BE GRATEFUL, WE MADE YOU!!!

I have more than a few times met people who look down on my teaching career because according to them,I should have opted for a better paying job. Apparently teaching is for old folks who only had the opportunity to choose between teaching and nursing back in the days, and because most of them can't stand the sight of a festering sore, they chose to 'break the chalk'.

Once, my fellow teacher friend and I went out for drinks with a group of friends that consisted of engineers and a doctor. Our outing went a little sour when a topic about careers raised its head in-between other topics that were touched as the evening faded into the night. The engineers brothers really made a huge issue about how they're earning 3 times what we're earning, told us how we can't afford to go out every weekend for a month, and how we are wasting our time by teaching when people are out there making money. I was pissed off. I felt insulted. No one ever asked why we got into teaching, but there they were, with their beers in their hands, telling us that we're wasting time. Wasting time!!!!

Then it struck me. We took our careers with different visions. I took mine because I had experienced the greatest positive impact of a teacher in my life, and when the opportunity presented itself, I wanted to do the same in someone's life. They on the other hand, had chosen their careers with a vision of earning big bucks and going out every weekend of the month in a year, provided they were not on duty. It is good to want to be loaded in your pockets all the time, but then, it is always the best feeling when your spirit is loaded with pride and satisfaction after making a difference in someone's life. People are different. We hold different values, personalities, our socialization took place in different places and we have different dreams and fears. It's okay. Totally. To be different I meant. Not to go around looking down on people and telling them what's good for them because you think they view the world with the same pair of eyes as you. THAT IS WRONG.

Being a teacher is one of the greatest and most challenging but fulfilling jobs one could ever imagine. We take care of the engineer's child when he's at work. We know the engineer's child's abilities better than their parent do. We are confidants to the engineer's child. We trim the unwanted branches on the tree that is the engineer's child so that it can grow, thrive well and be able to bear good fruits. Yes, you look down on us but we are the ones who teach your child that math and science so that he can become an engineer. Did I mention that you are an engineer because of a 'peanut earning' teacher who devoted their time to giving you extra lessons after school when you couldn't find x? Yes, you have every reason to be grateful.

Again, we are different. As an engineer, you'd rather work with things than people. I on the other hand, would rather work with people, than things. I'd rather make a difference in people's lives through educating and setting an example. I'd rather inspire, encourage and allow expression. In that way, a two-way learning street appears,I learn from my learners and they learn from me.(I doubt you experience something like this as often as I do while you're busy working with things). Your child learns more from me more than they learn from you, actually. So, stop looking down on me. Everyday to a teacher is a great memory, new challenges arise, problem solving skills get sharpened, there's growth on a personal level and beyond, and leadership skills are also polished. How's that for a huge payout? To some people, it isn't always about money, but passion and making a difference. Remember that next time you want to look down on me.

You should be grateful that we have devoted our time, and lives to spending time with your kids and grooming them both socially and academically when you're busy spending time with things. We know engineers are tired when they get home, and that doesn't do justice to the quality time they're supposed to spend with their families. So please, stop insulting and looking down on us. We can't all be engineers now can we? The world needs us. You need us. You wouldn't be where you are if it weren't for us. You actually wouldn't be able to go out every weekend if it weren't for us. You wouldnt even be able to insult us if it weren't for us. We helped groom your thinking abilities, but stop insulting us. You'd be even more dumber and narrow minded than you are today if it weren't for us. 

We define greatness. We are the village that raises a child. Success to us is making sure that you carry with you what we have taught you and use it to make something out of your life. Not to insult and look down on us.

#Allowmetosharethiswithyou... We are heroes.We deserve praise, encouragement and appreciation. If you don't give it to us, we demand it. Stop looking down on us. WE MADE YOU!!!

P.S Engineers in this post refers to anyone who thinks that they're better than teachers. You're narrow minded.