Why did you become a teacher ? #tesol

I became a teacher because I thought it was my last chance of actually making something of my life. Also, I viewed it as a way of funding some more travelling and escaping the real world.
What actually happened is I got my first job in Spain, and I have been here ever since. I have fallen in love with teaching, I almost live and breath it. I think about it constantly. I would happily say I have made something of myself, although, there’s a a long way to go yet. I’m happy to be one of those lucky people who can actually say that they enjoy their job.
I sometimes feel like more than just an English teacher. An educator of life perhaps, telling stories, sharing my experiences and being someone the students can talk to unlike their other teachers. I like the idea of bringing values into the class and would like to talk about this more with my younger students.
I wish I had the time to volunteer like you, Brad. I admire your work ethic, although I don’t think my girlfriend would be too happy if I spent the rest of my spare time working, despite the cause.

HI Brad, another challenge, well I hope to respond to it in my own blog, even though I knew from the early age that I wanted to become a teacher, there were some other professions that I know I would be good at (not the cook though) but, I love working with students, I try to teach values, but how many will I affect,  do affect, I don’t know. All in all it a pleasure when some of my first students contact me, or see me in the streets and remember some great stuff from class, my energy and how it helped them or sth like that, it makes me feel better, more confident as I think there are still so many things I need to learn, and the world is changing, the way of teaching is changing as well, but the will for teaching is always the same! What do you think?

Hey Adam-

I can see how diving into teaching for other reasons can actually lead to the same path— enjoying the profession for its connection with students and challenging them to think beyond their context or set of beliefs.

Really glad to hear that you love what you do, and I had a hidden agenda here which you touched upon and I’m interested to see if someone addresses more directly.  I mentioned volunteering and ‘reach out’ activities because I’ve always enjoyed them, however, I think that if we choose a path that has a potential to impact our immediate population in a positive way, then there’s not necessarily a need to do extra because we’re already having an immediate and local impact.

Thanks again for stopping by and sharing !    cheers, b

Hey Mari-

“Teaching is changing, but the will for teaching is always the same”  I like this thought.  I think you’re hinting at a drive to enrich a student’s life… and I think many of us can only wish we have that positive of an impact.

I ask this question because I’m curious if others do feel like their impact is important.  Glad to hear how it is for you.  Thanks again for sharing !    Cheers, b

I became a teacher, because I fell in love with the English language. At the time I was really young and I was not able to understand that as I teacher I could plant seeds and share life experiences.
Nowadays I teach because I know that by doing this I can leave parts of who I am everywhere as well as take parts of people with me. I feel complete then.

I became a teacher, because I fell in love with the English language. At the time I was really young and I was not able to understand that as I teacher I could plant seeds and share life experiences.
Nowadays I teach because I know that by doing this I can leave parts of who I am everywhere as well as take parts of people with me. I feel complete then.

WOW… leandra, merci, merci, merci.

I identified with this comment in so many ways and am having flashbacks of my students.  I really enjoy the thought as well that the “why” of our teaching evolves.  Thanks… honestly your comment brightened my day.  Wahooo !!!

WOW… leandra, merci, merci, merci.

I identified with this comment in so many ways and am having flashbacks of my students.  I really enjoy the thought as well that the “why” of our teaching evolves.  Thanks… honestly your comment brightened my day.  Wahooo !!!

Hi Brad,

Well, first of all, you do already do a huge amount of fantastic voluntary work in
maintaining this blog which is read and enjoyed by many all over the world, so
thank you for that. A huge thanks should also go out to all of the other great
bloggers and tweeters in our PLN who invest their time to share.

Like you, I have always been drawn to helping others in some way, whether it was working
with people with mental and physical disabilities or teaching people how to fly
kites. I think the thing that we teachers have in common is a thirst for
knowledge and the ability and desire to help others develop through that
knowledge and to touch their lives, whatever it is we happen to be teaching. As
you wrote in response to Adam above, yes, it’s great to love what you do. And as
Adam and Marijana have both said, we still need to continue learning and
developing  ourselves. Bearing those points in mind there are two quotes which I often find myself coming back to:

Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life. Confucius

and
The only thing I know is that I know nothing. Socrates
[I’m not sure they’re the exact quotes, but you get the idea.]

So, Brad, aside from your New Year’s resolution to help even more people than you already are, what are you going to learn next?

Hi Brad,

Lovely post.

Well, long story. I started helping foreign students abroad with their essays and then got involved with refugee kids and worked with the council trying to help them in and out of schools. It was pretty tough as it was clear that many powers that be didn’t want them to stay and definitely not learn English. It was nice to make a difference though but there were so many things that you’d never expect, like a toy tank sent a kid into a fit because it reminded him of his previous life.

I guess I wanted to help people and teaching was a good way to do it that’s why it is annoys me when I have lazy students who don’t know how lucky they are.

