Teaching, a Noble Profession

I'm often asked, "Jackie, what's your major?" I always reply," Teaching adolescents history." The response I get generally comes in a wide range from an "Oh" to a "You've got to be kidding me." But one thing in common is the disgusted or horrified look on their faces.

If I had said I wanted to be a lawyer or a doctor, the response would have been more along the lines of "That is a great profession" accompanied by a handshake and good luck. I dread being asked the question because the response I get leaves me feeling ashamed of my chosen profession. Then, I think about it and realize I shouldn't be ashamed; teaching is a noble profession.

As teachers, we are educating future generations, shaping young minds and lives. We are responsible for the welfare and education of the 100 or so kids who will walk into our classroom every day. We've got a chance to impact each and everyone of them. A teacher's motivation and encouragement is extremely valuable to a child; it can change the child's life. Just imagine the science teacher who could have convinced a student to go into the field of medicine where he or she may discover the cure for cancer. That's just one of many examples.

We should be commended for picking a career inspired by passion or love instead of monetary gain. You'll be hard-pressed to find a Lubin student who isn't in it for the money. I can't imagine most people, or any Lubin student for that matter, willing to wake up at 6 a.m. each day, get to school by 8 a.m., teach from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. with barely a half-hour to eat lunch, stay another two hours after school to go to meetings or run after school programs, go to school or care for a family, spend three or more hours grading, and then an hour reviewing for the next day; doing all this, while only making, on average, $50,000 a year.

If you really think about it, a teacher's job is not much different from a doctor's or a lawyer's. All three require expertise in the area you're practicing extensively. All three have their students', patients' or clients' lives in their hands. All three are almost always working; when they're not physically on the job they're mentally on the job. Thus, it's only natural all three should be awarded the same respect.

Next time someone asks me what my major is and they make a face at my answer, I'll just turn to them and ask, "What's wrong with wanting to be a teacher?