The Power of Purpose: Lessons from a Teacher’s Life Redirected

Teaching doesn’t start as a job, it starts as a whisper in your heart that says, “This is where you’re meant to be.”

I remember vividly the day I realized that a life without purpose is a life half-lived. My journey into education was not straightforward. I initially pursued accounting, thinking it was a stable and sensible path. Then I shifted toward nursing after a well-meaning psychologist told me I was too shy to teach. That comment stuck with me for years, influencing choices that never quite felt right. I tried to fit into careers that looked good on paper but left me feeling empty. The days blurred together, and I dreaded each morning knowing my work lacked meaning.

Eventually, I could no longer ignore the tug on my heart. I returned to college to study education, even though my parents had serious doubts. They worried about job security, low salaries, and my ability to command a classroom. But I knew in my soul that I needed to teach. It was not a decision based on logic or convenience; it was a response to a persistent calling. It was hard, yes, but it was the first time I felt aligned with the core of who I was meant to be.

Challenging Harmful Narratives About Teachers

One of the most damaging phrases I’ve ever heard is, “Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach.” That statement is not only false, it’s demoralizing. Teachers are not failed professionals. They are highly trained individuals with degrees, certifications, and ongoing development requirements. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, over 56% of public school teachers hold a master's degree or higher¹. That level of commitment is not something people pursue lightly. It reflects a profession that demands intellectual rigor, emotional intelligence, and a high level of discipline.

Teaching demands more than knowledge from a textbook. It requires the capacity to manage a classroom, personalize instruction, address social and emotional needs, and often serve as surrogate parents for children in crisis. The emotional labor involved is immense. Educators routinely work beyond contracted hours, spend personal funds on classroom supplies, and engage in professional development during their breaks². The idea that teachers are somehow less capable or competent than professionals in other fields ignores the reality of what this work entails.

The Difference Between a Job and a Calling

Not everyone who walks into a classroom is called to teach. Some are there because it's a job, not a mission. I see these individuals, and I feel for them. Teaching was never meant to be a fallback option. It is emotionally and mentally exhausting if you do not feel a connection to the work. Without passion, the classroom becomes a place of burnout and discontent. And unfortunately, students can sense that disconnect. They know when an adult is merely fulfilling