Phil

I became a teacher because it provided an opportunity for me to travel before it was too late and to earn a decent income while doing so.  I didn’t know if I’d love or hate the job.  Now, the love of the job has overtaken my love of travel.  Like Adam, I am now one of those lucky people who can say they love their job.  When I finish work, I go home and read about teaching.  I feel at home in the classroom, and can’t imagine doing any other job.  I think I am a teacher for life.

I conducted “school” on a discarded chalkboard affirxed to the side of our carport when I was a little girl.  My mother provided lots of chalk, erasers, books, paper and pencils and my “students” , the neighborhood kids, sat at a picnic table and in aluminum lawn chairs.  I did not allow anyone else to be the “teacher” and no one seemed to mind.  That experience must have solidified my decision to become a teacher, for I remember it as if it were yesterday.  I still love the smells and bells of being in a classroom.  The shuffling of papers, stacking of books and interacting with young children continues to be something I enjoy doing.  This is my 30th year of teaching and could be my last.  One thing I do know is that teaching seems more like a calling than an endeavor.  I just can’t imagine doing anything else.  The pay is marginal, but every once in a while I admit, privately, to myself that I would do this work for free if I could.  At a time when so much debate surrounds our profession, I am sustaining my enthusiasm by educating myself about the issues and then making informed decisions that are best for my students, despite the political rhetoric that is so distracting.  I know that what I do in my classroom impacts students in a positive way because they reflect back to me that they are learning, growing and believing in themselves.  All the corporate posturing and heavy-handed top-down urgency will never trump the knowledge and experience that I bring to my classroom each day.  I adjusted my attitude before I set foot in my room so that I remember to go where each student is and begin there to forge a pathway to success.  We have been duped into thinking that education is all about textbook adoptions, fancy tools, adherence to uncompatible pedagogy and the overabundance of middle management involvement.  I teach people, not programs.  That very simplistic approach and vision takes care of all the nonsense interference that keeps infiltrating the sacred spaces of our schools.  Harken back to my original thought…to learn well requires the will of the teacher, the eagerness of the students, the support of the parents and the encouragement from administrators.  Give me enough paper, pencils, books, time, space, basic tools, interaction with humanity and access to knowledge and just watch innovation and thinking break out in droves. We have too long permitted the justification of upper positions in education by acknowledging their importance when all this time, we have taken our eyes off the prize…the student.  Those decision-making pundits, who are not educators but hold all the money, are furthest away from the clients…the students and their parents.  In the business world, that may appear successful, but in the people busines of teaching, it doesn’t fly.  Learning occurs in moments between the students and teachers.  Sometimes, learning takes place in spite of what we do.  In an unpredictable profession where success is as varied as the students themselves, we teachers better go into it with the right attitudes and expectations that they will have to work hard but that it isn’t hard work when you love it like I do.  One must really love children, respect parents and trust their professional intuitions in order to enjoy the work of teaching.  I count on this site to feed my need for encouragement and support.  Thanks for the opportunity to weigh in.

Thanks for the kind words, Mike.  Means a lot, and I’m sending u a manly virtual hug cuz you deserve it !  

Point on with — “thirst for knowledge and the ability and desire to help others develop through that knowledge and to touch their lives”What am I going to learn next… hmm… don’t know how to answer that one.  Next week I have my first presentation in front of a french audience.  I think I’ll learn how to keep my cool while presenting in a foreign language !  Now more and more impressed with all those speakers at TESOL france for whom English was a mother tongue !  Even when you master it, it still doesn’t feel as smooth as one’s first language.

Help people.

A recurrent theme, indeed.  And yes, there are lazy spoiled students… funny they’ve often been the most challenging ones of all in my classes.  Not only tough to encourage them to get involved, but tough to maintain patience when they don’t.

Alas… work with what we got.  Merci 4 sharing a bit of your story, Phil !

Thanks for stopping by, Barry.  Great to meet here and hear a bit more about your start in ELT. 

Again, enjoy this “evolution” of why we’ve become teachers.  Lucky you are indeed ! 

cheers, brad  

Wow, Sandy.  Thank you so much for sharing your story.  Fun to imagine you leading “school” with all the other kids in the neighborhood.

“ It isn’t hard work when you love it like I do ” … again, another theme that repeats itself within the comments.  

Please do feel free to weigh in anytime.  It’s one of the greatest rewards for me.  After I plant a seed or ask a question, I get to watch wonderful educators from all over the world come and take care of it (as I try to do as well on other blogs too).

Wishin you a wonderful 30th year and if it’s your last, I’m sure you’re soaking in the enjoyment.

Cheers, Brad

I became a teacher because a very good friend told me (quote),  ”your English is too good to keep making coffees for tourists” (I was working in a hotel in Austria as a receptionist/waitress at the time)… Well I too used to define myself as a language geek, love it still, mind you, but other things have somehow taken over too much of my time and the geek has turned into an amateur.

