Why Teaching is a Calling, Not Just a Career
Apr 28, 2023
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Teachers’ strikes in different countries have been all over the media lately, but there are still strong arguments to support that teaching is more of a calling than a career. While remuneration concerns are valid ones, it remains one of the most respected, impactful mentor roles around the world. Those who step into teaching do so to share their skills and passions and make a difference in the lives of the young people with whom they cross paths. Everyone remembers the one educator that made a difference in their trajectory.
Why Do They Say it’s a Calling?
It may sound cliché, but it is one of the most used phrases people think of when the subject comes up. A calling is something your soul tells you that you were born to do. When you’re in the role, it feels like you are fulfilling your purpose. The impact you have is worth more than the hard times, and this is often a common feeling amongst teachers. The hours are long, the challenges are various, and it is by no means a mega money maker, but hundreds of people still undergo their teacher training every year in various formats.
What Makes Teachers So Impactful?
A person in this profession has many roles to speak of. This job is in no way limited to simply teaching a core subject (or subjects for younger children) and is in fact seen in many lights. While the pay deficits are causing a stir in some places, the point stands firm that teaching is not really about the money. Children and young people are not thinking about what a high earner the person standing at the front of the classroom is; they are considering whether or not there is a connection. Do they feel valuable? Will they understand the material? How will the teacher respond when they push a boundary? An educator that is able to connect with the young people they teach is one that impacts lives.
The Range of Skills on Offer
Teaching careers are some of the most versatile because there are so many routes to get in. Whether it is a masters in ESL building core skills for young people learning how to speak English, or teaching teens about the joys of Shakespeare, a great teacher leans into the process. It could be invoking thoughts and healthy debate in extracurricular groups, providing pastoral input for a child with nowhere else to turn — the list goes on.
Motivating the Next Generation
It may sound cheesy, but it is true. It is difficult to find a role out there that has more positive reverberations with the youth who need it most. Teachers are the ones they remember; whether it is fondly or otherwise, the impact is there. Whether it is in an ESL classroom, an extra math class for those who are falling behind, or a sympathetic ear when no one else will listen, there are too many ways to count.
Teaching is one of those jobs that you have to want to do in order to stay in it. It takes passion and drive, and absolute patience when the chips are down. It is hard to deny that it’s a calling for all these reasons.