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What is teaching like today? Who should do it? And who shouldn't? This Education World series features essays on teaching by teachers as they answer the question, "If you had it to do all over again, would you still become a teacher?"

If I had it to do all over again, I'd most definitely still become a teacher. Being a teacher has helped me personally to be more patient, kind, considerate, and understanding. Being a teacher has fostered my ability to learn and grow, to embrace lifelong learning, and to keep current with the many changes taking place in curriculum, education, and technology.

It is important to enter teaching for the right reasons. If you are becoming a teacher to have June, July, and August off, think again. Most summers are filled with courses, in-service training, writing curriculum, and more.

If you are becoming a teacher because you love learning and helping others learn, because you want to make a difference in the lives of youth, because you're willing to work hard and against many odds to help students learn; then teaching probably is for you.

Teaching isn't always fun. If you just want to do the fun things, then volunteer, be a coach, or work at the Y. Teaching is doing the hard things, as well as the fun things. But seeing the joy on the face of a child who has succeeded at something he struggled to accomplish is a huge reward.

If you crave constant recognition and thank you's, don't bother becoming a teacher. Sometimes you never hear that thank you, but know you have done a great job anyway. You might teach for 30 years and never get much recognition, but you will know in your heart that your work has mattered, and that because of you, many children will have a bright future.

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