Teaching allowed me to travel, meet zillions of people and learn so much from them I feel I could easily ge to the finals stages of any game show, if I ever got the chance. I have had my “own” geologist, oncologist, psychologist, mechanical engineer, art collector, CFO, HR manager, Marketing manager, Product manager (underwear, chemicals, bikes, make up, rubber seals, fuels, you name it), some children too, countless hugs, small hands in mine and worried parents to report to, as well (ans got good at telling off, calming down, pacing lesosns, changing plans…).
I give them what I can, in terms of language skills, vocabulary, an ear, a shoulder to cry on (oh, yes), or other things I still do not know other people might need… They give me the same back, information, fun facts, comments on the current political situation in Italy (all parties, I know more about what Italian people think than the polls)… There’s a lot to give and a lot to learn… I sometimes feel a bit embarassed when I realise I am charging my students for something I really enjoy (most of the time, I admit not always), which is COMMUNICATING and SHARING… 
I am a bit worried I’llhave to give it all up soon, though… Too precarious, too voluble, I wish it was more stable, here where I live and come from, to be a TEFL teacher… Thanks for the nice thoughts your question sparked in me.

Tiziana

[...] November 2011Who did you become a teacher?Brad Patterson shares his motivations and invites others to list theirs.Share this post: Bookmark on Delicious Digg this post Recommend on Facebook Google Buzz-up this [...]

What a super post!

Why did I become a teacher? It was … an accident! A nice one, actually!

As long as I remember myself, I always wanted to be a lawyer. I watched Law and Order and pretended to be in court: “Objection, your honour!”, “My client…”and stuff like that. I used to do that in front of the mirror or …on our balcony! Lol! So when the time came to do my university entrance exams, we had to make a list of schools we wanted in order of priority. Guess what was my number one choice? Yep! Law school. Second choice? ELT! I did really well in my exams but I missed law school for a fraction of a percentage. My whole world collapsed. I grudgingly went to my second choice school and I even had a long face in the first photos we took for our welcome party at university!

But then, as we started our courses and material, and we got into the world of Harmer and Wilson and Greenall – wham kablam!!!! I fell in love, head over heels, point of no return with teaching and education. I absolutely loved my school and courses and professors and enjoyed every moment of it.

I really believe in what my dad says that everything happens for a reason. Every morning that I wake up I feel so thankful to be in teaching and Monday is the best day! Of course, as humans, we can have our days (or weeks – as this past one was! Ha ha!), but it is great to be in a profession you love.

Thanks for that Brad!

Hugs,
Vicky

I can’t remember exactly why I got into teaching. I’m sure it was some combination of feeling stifled by my office job at the time, wanting to break away from the career in law I was reluctantly embarking on, and wanting to really live in and experience life in cultures far removed from what I was used to.

I actually had quite a bad time at school and really hated it – in fact, I swore to myself that I’d never become a school teacher, largely because I felt the values the school represented, and which it tried to instill in us pupils through its teaching staff, had a sinister edge: things like obedience, respecting authority and, to some extent, being patriotically British – they sound fairly banal, but seemed to promote a kind of narrow, conservative thinking and hostility towards radical ideas and differences from the norm.

I think I decided it would be OK if I taught adults, and of course ended up teaching teenagers and children as well, as well as discovering that you could teach and promote critical thinking and independence of mind at the same time. I still feel sad when people’s attitudes seem to unthinkingly reflect the values they happen to have been brought up with, and I still can’t think of much more important in teaching than encouraging students to think for themselves. It helps them learn across the board, too!

I’d definitely like to do more voluntary work – in a sense, my website – and perhaps most or all teachers’ blogs and sites – are a version of this.

All best wishes and thanks for the interesting post (and apologies for my slightly indulgent reply!)

Simon

I also thought teaching was my last chance to make something of my life. I’d worked in the hospitality industry for 11 years and was looking for change. I’ve always been interested in teaching and I love language so I thought I would give it a go. One of the most rewarding things about working in the last restaurant I worked in was seeing customers walk out the door with smiles on their faces, knowing that they had had a wonderful experience that would stay with them for life and being a part of that was what made the job feel worthwhile. Seeing students leave a classroom with smiles has the same effect on me and I feel lucky to be paid to do this. I hope I make an impact on their lives as they make a big impact on mine. 

Vicky, the lawyer… somehow that doesn’t seem too surprising !  And I love the image of you barking into the mirror “OBJECTION !” as a little girl…  LOL 

I think I did the same faking speaking another language, or when I started to learn one, I started practicing in front of the mirror.

Interesting, this relationship with the mirror… I think we permit ourselves a bit more flexibility with it as a child/teenager.  I’d have a hard time doing it now.

Nice to see how a rejection can put us on a path that we might even end up enjoying more !  Big hugs from Parreeeeee.   -b

Simon, please indulge more often !  It’s a pleasure to catch more than 140 words about you and the others who have responded here.  Glad you took the time !  I think it’s interesting that Vicky’s comment just above you was about not becoming a lawyer… and then yours is the same.  Possibly some interesting research there

Big fan of your website.  Tons of great tips for teachers.   

