Tell The World Why You Teach

Yes, I teach because if you take my annual salary and divide by hours put in, the 12-13 bucks an hour is so very much. My family and I love doing the math at least once a week.
And I teach because until I get tenure (which is harder and harder to do as the economy plunges), my boss can fire me without any reason at all. And he/she can pretty much expect me to do whatever they need without complaint or argument.
And I teach because I love dealing with kids and parents who have no respect for anyone or anything, and there's nothing like twenty-five years spent in frustration and panic over where kids are headed.
But mainly I teach so that the number of morons in the world, like yourself, will decrease everyday I'm in the classroom.

S. Hudson

I hope you don't teach English, or High School, because your students are not being served. Teaching is not about the salary, or the benefits; it is about helping kids become better people, and preparing them for the world beyond school. The kids shouldn't be an after-thought; they should be the only reason you teach.

As my students would say - "Gee - are you bitter or what?" Sounds to me like you are in the wrong profession. Time to refelct on our life and make a change - we do not need teachers with your attitude in our schools. And by the way, you should reconsider writing in texting-mode when addressing your colleagues.

Have a great day!

How very saddened I was to read the negative posts in response to the question "Why I Teach?"
Having taught 34 years, I have a pretty good idea about my reason for teaching. It wasn't about the money---most other professions pay a great deal more; it wasn't about the insurance or the "guaranteed" cost of living increase after retirement, which, at this writing, was eliminated by our state for retirees this year. My reason for teaching was and still is because I believe in the power of one---that I can make a positive difference, however small, in the lives of the students I've touched. Besides the charge I would get every time I presented a lesson that was "spot on," I taught because I wanted to leave the love of fine literature and the love of writing with my students. I wanted to challenge them to be the best people they could be. Now when I hear from a number of them who, by the way, have become teachers, jet pilots, doctors, lawyers, bankers, etc. I am pleased that they remember me, and I feel as if just maybe I had a part in what they became.

Seriously! I wish I had the opportunity that you have and glad you were never my teacher. It is devastating to think that the future of this world, our children, lie in the hands of many who think just like you. There are many other careers out there that could benefit from your cut throat philosophy.

Just remember one thing, the children that you teach, are the adults who will take or not take care of YOU in the future. Be careful what and how you teach.

Oh, by the way, there is no such thing as a bad teacher in the sense that everything you teach (Including the rotten attitude) will be learned by your students in school and your own children at home.

Peace,

M.G. Riley,
It's obvious you're not a real teacher. You are someone who thinks teachers have it made and you are very bitter about it. If you really taught, you would not say those things. Also, I would hope that a real teacher would understand that the letter "I" is always capitalized, sentences begin with a capital and end with a period, and run-on sentences are not acceptable. This is true even if you are sending an email.
Leave the "Why I Teach" responses to people who really teach. If you haven't taught, you have no concept of what it's like or why people do it.

It is obvious Michael Riley is someone who "thinks" he knows all about teachers and teaching, but clearly is "clueless". Obviously he did not pay attention in school and probably dropped out or passed with the thrill of having a D- in English.

Sounds like you could actually USE some education. Your post is filled with inaccuracies and misspellings. I certainly hope you are not a teacher.

Thanks Scott, I really appreciated your comments. I work in education but don't have the privelege of teaching academics directly everyday. I am often inspired by the teachers I observe. I appreciate their eagerness and dedication. I imagine they teach because it brings them joy and is fulfilling.
Anyone that spends a good part of their life doing something that does not bring them these things is short changing themselves and the students they serve.
I work in education because it is invigorating, challenging, demanding and critcal to our world. These are things I value - they bring meaning to my life. I thank the kids, the families and the professionals I work with each day for the opportunity to do something I love.
What could be better than that?

I appreciate hearing someone speak about the value of teaching as it applies to the students rather than themselves. I could easily say that I teach because of the feelings I get from it, I have also found teaching to be lucritrive for the time I spend, but there is no way I would be able to do it well if it weren't for the fact that the students' growth continues to stimulate me to become a better teacher. I see the next generation as one full of hope and potential, kindness and generosity. It is important to have someone help shape this and it is a joy to witness. Anyone who is not teaching for the sake of their students would do well to go back to some personal learning in order to get more out of their job by giving more from it.

Finally! Someone I can easily relate to! GOD BLESS YOU for your passion about the best profession on earth. And, for those who do not understand it: WE teachers are not simply lucky... WE are Blessed!