Why teach?

Shoe-tying. Tattling. Horse play. Getting young children to learn material. These are among the many inconveniences of teaching in an elementary school classroom. So despite all these things why do teachers continue to teach and more importantly why would one chose teaching as a profession? 

It is said by Savannah Berry of Healdsburg High School in an article for the Press Democrat that "Teachers may appear to be underpaid and overworked, but not every teacher shares this view. And, as everyone knows, when one truly loves his or her work, it is not work". So many teachers teach because they love the subject in which they teach. When asked why he loved teaching, teacher Mike Efran responded with the fact that no one can tell him how teach, he has the freedom to teach in his own way. http://teenlife.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/10969/e/

The next article I found is about good qualities to possess if you want to become an elementary school teachers. Among reasons one would become an elementary school teacher is having a broad appreciation of school subjects, you are very creative, you feel a call to serve others and you like kids (obviously). Those who want to have a positive impact on the lives of children should become elementary school teachers, as it incorporates many school subjects and involves loving children.http://www.worksheetlibrary.com/teachingtips/becomingelementary.html

Teachers can also be inspired by teachers they've had in the past. They may want to make a difference on the kids in their classroom like a past teacher inspired them. Giving back to the community is a huge reason for becoming a teacher according to another article I found. Teachers want to watch their students grow intellectually and really have an  positive impact on their lives.
http://www.teacherssupportnetwork.com/corporate/KnowledgeCenterArticle.do?id=5

I believe all the research on why teachers teach holds true. It is a selfless job. It is known that teachers do not get paid an overwhelming amount of money and it is difficult to teach and have all students grasp material. Someone who teachers does have to have specific qualities mentioned in the second article. A grumpy, miserable and lazy person cannot be an elementary school teacher. You have to love kids, be patient, be creative etc. You also have to want to inspire your students to succeed in life and give them the tools to be the best person they can be.