in my desk should I ever need to open it up when having one of "those days".) This little gal's parents were separating and the situation was not good. I was the only stable thing in her life that year and I truly believe that she will always remember that.

[sweetsass]

There are so many moments in each day that make me grateful to be a teacher. Like today, when two of my girls from the basketball team (I'm also a coach, which is also teaching) came to visit me at lunch. Or when two particular students take such pride in being my assistant.

My first year teaching was last year, and I got a yearbook, which I had some of the kids sign. I was really really really touched by some of the things they said.

I love my job. Wouldn't want to do anything else.

[prinderella]

We all know that teachers don't make lots of money or that the time off is really not time off but with all that said, we are a constant in kids lives and that they instinctively know that we care and while i hate the term "psychic income" , I am forced to say that it is true. I don't get the same "high" from any other source. Enjoy the beginning of your teaching experience, it is something that one day you will look back on and remember.

[Krafty]

Thank you all for sharing! I am truly disenchanted with corporate America and am looking forward to this change. It is probably going to take me at least a year to get the Praxis exams passed and find a position, but I really want to make the jump right now!

Hoping that bumping this to the top will inspire some of the newer members to share also :)

[TeacherRW]

I have to remember to bring my book home!! Thanks for bumping this thread!

[amanda]

These are the days I know why i teach. A young man in my 8th grade class who normally is very rough with the ladies saw a girl before class and a few of his so called "Buddies" picking on her. To my knowledge he thought being physical was a norm. But here he went to her rescue and told them to leave her alone. I realized in that moment that I could help someone mature by just talking to him. It's those small victories you must hold on to.

[iteachsocialstudies]

Yeah! I love moments like those~

[sara52345]

Since I was 5 years old, I have wanted to be a teacher. I loved to play school in my basemet at home. I don't know why, but there is something in me that just loves this profession. I am in my last semester at college and finally ready to embark on an incredible journey, or so I hope! These stories have really inspired me, thanks teachers!

[dolmansaxlil]

It's the "I get it" moments.

It's the moments when I see a kid do something really spectacular - like stand up for another kid in the class.

It's the moments when I hand a kid a book and tell them I think they'd enjoy it, and they come back and tell me that they loved it, and ask if I have any more like it.

And it's the kid in my class who doesn't do well in school and makes bad choices quite often, but when I sit down and help him with an assignment, he gives me a genuine thank you.

[Hunbun5]

I stayed in teaching because of the kids. I began in Special Ed and then moved to primary. Even tho the "lightbulb" moments are few and far between, I thrive on them. I got into teaching to help the kids and have remained there since. Admittedly, the older I get, the greater the perks of summers and weekends off become, too.

However,I retire in 69 days. I am not going to be sad. I have had my share of inept administrators and disgruntled parents.

I'll just have to pursue something else that has it's rewards too.

[Ranchogirl]

I experienced "the calling" in the 7th grade, when after I came home and complained to my mother that I did NOT want to take woodshop, she somehow arranged for me to spend my elective period helping out in a kindergarten classroom. I was hooked!

Even prior to that I would play school with the neighborhood kids on my porch. I was the teacher (of course) and I would go so far as to send notes home to parents (to be signed) and give homework. I even set up a "classroom" with TV tables and folding chairs. Like I said - I experienced a calling of sorts, and I think that most teachers here can share some kind of similar happening.

At various times in my life I've explored other careers, and each and every time I've realized that I am not meant to do anything else but teach.

And I have to concur that it's a great job to have if you're a mom as well. The only other career I could say that for would be nursing - but I don't have the stomach for that. (I did consider it - I was a candy striper for two years!)

Teaching is fun and rewarding. It's a noble profession.

[SLP]

:) I spent several weeks concentrating on Valentine's Day "I Love You" theme activities with my preschool special ed class. A parent of an autistic child came in & told me that she and her husband had received the best Valentine's gift ....their 5 1/2 yr old son told them "I love you." for the first time ever! Those are the moments that make it all worthwhile. :)

[Krafty]

Some great new stories, thank you all! SLP, yours is particularly inspiring :)

[aganesh]

There is a sense of joy and pride when the light bulb turns on for our students', this is truly what keeps me going. I am thrilled to be there each day and seem to push myself harder when my students' make the effort and want to learn.

