19

You know, it's kind of funny that the world tells you to follow your dreams and that it's best to have a career that you enjoy. It's funny because the whole idea is conditional. If one tells you to follow your dreams and then critiques and criticizes your choices, then I guess he or she is not really supporting you. The thing is, everyone these days is expected to become who they want to become, but then when the career path is chosen and it doesn't have a common white collar title next to it, it is looked down upon. The world should appraise those who can become who they want to be and become successful at it. I find this observation to be true for my major. I use to be in the mechanical engineering program. I thought it was boring. It wasn't me. Then I switched to TEE. When I did and people found out, when they asked me what I was going to do and I replied that I was going to be a wood shop teacher, they gave me the,"oh" answer. I realize that teachers don't make a ton of money, especially in Utah County, but it is an important job to have, if not one of the most important. Everyone has to go through school. Everyone has to learn. If there are not any good teachers, then how will we learn and by whom? I think test scores are dropping every year not because No Child Left Behind needs to be stronger, but because there just are not enough teachers with a passion to teach. I think teaching is an important and applicative job; sitting in a cubical for some random company doesn't amaze me. I think teachers should be moved up the social pedestal and get paid more for what they do; teachers go through a lot of schooling and don't get much of a reward financially. I think that my choice to teach people how to become well-rounded, learn about nature, and use their hands is a note worthy job. It is my dream.