Thanks again for stopping by.   Cheers, Brad

Hi Tiziana-

Loved the story you started off with… isn’t it wild how a moment of a conversation can change our lives.  You should write a book on the folks you met while teaching !  I can relate to how we do so much more than ‘just’ teaching.  I’m curious, though.  You said the situation is a bit unstable.  Is that in Italy ?  

Keep up with the language geek discoveries… so much fun   Cheers, Brad

Student smiles are magical, aren’t they !

I think the only other facial expression I enjoy more is when you can see that “light” go on and know they’ve realized something or are really looking at an issue from another angle.

We are very lucky to do what we do, and to enjoy it… because not all teachers do.  Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing, Josie.     Cheers, Brad

Thanks for the kind words, Brad! I’m enjoying this latest (?) blog of yours as well.

It’s odd that Vicky and I both wrote from the perspective of almost becoming lawyers – though I think she was rather more enthusiastic about that prospect than I was

I wonder if she’d also make a good philosopher (I reckon so!); that’s certainly the position I came from, and I think there’s a big link between philosophy and teaching (sadly, also between theology and teaching, though that’s another post…)

All best wishes for a good weekend!

Simon

Hi Brad, 

My journey to teaching starts with me being a demotivated teenager, totally out of love with education and life in general, but knowing I had a love of languages, if nothing else. 

However, after some years of serious illness, my world view had changed, so I turned down an unconditional offer to study German and Portuguese at university. Instead, I wanted to work in the arts as an event manager in order to help all of my incredibly talented creative friends to get the attention they deserved. So, once I was healthy enough, I went to university and studied Art and Event Management. After a year, I realised that I had made a mistake. I needed to use my brain in a different way to that which event management requires. I finished the degree, but didn’t really do very well. Unsurprisingly. 

When I was at Uni, I lived with a girl who had the Celta and was doing bits of teaching in one of the many language schools nearby. I remember her coming in to the living room one evening before heading off to teach and telling me she was going to be doing comparatives and superlatives. I was jealous. I wanted to do that too!! A plan began to brew. 

We had about 5 weeks between finishing all the work for our degree and the graduation day. So, I decided to fit in the Celta, meaning my last day of Celta was my graduation day. 

Alongside this need to be back in a more academic world, I also did the Celta in order to make this journey on my bike to China/Vietnam that I told you about before and have something to do once I got there. 

I absolutely LOVED my Celta. It was amazing. I couldn’t believe how much fun it was working with people to help them do something they needed for their lives, whilst also being able to play around with language again, and learning about all these people that came from all over the world with their different lives and stories and interests and needs. 

I’d found it. After some years of blindly writhing around not knowing where or who I was, I found something I was good at, that I enjoyed and that gave other people something too. 

I’ve never looked back. It actually makes me quite emotional to think about how much becoming a teacher has given me. The people I have met, either as students or colleagues; the things I have learnt; the challenges I have faced and overcome; this profession is all-consuming, and I am happy to let it gobble me up. 

It is my life. Not just my job. 

Wonderful, Jemma.  Merci 4 the share !

Again, we find this common theme of being on  path that didn’t feel right and then finding one that truly fulfills us.  Lucky we are to enjoy what we do, and lucky we are to have that chance and to have continued on our search w/o settling.

Hope to enjoy a cycling adventure sometime soon !    Best from Pareeee.   -b

well, my friends started to say that I had an ability to ready things and I should look at that, then I did some voluntary work as a classroom assistant in a primary a School and the teacher at school said the same…but I didn’t want to listen! Anyway after university I sat in on some maths lessons in a secondary school and realised that I wanted to teach…but not that. So I looked at TEFL, I decided to give it a go and try it. I loved it and have been hooked since! 

Hi Brad, 

Italy sounds lovely, and it IS lovely, we get good, healthy food, friendly people, art, social life… But when it comes to work… To cut a long story short, most TEFL teachers here work on “project” contracts, a way for shcools to save on tax and be able to get rid of us whenever they find someone cheaper or there’s no work. 

The alternative is to open your own “partita IVA”, become self employed. It may sound ok, but if you work on a project contract your employers save on pension, and when you lose your job you are not entitled to benefits of any kind. 

It’s hard, if not impossible, to get a loan, a mortgage or even buy a car with installments. If you are self employed, about 50% of what you invoice goes away in tax, but it is often the only way to lure employers into giving you work. There is no sick leave, no maternity leave, no holiday pay, no pension unless you pay for a private one (but it’s hard to save for that as tax is high)… 

If you are experienced and try to charge more for that, you lose work. Most (not all, ok) schools just try to save, which is natural… I understand that, but it’s frustrating. 