[SLP]

Your postings are inspiring! Thanks.

[Carolyn B]

:) I spent several weeks concentrating on Valentine's Day "I Love You" theme activities with my preschool special ed class. A parent of an autistic child came in & told me that she and her husband had received the best Valentine's gift ....their 5 1/2 yr old son told them "I love you." for the first time ever! Those are the moments that make it all worthwhile. :)


I had a student during my student teaching who is a high-functioning autistic student. She never spoke in class. I was told "She won't talk" on the first day I met her. I decided my goal was to get her to speak to me before I had to leave. I worked with her over three weeks, asking simple questions that only required a head nod in response. I never pushed her to answer anything directly.

One day, I saw her sitting at her table, working on something. I wandered over, sat down next to her and said, "How's it going?" She promptly replied, "Goooood".

I ran out into the hall, pumped my fists in the air and said softly, "She talked to me!!!!" Tears literally filled my eyes.

Later that day, I saw her standing at her locker and gently and unassumingly went over to her and whispered, "When you spoke to me today, that was the BEST day I ever had. Thank you!"

The following afternoon, we were to meet with her parents to discuss her IEP plans. When I introduced myself, her parents said, "You're her student teacher? She came home from school yesterday and was just glowing. She couldn't stop talking about how she made the "student teacher's day". Thank you for taking such an interest in her. That really meant a lot." THAT was when I realized WHY I am a teacher.

Now, my thrills come whenever a student says, "You're my sub today? COOL!!!!" and gives me a knuckle bump on the way to class. Or, I give the students a brain teaser and they come back at the end of the day with the answer -- because I know they've spent all day trying to figure it out. I get a lot of "Mrs B, you're the best substitute this school has" or "Why can't you be my regular teacher?" (no offense to regular classroom teachers). It makes me feel so good when the students tell me this. It's not about me, it's about how THEY feel having me in their world.

By the way, this should probably be said...I have strict rules in the classroom when I'm subbing. The kids don't "like me" because I let them run wild and goof off. Absolutely not acceptable. I have met some subs who do allow the kids to do this, and it is usually a very chaotic classroom.

[LInda2007]

I am there for the students. I love to challenge them. I love to build their self esteem. I love to let them know they are special and can do whatever they set their minds to do. I love to see them grow and change as they learn.

I taught a local an accountant when he was in 3rd grade. I saw him later when his kids were in my school. He told me it was ME that made the difference in his life. He said he felt like a failure until third grade and I told him how smarrt he was and helped turn aroudn his attitude. He said he owed his success as a businessman to me.

This year I had officially "retired" from 36 years of classroom teaching to teach Title 1 reading for grades K-3 at the same schhool where I taught. Not long ago a thrid grader was checking her AR points. She told me she had 37.8. I told her I was very proud of her! I asked her how that compared to this time last year. Her reply" To tell you the truth, until YOU came along I didn't even LIKE to read. Now I LOVE IT!"

Another third grader earlier this year...I taught the skill fact/opinion. He had one of those "I GET IT" looks. He said..Thank you so much for having this today. We had it in the classroom this morning and I didn't have a clue how to do it. Now I understand.

I have thousands of stories like that from over the years. That's why I teach.

LINDA

[Fransisca]

This is my simple reasons on why I teach,

I teach to see their smiles in the morning throughout the afternoon.
I teach to see their confused faces when they have to present their projects.
I teach to see their tears transform into a nod of agreement.
I teach to see their creativity in applying what they learn into their own signature results (sometimes in a good way).
I teach to tap on their shoulders and smile after they did good or sometimes not so good things.
I teach to see the kids that really despise reading now carrying novels everywhere with a smile.
I teach to wait them who refuse to speak to open their mouth and contribute something to the class.
I teach to help them fix their chaotic composition.

On top of that, I teach to be with the students.

[joikokab]

I see it has an opportunity for me to impart the burning knowlege that has always been in me.
I also know that has a teacher i have the powwer to change the world.
Teaching also make you more creative.
JOY

[hot_teacher]

Plain and simple. I love children!