Why I Teach...

I had always thought I would be a teacher. I can remember playing school when I was very young, teaching math and spelling to my stuffed animals and dolls. I had always seen myself as growing up to in front of a group of students.

But that’s not why I teach. I teach because I believe that the more we know, the more choices we have. It isn’t about learning how to multiply or what the capital of New Jersey is. It’s about understanding how the world works and what impact we each may have on it and one another. The power of knowledge and understanding doesn’t open doors but can build new doors that no one has even entered.

I teach because I know every child can learn. And it is my job to provide the environment in which students believe in themselves as learners. In my math class, I invite each and every student to participate, giving them access to the mathematics and ownership of their own success. Watching them rise to a challenge is reward enough.

I teach so the students can achieve their dreams, even if they don’t know what they are yet.

Why do you teach? Share your story. Post video, picture, or story on Twitter using the hashtag #whyiteach or email us a teach@aiesteam.org.