Once upon a time you got either a permanent contract or a temporary one that had all the side benefits of a permanent one… Now I feel just exploited… When  I was home on “maternity leave” I could not work for 8 months, my daughter was born in March and the summer is usually a forced break for teachers here. I supplement my income with summer jobs in the UK, but with a small baby… I started doing that again 2 years ago, and leave my Susie here with my parents… Not easy, really…. 

Ok, I meant to write a short reply, but there are so many things to say about this!!!! Thanks for asking, Brad and thanks for your nice blog… I’ve been a reader for a few months now!

Have a nice weekend
Tiziana

Despite playing schools being one of my favourite games when I was young and really enjoying work experience in schools as a teenager, I fought against becoming a teacher because I didn’t want to do what my parents did. I studied Spanish and Art History at university, and was a language assistant in two Spanish secondary schools in Zaragoza during my year abroad. I still didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do when I graduated, and since I’d enjoyed my year abroad I decided to go back to Spain. Since I’d done it before I signed up for a language assistantship again, this time in Madrid. By the end of this year, I had to admit to myself that this was what I wanted to do. I really enjoyed working with people, the language fascinated me, and I wanted to get better at it! I got a job in a small language school here in Madrid, and haven’t looked back since!

Hi Brad, part of my post-TESOL France resolution was to respond to more challenges within the PLN. So, here goes.

It was about 10.30 in the morning, in the middle of an Italian lesson, that I decided I wanted to become a teacher. I had been watching the English sitcom ‘Teachers’ non-stop the week before with my flatmate and let’s say we’d become a little obsessed. I looked at the person sitting opposite me and though, “now he looks like he’s having fun”. I didn’t think about the deep reasons for it, it just felt right. 

I then felt like my life had direction, which it had been missing until then. I felt motivated and satisfied by my job. I guess there wasn’t much more too it than that. Much like Jemma, I loved CELTA, for more or less the same reasons: the atmosphere, the thrill of teaching, of helping. 

I haven’t quite figured out the reasons why I enjoy this so much; maybe it’s part of the journey. 

Dale

Wow, really love your thought Leandra about “leaving parts of who you are everywhere as well as take parts of people with  you”. This is so true, I know my students help me in so many way and you can always learn sth new from them, any generation!

Hey Tiiana

Don’t ever cut yourself short here.  I like the full story  I’ve lived in Italy before and I agree it’s a wonderful setting.  Never worked there, though and I’m sorry to hear it’s become a bit challenging as of late. 

I think TEFL teachers are still in high demand internationally, so hopefully in the long run if it doesn’t work out in Italy you can try an adventure elsewhere.  Maybe not the easiest, though with a family… hmm…

Thanks for being a reader.  That’s a wonderful gift.  Look forward to sharing more here, there and anywhere on the net !

Cheers, Brad

I’ve wanted to be a teacher since I was in the third grade. My plan was to be a first grade teacher because I wanted to teach children how to READ, and to read out loud to them. Now I don’t teach first grade but being a language teacher still lets me deal with the secrets of reading.
Good for you that you keep in touch with volunteering!

I’ve wanted to be a teacher since I was in the third grade. My plan was to be a first grade teacher because I wanted to teach children how to READ, and to read out loud to them. Now I don’t teach first grade but being a language teacher still lets me deal with the secrets of reading.
Good for you that you keep in touch with volunteering!

Love to hear many of us kind of stumbled into TEFL, and yet LOVE what we do.  Always nice to chat it up here, there or anywhere so thanks for stopping by and commenting, Chris.  Cheers, brad 

Love to hear many of us kind of stumbled into TEFL, and yet LOVE what we do.  Always nice to chat it up here, there or anywhere so thanks for stopping by and commenting, Chris.  Cheers, brad 

Languages, people, travelling… well, it hooked me too !  Lucky we are to enjoy what we do. Thanks for stopping by, Cat and look forward to the next chat !   Cheers, Brad

DALE !!!  Nice to hear a bit of your background.  Again, I’m always blown away by how some people have those “flashes” or moments that are so decisive.  I guess I’ve had a few too, but deciding to teach was more of small fire that slowly grew and grew.

I love asking the question “why” and yet, sometimes it’s nice to not ask it… feeling great, well then just feel great.  Really enjoying your work… well then enjoy it.  Not always necessary to know why… and yet it can be fun
Cheers, b

I love the diversity of answers here.

When I was in the 3rd grade, I wanted to be a professional football player (the american kind).  That dream didn’t really fall off until mid-way through high school. LOL !

I think going to France when I was seventeen started stearing me in a different direction.  Plus, I had broken almost 8 bones playing sports and it seems my body just wasn’t made for that kind of roughness !

Ha ha! Thank you so much Brad : )))) Law and Order was my favourite as I told you and I would watch the episodes so many times ; )

I like your story about learning foreign langueages in front of the mirror – I should try that with my German!

Big hugs from Zuuuuuuug!!!!
Vicky

Hi Simon!

