Behind every lesson plan, there’s a greater reason that teachers stand in front of their students. You may think they do it because they love teaching or they love helping others, but the answer is much deeper.
Good teachers are not motivated to teach because of the paycheck or because they think they need to. They think it is their purpose, they are passionate, and they want to shape the future of their students.
So, why do teachers teach? Every teacher’s answer will be different. Understanding them shows what teaching means to them and why it is so special. Teachers can change a student’s future, how they see the world, and how they treat others. They can help their students and lead them to their full potential. Teaching is about making a positive impact and helping students succeed.
Many teachers feel responsible because they know their teaching can change lives. “Being a teacher, I can have a direct impact on the trajectory of a student’s life. The idea that I can leave a lasting impression on a student, and the responsibility that comes along with that, makes me very passionate about my job,” says Mr Doyle, a new history teacher at Jenison.
For many teachers, the real joy of teaching comes from the students they teach. Mr Doyle agrees with this when he states that “my students are the best thing about teaching. While that is typically a “cliche answer” from teachers I truly believe it.”
Students also have clear ideas of what makes a teacher stand out. They all have that one teacher that made them excited to come to class. They appreciate teachers who balance supporting their students and keeping students under control. “The best teachers I’ve had are chill, empathetic, kind, and not too strict but not too lenient as well. Those are the teachers that I remember,” says Adam Topolinski, a Senior at Jenison.
Teachers play an important role in students’ lives. They not only help us learn new things, they also shape who we become. Some people might wonder why teachers choose teaching. It can be hard work at a lower wage than most jobs. So why? The answer is easy. They care about helping students. They want to make a difference and help students succeed.
For some teachers, they want to share the passion they have for a subject. Others want to make the world a better place by walking students in the right direction. Every student is unique. That is why teachers work as hard as they do to make good lesson plans that are easy to follow for all students. No matter the subject, their goal is the same: to help students grow and create a safe, inclusive classroom.
To answer the question, teachers teach because they have passion for what they do. They understand that each student is their own flower with different wants and needs to grow. Their dedication is very admired. That’s why teachers teach and why it is not a job, it is a purpose.
