Ouch! That Stereotype Hurts

All my life, my mom told me I was going to be a teacher when I grew up. But I didn't believe her.

In fact, I did everything in my power to prove her wrong. By the time college came around I had settled on a genetics major -- about as far away from an elementary school classroom as I could get. And right away I knew it wasn't the right fit for me. It wasn't until the end of my freshman year that I was ready to admit my mom had been right all along. My real passion was working with kids -- building relationships with them and watching them grow -- so, I switched my major to elementary education and I haven't once looked back. I really love what I'm doing now and even though I'm only one year in, I've learned so many things. After just one year I can confidently say that being an educator (in any capacity) is one of the most important, most influential jobs out there. Yet, at the same time, it's one of the most disrespected.

When I first tell people I switched my major from genetics to elementary education, I usually get a response similar to this one: "So, you're learning basic addition and subtraction now? I bet that's so much easier for you!" Trust me. It happens all the time -- and I understand that responses like these aren't always intentional. Oftentimes, it's a mindset we don't even realize we have (I would know because I used to have the same mindset). But, while it might not be intentional, it does have its implications. First, it is downplaying both the significance and the difficulty of the education major. Second, it is reinforcing the stereotype that those who choose the education field do so because they aren't capable of succeeding in other fields. (To quote a book by Leslie Aguilar I was introduced to in one of my classes, "Ouch! That stereotype hurts.") Just because I am an elementary education major does not mean that I am not smart enough. 

Over the past 7 months, I have learned that the job description of an educator goes far beyond academic responsibilities. Here are just a few others I have discussed in my classes so far:

• Teachers have the capability of building a unique relationship with each of their students. Oftentimes, a child in elementary school will spend more time in the classroom with their teacher than at home with their parents. And even if things at home change, the classroom and their relationship with their teacher is one constant a child can rely on.
• Teachers possess empathy. Empathy allows you to put yourself in the shoes of your students, so they know that you're right there with them. After all, there could be a lot going on that you don't see on the surface...
• Teachers facilitate difficult conversations in the classroom. Conversations about racial differences, social inequality, and mental health will happen. How many times have you avoided these topics with children because you're uncomfortable discussing them? These conversations have to happen somewhere. And with these conversations, a teacher also has a responsibility to remove prejudices and advocate for representation in the classroom. This one is so important!

I could keep going, but I think we can agree that this is a career with an incredible amount of influence. So, why is this a career that lacks respect? Why are we so quick to give credit to somebody who says they're majoring in biochemical engineering and so reluctant to give the same amount of credit to an education major?

We all have different gifts and different passions and that should be something to celebrate. We cannot compare apples to oranges, or put one profession on a pedestal simply because it has a higher salary than another. The bottom line is this: we need both jobs so both jobs are of equal importance. There is a huge teacher shortage in America today. Just last year, there was an estimated shortage of over 112,000 teachers nationwide. This makes me wonder two things:

1. How many potential candidates are steering away from the profession because of society's predetermined biases -- just like I tried to do?

2. What would a world without teachers look like?

Think of the teacher that has had the biggest impact on your life and thank them. I can guarantee it would make their day a little better in the midst of all this chaos. After all, without them, there's a good chance you wouldn't be the person you are today.

My favorite teacher :)