Why teaching? This is the question I have been asked on numerous occasions throughout the past year. The answer? Honestly, I am unsure of it.

This time last year I was preparing to pursue a career in journalism, yet when it came to doing my work experience, something didn’t quite ‘click’. I have never had a ‘dream career’ by definition. From year to year I would discover something else I would want to study. astronaut to English teacher, too many things piqued my interest to come to my sixth year and have to choose one.

Yet, when it came down to making the decision, part of me always knew I would study teaching. After working within a classroom for just under a year, it became obvious that education was the correct direction for me.

From working with classes ranging from Primary 1 through to Primary 4, seeing the different stages of development was something that fascinated me. Having the oppurtunity to see a person grow, not only with age but with ability, was something I loved being exposed to. Seeing a child learn is one of the most rewarding experiences I believe a person can be apart of, whether it be learning their alphabet or completing algebra, the motivation a person receives through visible development is extensive.

I definitely feel as though I made the correct choice in studying education. Whether the answer to the question “why teaching?” is because I wish to see children develop or whether it is to be employed in a working environment which differs depending on the day. Why teaching? Because at the end of the day, it’s what I want to do.