“The calling of the teacher…There is no craft more privileged. To awaken in another human being powers, dreams beyond one’s own; to induce in others a love for that which one loves; to make of one’s inward present their future—that is a threefold adventure like no other.”
— George Steiner

As I mentioned in the final line of the opening, you matter. This truth is not stated nearly enough—not just to you, but to every educator referenced throughout this special blog series. In a profession that often feels thankless and overwhelming, it is essential that we remind one another of our worth. We should always be working to build one another up rather than tearing each other down. Our words, our attitudes, and our actions matter deeply, because our children are always watching. They will practice what is modeled for them, not simply what is said to them. For that reason, it is imperative that we consistently model the values, behaviors, and character traits we hope to instill in our students.

I truly believe that becoming a teacher—or choosing to work within a school in any capacity—is not just a career choice, but a calling. It is something deeply rooted within us, an inner pull toward fulfilling a greater purpose. It takes a unique and selfless individual to accept the tremendous responsibility of shaping young lives. I caught the “teaching bug” during my junior and senior years at Seneca Valley High School in Germantown, Maryland. Two teachers in particular, Ms. Vance and Mrs. Sengbusch, brought an energy and passion to their classrooms that left a lasting impression on me. Their enthusiasm made learning feel alive and meaningful. We didn’t just study methods of teaching—we lived them. Once a week, preschoolers would spend the morning with us, giving us the opportunity to apply what we were learning in real time. That experience alone was transformative. It was authentic, purposeful, and powerful. It didn’t take long for me to realize that this was where I belonged.

Knowing that I could impact the future in this way was my first true “pay-it-forward” moment—one that continues to motivate me to this day. The opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students every single day was, and still is, incredibly rewarding. Teaching is not about perfection; it is about presence, persistence, and progress. It is about showing up, even on the difficult days, and believing that what you do matters—even when results are not immediately visible.

No matter what career path you choose, it is important to remember that your work should feel like a calling. You should wake up each morning with the belief that the day ahead holds opportunities to impact lives. When I served as an administrator, I often reminded teachers that we are given 180 instructional days each year—180 chances to change lives. Not every day will go according to plan, and that is okay. There will be lessons that fall flat, moments that frustrate you, and days that test your resolve. But one difficult day does not define your journey. Perfection is a myth; improvement is not.

However, if this work no longer feels like a calling—if the passion, purpose, and belief in impact are no longer present—then it is important to pause and reassess. Doing so is not a failure; it is an act of honesty and self-respect. You owe it to yourself, and most importantly to your students, to be fully present in whatever role you choose to pursue. Teaching is a profound responsibility, and when it is embraced as a calling, it becomes one of the most meaningful and transformative professions there is.