Why teach?

"Why am I even here?"  It is a question I have been asking myself a lot more often than I would like to admit this school year, but after a few deep breaths I always remember.  It is the thoughts that go through my head at the times I find myself questioning what I really consider to be my calling in life that is the purpose of this blog.  If you are currently a teacher I hope that some of the things I share with you in this blog will help you the next time you are feeling overrun and under appreciated which unfortunately seems to be occurring more and more. 

As anyone who has spent any significant amount of time in a classroom teaching can attest, it is truely one of the most difficult, challenging, stressful, demanding, and time consuming occupations one can have.  In fact, one of the major reasons I've been unable to write since August is because I simply have not found the time to do so.  So bothersome was this to me that one of my many New Year's resolutions was to write and post at least 2 blogs a month.  Well...I completely bypassed the month of January and February is nearly over, but better late than never.  Hopefully, I will make myself stay on track now that I've begun.  Another thing people who have taught in the public school system will verify is the fact that the meager monetary compensation forces many to either work multiple jobs or leave the profession altogether. So again I pose the question, "Why teach?"

As teachers we are among the most educated people in society, but also among the lowest paid and most under appreciated.  We are constantly belittled and put down by many in society at large.  We are disrespected consistently by students, parents, and members of the media. We are tremendously overworked and underpaid.  I have a Master's Degree from one of the finest teaching universities in America and I am in my sixth year of teaching still making a first year teacher salary.  I have had either a part-time job or been lucky enough to pick up contracted jobs doing odds and ends to help supplement my pitiful income, so that has helped.  The problem is that I don't think I, or any teacher for that matter, should have to do anything other than teach.  So once again I ask the question, "Why teach?" 

I have several responses to this question.  The following are the things I remind myself of during those stressful moments when I find myself wanting to either run full speed into rush hour traffic wearing a blindfold, or throw some students off the tallest building around.  I hope they help you.

1) Arrogant or Delusional? -

I am quite simply arrogant enough to believe that I can actually fix all the many things wrong in and about my students while also providing them with the educational foundation they each need to succeed at the next level. Some consider this way of thinking as more delusional than arrogant, but I think that anyone who chooses, and truly loves teaching, has to have some sort of 'Save the World' mentality in order to be successful.

2) If not me...then who? -

There comes a point in which the metaphorical buck can only be passed so far before someone makes a stand. As educators I think one of the many responsibilities we accept is that the buck must stop with us. Obviously society, many parents, and many aspects of modern pop culture are failing our children, so it is placed upon our (teachers) shoulders to right all the wrongs. Teachers are constantly on the front lines in a never ending battle to save our students from the damage caused by their far too often horrible home lives, a pop culture that continually glorifies that which should not see the light of day, and a society that I feel not only promotes, but encourages a sense of entitlement in so many of our students. Students constantly want to be praised for doing the things they are suppose to do...

"Mr. Styron, I did my homework!!" says little Johnny, who then stares blankly at me with a confused grin on his face as if I should notify the press and throw him a parade.

"Mr. Styron, if I behave today what do I get?!!"...how about if you behave I will not feel the need to repeatedly punch you in the throat?

The point is that if no one else is going to help our students realize how backward their thinking has become we are essentially doomed as a society. This is another reason I choose to teach.

3) I'm meant to do this.

Ever since the lottery became legal in the state of North Carolina I've frequently been asked what I would do if I ever won.  Well, I'd do a lot...but that's for another blog.  What I tell people always garners me stranger than normal looks, because I tell them I would continue to teach.  Perhaps not in the public school system, but I would definitely find somewhere to teach. I have to do it. I love it. It is like breathing.  Are there bad days? Absolutely! In fact, the bad days are terrible, but there are also many good days.  Just like the bad days are terrible, the good days are unbelievably awesome!!  The key is to have more good days than bad, and typically it works out that way.

4) We are getting through to our kids.

As educators we often become so bogged down in the mountains of paperwork and seemingly endless, neverending, and mostly pointless meetings that we lose sight of why we began teaching in the first place.  It was to make a positive difference in the lives of our students.  As I noted earlier the hours and salary certainly aren't a draw.  This fact was driven home to me just today in a wonderful handwritten note I received from a student.  For the past 8 years my wife and I have coached the track and field division (ages 21 and up) of the Pitt County Special Olympics, and for four of those years I have been taking students with me each Saturday to experience the joy it brings me.  A student I took this past Saturday wrote the following things:

"Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to help volunteer at the Special Olympics. It was extremely fun."

"It didn't just make my day, it made my life."

"I really do think you inspire your students..."

"You really look out for your students..."

"You are the reason I want to teach...I want to make an impact on my students, and make them enjoy school. You have done that for me."

It is these types of things that keep us all coming back for more.  As the old saying goes, "Find a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life."