I Don't Teach

I don't teach because I like waking up early.
Or because I like giving out homework.
I don't teach because elementary schools are such a great social scene.
And I don't teach for the money. (Shocking, I know.)
Or the health insurance.
I don't teach because I enjoy getting paid for 8 hour days when I work 12...or 15 hour days.
And I don't teach because I like dressing up and feeling fancy every day.

I teach because of this:

I teach because when I come back to school the next morning after having a stressful day, one student hands me the cutest stinking homemade bookmark I've ever seen, covered with contact paper to protect it from the elements, and finished off with some heart-patterned ribbon. And another student hands me a handwritten note that says, "Dear Miss Wilke, got your art, gym, music, lunch shoes on? Your the best 5 grade teacher, got your dress on?" He told me I was either going to laugh or cry when I read it. And at that point in my day, I could have gone either way. But I'm glad I was swayed towards the laughing. Because already five minutes into the morning, there was no possible way I could have a bad day.

THIS IS WHY I TEACH.

Today, I am a teacher.