Why I Teach

If you ask a teacher why he or she decided to enter the profession, they will probably say something along the lines of wanting to make a difference in the lives of young people or wanting to change the world.  If you ask a new teacher you are likely to see a far off dreamy look in their eyes while the rehash Whitney Houston’s song, “Greatest Love of All.”  But, any teacher with more than a few weeks under his or her belt might also admit to having their fair share of struggles.  As the principal at my school says, “This isn’t Candyland, people!”  So, it is safe to say the profession provides its share of rewards and challenges.

I fell into teaching quite by accident.  Having been laid off from my job as a college registrar in the economic crash in 2009, I found myself on unemployment and having to move back home to my small, rural hometown.  After battling unemployment for two years, I decided enough was enough, that my old career was dead, and it was time to move forward onto brighter horizons.  I wanted a job that above all else provided job security.  I wanted a profession in high demand.  Mostly, having decided to stay in my rural hometown, I wanted a job my town actually had to offer me.  So, I started substitute teaching to give it a try.  Little did I know I’d fall in love with teaching.  Now, after five years as a teacher, though I experience my ups and downs with the profession, I feel fairly grounded in my decision that this is my true career path.

Although I spent a few years teaching Special Education, I have found that I am much happier as an English Language Arts teacher.  I am currently working at Opportunities for Learning Public Charter School as a 7th, 8th, and 9th grade English teacher.