Have you dreamed of being a teacher since you were a little kid, or did you only recently begin on this path? Were you inspired by a teacher you had, or did you notice gaps in the system that you hope to fill? How much time have you spent thinking about your “why” when it comes to becoming an educator?
Passion goes a long way in interviews: employers want to understand that you really care about the work at hand because those who care try. But passion is important far beyond landing a job. Being passionate about our work helps us to stay engaged, to solve problems, to persevere through the difficult times, and to remember even in the mundane that our work is important. Passion is contagious, and if you remember your most inspiring teachers, you’ll probably remember that they were passionate about what they were doing.
Identifying your “why” will help you identify schools/districts that are a fit for you, allow you to stand out in interviews, and give you drive to grow and succeed. This article from Handshake highlights Gen Z educators, sharing why they chose to pursue a teaching career. From representation in the classroom to helping students feel understood, this article highlights so many “why”s. Do any of these resonate with you, or is your “why” different?
