For the research aspect of this blog post, I found a few outside resources. The first one:
http://712educators.about.com/od/teacherresources/tp/teachergood.htm
This article is rather simple, but gives one an idea about why some people choose to teach. This particular teacher lists things like seeing a student succeed, job security, and even brushing up on a few subjects while you work to teach it to your students. The author states that the job isn't for everyone, but the top 10 reasons why she teaches gives one an insight on just what rewards there are in store for those who think the job is perfect for them.
Here's another author on a different website, listing a good 50 reasons why he loves teaching!
http://teaching.monster.com/careers/articles/7694-50-reasons-to-love-teaching
These reasons are more in depth, and some are even a little more personal to him as a specific person. But regardless, this is another list that personally gives ME insight to why people choose this profession, and why they love it.
This particular discussion article from this module really got me thinking.
https://elearning.salemstate.edu/courses/935572/files/36551095/download?wrap=1
Here was my response to this article, when asked to discuss a few stand out quotes.
"One quote that was memorable for me was on page 24, underneath the question heading "What do you want from the children...". The quote that stuck out personally was "If students have to go to school, if the teacher is paid and the students are not, if the young expect to learn something from the older in order to become more powerful themselves, then the teacher who pretends to be an equal of the student is both a hypocrite and a disappointment in the students' eyes." At first, I read this and I thought it was quite the statement, and kind of out of line. But I kept reading. "This does not mean that the teacher doesn't learn with or from the students, nor does it mean that the teacher must try and coerce the students into learning or be the source of all authority. It does mean, however, that the teacher ought to have some knowledge or skills to share, mastery of the subject that the students haven't already encountered and might be interested in." Now, even as I analyzed this paragraph I'm still not entirely sure if I like how it was worded. In a sense, no, the student and the teacher are not "equals". Yes, the teacher is in charge and above the students in a manner, but that does not mean the teachers have to act like they are above them in every circumstance. Getting on the level of a student, making them feel like they can connect with you is very important to creating a successful learning environment. And it is very, very possible that every single day, a teacher will learn something from a student. So, I do believe this was a harsh statement, and I believe that it could have been altered but I do agree with the basis of it. But there's nothing wrong with making the students feel at least equal as a human being.
One last quote that stuck out was on page 26. It reads, "Great patience and humor, an ease with physical contact, and an ability to work with one's hands as well as one's mouth are needed for teachers of five - and six-year-olds. A lack of sexual prudery is almost a prerequisite for junior high school teachers, while physical and personal confidence and the love of some subject make work with high school students much easier." This goes to show simply how teachers of all age groups must adjust and work with students that fit in with how they are willing to connect or interact with them. Each age group has different qualities they need to succeed. Sometimes, these could be challenged, yes, and maybe going outside your comfort zone is sometimes good. But generally speaking, it is clear that not all students of different ages can be treated the same."
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When it comes to why teachers choose to teach in the USA, I found a website about the differences in teaching around the world.
http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/teacher-blog/2014/sep/05/how-the-job-of-a-teacher-compares-around-the-world
The first aspect looked at was pay. And the USA is not on top of that list. There are actually about 10 countries that have annual wages above that of the US. When it came to respect, the US fell at around the middle. However, the US was listed to have spent the most on education. So why do people teach in the US? It's a promising area. It's not an awful place to teach and it's probably most convenient and obvious to people who live here.
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As a non-education major, this module really helped me to see just why so many people are passionate about this profession. It may be a tough road, but it's obviously very worth it and very rewarding. I hope that the same rewards come with what I choose to do when I work with children in my own field.
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