Why I Chose to Pursue a Career in Secondary Education

Abstract

Over the last few months of my research into pursuing a career in education I have been told many negative statements. A career in the education field is not all that it is cracked up to be. Teaching is not always fun, and if you are a person that craves constant recognition and likes having people say thank you, don't bother becoming a teacher are just a few. However, I believe that the rewards will out way the negativities.

How do people decide what career to pursue? For some it is a matter of a skill they possess, for some their families have decided for them, and for some people it is a desire in their heart. Most people decide to become a teacher fairly early in their life; however, I decided only recently to pursue a career in education. I can remember teachers over my years in school that has had an impact on my life; but, this did not influence my decision to become an educator. I have spent most of my adult life involved one way or another with the education system. Whether it was being a member of the PTO and dealing with the school board or volunteering at my child's school I have been around educators for many years. But it was not until I took a job at a private high school about 2 years ago that I began to consider a position in education. As it turned out this position has been the biggest influence in my decision to become an educator. In this position I was able to interact with the students a great deal; I was able to relate to them and still be able to help them in many of their decisions for their futures. I began to care about the students and hope that their futures would be bright. I started to think about a career change and go into education. As my own children grew and the more time I spent around the students the more I realized that there are many students who do not have anyone at home that cares or thinks about his or her futures and what students will need to succeed. I felt such a tug to become a person to help these students. A quote by Charles Platt captures this ability teachers possess. "Compassionate teachers fill a void left by working parents who aren't able to devote enough attention to their children. Teachers don't just teach; they can be vital personalities who help young people to mature, to understand the world and to understand themselves. A good education consists of much more than useful facts and marketable skills."
I have had the privilege just in recent weeks to substitute teach at a private high school. This experience has made my decision more solid with less doubt. Overall a teacher is a professional learner and that appeals to me. In the educational setting, the methods in which you perform your job are always changing. A teacher is never done learning, is always adapting their point of view, and using their imagination constantly. No matter the background of the child, his race, his gender, or his societal worth a teacher is able to give a child a chance at future success. That is a gift of a lifetime that no other career can provide.