October 19, 2021

This is the second in a series of guest blogs by the 2021-22 Michigan Regional Teachers of the Year. Kacie Hook is an English language arts and drama teacher at Roscommon Middle School in Roscommon Area Public Schools.
 

Dear Future Educators,

Thank you for considering a career that many shy away from, for working toward bettering yourself and continuing your education so you can better the lives of countless children, schools and communities. Thank you for seeing value in a career that is challenging, rewarding and ever changing. This career path is not an easy one, but it is worth it. I want to share with you why. 
  
Teaching is an artform. It is a career with each day bringing new adventures. You will never get bored. You will learn and grow even more when in your own classroom than you will as education students.

Please know, we need you. We need more educators, innovators and people who care about children. We need teachers with fresh insight, new tools, techniques and ways to build rapport with kids. All while engaging them in academics. We need you – someone with a deep passion for learning and a need to share the love of learning with the future of this great state.

Future educators, please know that not every day is bright, shiny and filled with rainbows and butterflies. There will be times you feel like a failure, that you didn’t reach a student, or a lesson didn’t go as planned. Some days you will feel overwhelmed, in over your head and ready to give up.

However, in these moments come some of the greatest learning, reflection and insight that help make tomorrow better. The best thing about teaching is that each day is new. You get a fresh start to work hard and try again.

On top of that, you have a group of colleagues, of support, who have also failed. They have also had those bad days and understand your frustrations and stress better than those who went down different career paths. You will have partners in the trenches fighting with you to educate the generations of tomorrow. Lean on them and let them lean on you. Support each other, share successes and failures, and build those collaborative teams and relationships. This will ensure your future success in your field.

Finally, I want you to find ways, people, activities that fuel your passion. Find your why. This passion, your why, is what will keep you going in education.

There will be times when your flame dims. I challenge you to surround yourself with people who can add fuel to your fire. Find your teacher tribe, develop your why, find your niche, your craft, and hone in on it. Cultivate the good and let go of what you can’t control.

Education is hard, but it is the most rewarding thing you will ever do. We teachers need more people like you. Those who have the drive, this passion. We thank you for entering this profession, for accepting the challenge, and being a positive force in our students’ lives.