Nice to know that we both liked law, but found another way in life, teaching! A nice coincidence ; )

Wow, a philosopher – thank you so much, a huge honour to be called that. I do share the same birthday as Wittgenstein ; ) but I wish I had his philosophical talents as well : ) I am a long way from that though, but I enjoy reading and re-reading his works.

My kindest regards and thanks,
Vicky

I didn’t want to become as a teacher when I studied. I loved Math (still love it) and wanted to share that with others, so it just happened. I taught about 15 years and loved that time in most days. To be honest, there were days with the teenagers which I could have skipped:)
Now I work as adminstrator and I’m often missing my students and their fresh ideas. Now the best working days are those when I have possibilty to discuss with teachers, visit schools etc. Why I chaged my job? One can never know what happens in life. Anyway, I think I couldn’t be as an administrator eithout any experience as a teacher.

Very interesting post and a topic that I have been thinking about a lot lately. I even got to listen to a colleague do a presentation on this topic at a staff meeting recently – you have given me more to ponder; I feel a blog entry on my  site might rise out of these influences – thanks again for posting this.

Oh as for volunteering as part of my educational practice it has existed for longer that I have taught. I have spent 22+ years in the volunteer fire service. I think that a desire to help people spills over from our avocation to our vocations – but that is just a personal notion. 

I look forward to continuing to follow this blog.

¡Hola Brad!

Simply loved your post because nice chilhood memories came to my mind. I think all children – especially very little ones -have a natural admiration towards their teacher(s). And if you ask most of them which profession they would like to have when they become adults, they would say a teacher among others such as policemen, firefighters … their HEROES:  People who help others!

When I was a child, I studied in a Catholic School and had some nuns as my teachers who taught us to share  by helping poor people so I used to collect food and clothes for them. That made me feel happy and one of my favourite games was to roleplay … Yes, I was the teacher/nun and my dolls were my students … I spent hours!!! It was just my ‘kids.’ and me I loved that world because I could help and communicate to others.

Why an EFL teacher? By that time as a primary and secondary student in Ecuador, there were a few opportunities to have a good English level – not because of me or teachers – but because of a ‘poor’ educational system.  Something unfair I thought. Then I simply wanted to change things and started a profession or better said ‘a calling’

I feel happy being a teacher because there is always something to change … to improve!

All the best,

Ana 

Teaching seemed to come quite naturally to me. I had never wanted to be anything in particular. Now I regret some of my decisions  taken at that miserable time, youth time, like giving up dancing or playing the piano.  Teachers at school, college and university (I studied Economics) not only discouraged me from learning but also persuaded me to loathe the job. That time I said ‘I would never teach’
But ‘never say never’. At first I loved the language. Thankfully, my mum was my English teacher. She is far more different from typical local teachers. Then, when the time to earn my own money came, it turned out that I knew (and know) nothing but English. There I was having my first one-to-one lesson. It was like first kiss, awkward, but weirdly nice. Then I had a couple of students, then a couple of small groups. Children loved me. I couldn’t and still can’t understand why.
As the result I reached the point of no return. I got involved in the job. But I lacked knowledge of teaching, so I was never satisfied with what I did. I took four courses for English teachers. That time I saw what teaching really was. It was like peering through a keyhole of a door that led from my tiny world into a great one. CELTA this year was the key into the world. It seemed much greater and I stepped in. Twitter was the first step I took from the threshold. There’s a whole world to explore and now I’m in love with teaching and with the language.
I don’t know why I became a teacher, but I know why I am a teacher. I feel my role in the classroom is to inspire students to  ’make something of their lives’.

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Hi Brad,

It is just great to read all the answers to your question. Apparently lots of us  played “school”, spoke fake languages (my fake French drove my brothers crazy ) and loved the English language.I think there is a deep need in most of us to “share”: share our knowledge, share our passion, and between the lines also our values. In that way you invite your students to go with you. They can be themselves, the right environment is created to learn, they trust you.Every year we have appraisal surveys in our college. Our students complete questionnaires about what they think of the course, the method, the workload etc etc. We always get the same answers: they like expertise, clarity, structure and above all a passionate teacher who believes in what they do. “I feel you really like your job” is the biggest compliment they can give me.The last few years  more and more of my (young adult) students turn to me for more personal issues. Life is more difficult for young people these days I think or maybe it’s just because I’m older. It makes me really happy if I can listen to them and in small ways help them.So for the last 30 years, I have seen methods come and go, I have seen heads of department mess up  but when things are difficult I always tell myself: it’s the students that count, it starts and ends with them. It makes me proud to help them, however modest my contribution is, on their way in life.I’d always prefer that to helping a company make more money. It’s wonderful that there are lots of people who do amazing things in companies but I thrive in the more gentle environment of education, where people count more than figures.If there is one thing that I have really regretted to see lately is that a lot of views/practices that come straight from the world of commercial companies have been adopted in schools.A school is not a company. It’s not only about efficiency and hard results. Thank you for asking the question, Brad. After a particular difficult week it feels good to reflect and realize how fortunate and privileged we are in our profession.Those of you who want to know how it all started for me, can read that in a post I wrote some weeks ago for Vicky Loras.  http://mkofab.posterous.com/whats-your-story
Amicalement vôtre (not fake )Mieke
 

Hi Kaisa-

Thanks for sharing your story.  Interesting how the love of a sujbect, math, brought you to be a teacher, more than teaching itself.  We all come this way by so many different paths.  

