I Can Do This

I just watched Waiting for Superman, a documentary about the education system in the U.S. I cried quite a bit. Even as I'm writing this, my vision is blurred. Everyone should see this film, even if they aren't going into education. Most people will be parents one day, and this applies to parents, students, and teachers alike.

I'm so glad I was able to see this film because it reminded me why I'm becoming a teacher. I've been having some doubts about my career choice of late, largely due to the Education Foundations class I'm taking this semester. We've been talking about how the system is broken and one person can't change it. It's all been rather depressing. I know my professor is showing us the worst aspects of the education system to make a point, but it is nonetheless discouraging. I began to feel that it would be impossible for me to impact kids' lives. I started wondering if I should drop the education aspect of my major and work in a museum.

This film showed me why I have to be a teacher. It affirmed my belief that this is something God is calling me to do. It's not just something I'm passionate about, it's my everything. Teaching is how I'm going to make my mark on this world. And I don't need to make one to feel significant, I need to make one to be sure that I fulfilled a purpose. And my purpose is teaching. There is no longer any doubt in my mind. And I am grateful for that, because I've been having a lot of doubts about myself lately. But now I know...I have the strength of God behind me, so of course I have the strength to say "No" to the naysayers. I have the strength to fight for my students. I have the strength to change things.