I want to thank Participant Media for sponsoring this post, allowing me to help support teachers everywhere.

I never wanted to bring work into my blog before. I always felt like I needed a distinction between the two because I never wanted work problems or difficulties to somehow come up on my blog. I may mention teaching, or my classroom, or my kiddos, but I’ll never turn this into a teaching blog.

However…

Many of you have asked me why I teach…and I’m here to answer.

As a first year teacher, you’re asked this question a lot. Sure, you can give the “I want to make a difference” speech or the “I love children” speech, but it’s SO much more than that.

When I initially started college I had NO idea what I wanted to do. I changed my major so many times I can’t even count. Physical therapist, Pharmaceutical representative, Dentist… but being a teacher never crossed my mind. My friends all knew exactly what they wanted to do in life and I was at a crossroad. What did I do? I made terrible grades because my heart wasn’t into my studies, and I had a lot of reflecting to do.

Everyone suggested I become a teacher and I scoffed at the idea. I think I needed to figure it out by MYSELF what I wanted to do, and not hear it from others. I’d worked with kids since I was 13- babysitting, working with after school as a worker AND a coordinator, summer camp counselor- basically any job that dealt with kids- I did it.

It was really when I met Mathew that it dawned on me- I’m destined to work with children. I’m destined to teach.

I wanted to be that person that taught something to a kid that they would NEVER forget. I can’t tell you who taught me to tie my shoe, or tell time, or learn how to count money- but I do it EVERY day. I’m thankful for the person or people responsible for these invaluable things. I want to give back and do the same. Sure, many years down the road, former students won’t remember that I started teaching them time, or money, or how to add 10+5. But… they’ll remember it.

What I also realized? I wanted to teach at a Title I school. This means that my students are socioeconomically disadvantaged. My students need me MOST. I CAN make a difference to students that may not have as much of a chance as the kids that live in my own neighborhood.  Many of my students have parents who can’t assist them with homework because they don’t speak or read English. Many of my students rely on school as being the safest place they can be at. Many even deal with struggles like family members on drugs or in gangs, hunger, little sleep, or death of a relative. For an elementary student (and for ANY student, really) that’s HARD.

It’s only been a week into teaching, but I’ve been around kids for over 10 years. The road always comes with struggles, but it comes with so many successes as well. I love the connection I make with my kiddos. Not only do I get to teach them during the course of this year- but they’re going to teach me. Heck- they already have taught me MANY things in just the past week ALONE. I am looking forward to taking the struggles and successes head on this school year to learn about my students and about myself. Life, is always a learning process, and I intend to learn forever.

TEACH

I may not always talk about my job specifically on the blog (other than a “my week was great!” on Happies and Crappies) but I wanted to give you some insight into teaching. TEACH documentary by Academy Award-winning director, Davis Guggenheim, gives even MORE insight about education in American and asks the question: What Does It Take to Be A Great Teacher Today?

Following four dedicated teachers from different schools across the country over the course of one school year, TEACH gives viewers a window into the challenges, demands and rewards of teaching, with the purpose of elevating and promoting the profession, as well as engaging new teachers and supporting current teachers. We see that for the best teachers, it’s not just a job but a mission.

As intense as it is emotional, this year in the life of four public-school teachers illustrates how tenacity, passion and a belief in innovation drive these educators as they navigate the daily ups and downs of the 2012-2013 school year. These educators use conventional and unconventional methods and do whatever it takes to overcome obstacles and strive for success.

“TEACH” the two hour special television event presented by Participant Media is set to debut on the CBS Television Network tomorrow, September 6th, at 8:00 pm ET/PT. I encourage you and your family to watch it this week. It’s a topic near and dear to my heart, and hopefully it is near and dear to yours too.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links and/or product(s) sent from companies or their PR team for editorial consideration. For more information, please view my disclosure policy.