A Letter to Those Who Ask, "Are you sure...?"

I get a few different reactions when I tell people what my major is and what I want to do with it. The first is something along the lines of: "Wow! so you must be a genius or something, right?" To which I usually sarcastically remark, "Yeah, I wish." Internally thinking that if they could see my Calc 2 grades they might not think so highly of me. But I digress.

Another reaction I get usually goes like this:

"What do you want to do with your biochemistry major?" 

"Well, the plan is to do research and teach. We'll see."

"Oh wow, are you sure you want to teach?!" 

....

How to respond to this. To their incredulous face and condescending voice.

The first time, I was shocked and ignored it. The second, I simply stared into their face, said, "Yes," and walked away, fuming but triumphant. The third time, I ignored it again.

This response hurts and angers me, and I find myself stewing about it for weeks, which is unusual for me. I've been thinking about it recently and I want to know why I get so upset about it.
So, to figure myself out, I wrote this letter to those who ask, "Are you sure?!".



Dear [you who asked, "Are you sure you want to teach?!"],

Yes, I am sure.
Let me stop you right here, before you start telling me all the reasons I should rethink this decision. 
I'm not an idiot. I know that teaching is hard. That students can be crazy and their parents crazier. I also realize that it doesn't pay well. That the hours are crazy and sacrifices will have to be made. From this vantage point, the return on investment is close to non-existent. You probably think you're doing me a favor by making sure I am aware of this. Saving me from my own naivety, I suppose. You've hurt my pride, and I may be mad now, but I will be thanking you in the end. 
But I have my reasons for being sure.

First, let me start with a question: Why do you do what you do? 

Because my guess, (correct me if I'm wrong) is that whatever you're doing, you started doing it because of a teacher. 

All of us have had teachers. In their most informal, basic form, they are parents, mentors and friends. Formally, they appear in institutions like schools and the workplace. For good or bad, they are the ones who show us who we want to be when we "grow up". They model the lifestyle, character and personality of those who love science, english, and history, or mechanics, gardening, and computers. And you, the student watches and takes notes. Not just on paper, but also internally. Watching and matching your personality, character and lifestyle with theirs, and depending on if you like what you see, wondering if you could grow up to be like them.

I want to be a teacher who inspires. Who is a model for a lifestyle that is joyful and loving. Who gives chemistry and scientists a good name. Who gives Christians an even better one.

Second, I want to enable dreams. I want to be the teacher who teaches to the best of her ability, so that you can chase your dream, whatever it is. So that you can't say, "Well I didn't get to do [insert dream] because my chemistry teacher was awful."

Third, because the classroom is one of my favorite places to be. Both in front of a group of students, and sitting as a student on the receiving end, I love the classroom. The passion I have for learning and teaching is so strong, it's almost like it was written into my DNA. It's something that turns me on, stimulating both the left and right side of the brain, to be creative and smart. To me, nothing is more rewarding than having the "lightbulbs turn on" in a student's eyes. I don't know if I can describe the feeling of teaching or learning. The best I can do is put it this way: I never feel more in my element than I do when I am teaching. 

I think it would physically hurt me to not be a teacher.

So, here's a quick lesson made just for you, courtesy of a future teacher. If you meet someone who says they want to be a teacher, kindly and genuinely ask, "Why?", instead of "Are you sure?" (tone is key here). If they give good reasons, be thankful there are people in the world who want to be good teachers, so that you don't have to be. If they do have flaws in their reasoning, gently point them out, and go on your merry way. 

But whatever you do, do not disrespect their desire to make a difference. Do not look condescendingly into their face and think, "She has no idea what she is getting into" even if that may be true. I may not entirely know what I am getting into, but I know that not getting into it would be a mistake. I know that the teachers I have had have been some of the biggest influences on who I am today. And I know I want to make a difference the way they have made a difference to me.

Again, yes. I am sure of this decision - above many others, and now I hope you understand why.

~Paula