Cheers, Brad

Hi Dan-

Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.  I saw that your last post was actually in a similar direction… great minds think alike ?  ;-)

Volunteer fire service.  Now that’s a whole nutha level of volunteering.  I truly respect that.  Cheers, Brad

Hey Ana-

I love the “always learning” part of being a teacher too.  Fun to hear the stories about you and the dolls.  I wonder how many teachers did that instead of “tea time” or other make-believe games of that nature.

Always a pleasure to hear from you, Ana.  Merci 4 stopping by !

“I don’t know why I became a teacher, but I know why I am a teacher” 

Love it !  I think many of us can identify with the not knowing what we wanted to do and wandering down a number of paths to finally find it.  Thanks for stopping by, Alexandra.  Nice to have crossed paths on twitter and to be sharing here and there.

Cheers, Brad

Hey Mieke-

Thanks for the warm words of wisdom.  It must feel good when a student chooses to confide in you.  Thoroughly enjoyed your story for Vicky’s challenge and encourage others to check out the 20 some great stories inspired by our sis in switzerland !

I agree.  I think teachers are a profession of “sharers”.  We are lucky indeed to enjoy what we do !

Always a pleasure to bounce words around with you, Mieke.    merci !   -b

Yes, I know exactly what you mean. Don’t you mean “not” a mother tongue? … not that you weren’t impressed with all speakers, regardless of their mother tongue. Good luck with your presentation next week!

I became a teacher to honor those who taught me.  I have always believed that teachers are immortal through the principles and emotions they instill in us.  They may physically leave us when they pass away, but pieces of their souls live on in each of their students.  What better way to live forever than to teach.

I became a teacher to get those breakthrough moments after weeks of hard work.  At Rutgers my freshman year, I volunteered to help with a Saturday gym class for autistic kids.  Week after week, I showed up and played with the same little girl.  One day, I kicked a ball to her, and she looked intensely into my eyes long enough that it made other adults stop and take notice.  That was it, one look, and I was hooked.  Now I teach Learning Disabled 5th and 6th graders to read and write.  The proud smiles and the occasional accidental “Mom?” I get make it all worth while.

Aside from sideways dreams of being an author, graphic designer and pop star, there’s never been anything I wanted to be more than a teacher, ever since I first started school.  The route I took to becoming one was not the traditional one, but then for a long time I didn’t teach in where those traditional routes take.  There was no one in particular that influenced me with this desire, but I did always identify with my Gramma, who said she’d wanted to be a teacher herself.

I became a teacher because it chose me. No, really! It chose me! I wanted to be a journalist but I was too young to take up my study so I just decided, “Well, I like kids, so what the heck?” and headed off to train as a teacher! 
23 years of exhilaration, joy, laughter, challenge, thrills, spills, and much, much, more, I have never been more convinced that I am where I was always meant to be, doing what I was always meant to do. I teach writing and even get to write every day, just as I always dreamed I would. But more than that, every day a child impacts on my life in an amazing way and I experience the real treasure of being a part of their lifelong learning journey. Why did I become a teacher? Because teaching chose ME!

indeed… not a mother tongue !  Merci for the luck.  Should come in handy

I clicked “like” on this about a hundred times so it would equal “love”.  I too believe in the continuity of principles, culture and emotions.  Endless and always changing.  Ah… life

One look, one moment and hooked.  Great story.  Appreciation and sharing… goes a long way for both teachers and students.  Thanks for stopping by and leaving your thoughts, Janet !

Rewarding it is, and I think it attracts a certain kind of person— who enjoys its profession-specific rewards.  Loved your story for Vicky’s challenge.  Always a pleasure to chat here, there and everywhere, Paco !   Thanks, b

Funny how there’s probably a fair amount of author, graphic designer and pop star in the teacher you are today.  It’s a normal thought but also a bit limiting to say “I’m a teacher” which seemingly excludes a number of skills and diversity that each teacher brings to the table.  Fun to hear how your Gramma had an impact on you.  My uncle with whom I spent very little time growing up but whose ‘biography’ inspired me, has always been a big part of my adventure-driven lifestyle choices.  

Nice !  I do think there’s a bit of that dynamic— we are naturally drawn to certain professions, people and while it seems like we’re choosing them, they’re choosing us in a way too.

Thanks for stopping by, Kimberley !   Cheers, brad

Yes, I’m sure we all bring our other aspirations into our teaching!  And who’s your uncle?

[...] week I asked the question, “why did you become a teacher” and received responses from over 30 teachers from all over the world.  A refreshing theme [...]

http://www.jaymarkjohnson.com/bio/

As a I posted some weeks ago in my blog, Brad, ones find contentment in living a simple live in company with their family; their special one; their pets. Others are too much busy to have a look at their lives and notice their paths have come to a dead-end and don’t know or care about it. Last and probably least are those like me, who encounter the thrill of life in the mere experience of parting with ordinary lifestyles and, in spite of being surrounded by people who love me, and most likely care about me, I find myself in a state of seclusion.That’s when teaching comes into play. This is the very moment when I agree with a description that describes almost perfectly the rationale behind my passion for teaching, for ELT: ‘Teaching: sharing knowledge, making others’ lives easier is a privilege, an act of generosity, a challenge that changes us and promotes our own self-development.’  – Beatríz Escalante.

Hi Jorge-

The paths to happiness are many, as you’ve said yourself, and even our personal path changes over time.  I remember periods of ‘seculsion’ which I thoroughly enjoyed.  These days I’m very happy living with my girlfriend, though I’m half-the-world-away from my family.

Being a teacher is indeed a very rewarding experience and I’ve heard so many people say it again and again: teaching has not only become my profession but my passion.

Always glad to hear from you.  Best from Paris, Brad

Hi Brad, 

My confession is that I became a teacher for all the wrong reasons. 

I really only wanted to be another Annie Lennox, deep down, and was on my way to getting a career in singing when I realized I wasn’t enjoying performing as much as I thought I was going to – eventually, I finally realized that really, really, really, what I should have really pursued more seriously was a career as a songwriter – but that is another story altogether. 

Being a musician gave me the gift of a good ear for languages – like others I followed the suggestion which more or less went “Your English is too good not to be a teacher” 

I stayed on the job being an uninspired (and pretty bad) teacher for a whole year rethinking the whole thing. Did I really like it then? My recollections are mixed. I remember how confused I was about preparing for lessons (this gives me a lot of sympathy for new teachers and trainees these days) until an enlightened employer pushed me in the direction of my first TEFL course, which landed me a great teaching post and then, … it was then that I started enjoying teaching. 

I stayed on the job for love and not for money. 

Which continues to be the case today. 

I do understand what you are saying about giving back to the community. I do offer a lot of my free time to the ELT community and maintain two free classes for people who are unemployed, refugees, or simply can’t afford to pay for their English lessons. 

I still dream of being a songwriter. One day a great artist will accidentally hear one of my songs and …. what a childish dream, isn’t it? 

Love all the stories I read here 

Marisa 

Hey Marisa-

Great to hear a bit more of your story. Not surprised at all that there were “Annie Lennox” days behind you as I’ve seen you bound out melodies at karaoke and talent nights the past year !

It’s always refreshing to hear those who have really succeeded in an industry reveal how challenging it was for them at one time.  I too can remember those tough lesson-planning days too, and soon enough we get into a rhythm and it all becomes much easier… and then we get bored and have to go and change it all.  ;-)

I’ve heard of your school’s programs for refugees among others and I tip my hat to you, Marisa.  I’ve had a number of friends tell me about what you’re doing, and not only at your school, but I’ve seen it on ELTchat and aPLaNet.  I hope all those good actions keep coming back to reward you as I’m sure they must.  

Merci 4 the share and see you around !    -b

I became a teacher because I fell in love with my Grade 5 History teacher. I also fell in love with history. I thought it was a magical thing to love something and share your love with others.  

I love stories and I realised that there is much more freedom in telling stories in the English class than in the history class, I quickly decided to start teaching English.  The I realised that the story I was looking for was not the subject I teach but the students I work with. I just love the feeling of getting closer to understanding myself by trying to understand what’s going on in the classroom. 

I have been teaching on and off for the last 20 years and even when I am not actually in the classroom, I look at my day-to-day activities as teachable moments. I collect these teachable moments and when I find myself in the classroom again, they become part of the story of teaching and learning. And of course I also believe that you are a teacher whether you work at a school or not. Your interactions, the way you treat people, the way you react to situations, the way you experience and reflect on what you have done that day are all opportunities of you being a teacher, the person who strives to help others make the most of themselves.This is why I think I have become a teacher.

2nd wonderful comment from you today.  Thank you Tamas !

My dear friend Cecilia Lemos shares this quote at the end of all her emails:

“A teacher sees the world in a par­tic­u­lar way, and it is not only when he is in a school. I am a teacher all the time.” -Christopher Rogers

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WOW This is brilliant Brad! Thank you for sharing a little more about who you are. That’s influence – and it does cause impact, and I DO think you share your values with your students. Share is the key word, I feel.  As opposed to hammer or force feed. (I’ve experienced that…and it sucks.) You rock! 

[...] that I was making a positive local impact for our global tomorrow.  The 70+ comments on “Why did you become a teacher” showed me I certainly wasn’t alone in this way of [...]