So You Think You Want to Be a Teacher? 10 Questions to Ask Yourself First

Teaching is not a fallback career. It’s not a day job or a temporary stepping stone. It’s a calling, one that demands heart, self-awareness, adaptability, and an unshakable belief in the potential of others.

If you’re considering entering the field of K–12 education, take a moment for honest reflection. These ten questions aren’t about credentials or content knowledge. They’re about who you are, what you value, and how you build relationships. Because at its core, teaching is a human endeavor.

1. Do I truly enjoy being in the presence of children and adolescents, and not just on their best days?

Kids will test boundaries, stretch your patience, and surprise you at every turn. If you don’t genuinely enjoy their company (chaos, curiosity, contradictions, and all), this profession will wear you down.

2. Can I see the humanity in every student, especially when it’s hidden behind behavior, fear, or silence?

Teaching requires more than delivering lessons. It means seeing your students as full people, even when they’re struggling to show up as their best selves.

3. Am I prepared to build authentic, respectful relationships with colleagues, leaders, families, and students?

Education is relational. You can’t do it alone. Strong teaching happens when we invest in the people around us—with empathy, trust, and open communication.

4. Do I believe in the capacity for change, in students, systems, and myself?

You’ll see injustice. You’ll face barriers. But if you walk into the classroom each day believing change is possible, you become part of the force that makes it real.

5. Can I remain reflective and open, even when the feedback stings or the day feels like a failure?

Great teachers are not perfect. They are learners. Being willing to examine your practice, own your mistakes, and grow is more valuable than any degree or certification.

6. Do I value collaboration more than control?

Whether it's co-planning with colleagues, navigating district mandates, or partnering with parents, teaching is a team effort. Being open to others' ideas (and letting go of ego) creates better outcomes for kids.

7. Can I maintain compassion when I feel exhausted, under-resourced, or misunderstood?

You won’t always be thanked. You won’t always be seen. But if you can lead with compassion, even then, you’ll sustain the kind of presence your students need.

8. Do I see families as partners in the learning process, even if they show up in ways that differ from my expectations?

Family engagement isn’t about compliance or attendance. It’s about connection. Each family brings strengths. Our job is to honor and build from them.

9. Can I embrace the daily realities of school life without losing sight of the bigger purpose?

You’ll chase down permission slips, clean up spills, and repeat instructions more times than you can count. But beneath it all, you’re helping to shape lives. That matters.

10. Do I understand that teaching is not about being the expert, but about being a guide, a listener, and a steady presence?

It’s not your job to have all the answers. It’s your job to walk alongside young people as they begin asking the questions that will shape who they become.

Final Reflection

Teaching isn’t for everyone. It’s sacred work disguised as routine. If you read these questions and felt a quiet yes echo inside you, maybe this path is yours to walk. And if some questions unsettled you, that’s good, too. Reflection is the first step toward becoming the kind of educator young people deserve.

Educating is not about having all the answers; it's about being a lifelong learner. The best teachers are constantly evolving, growing alongside their students. They listen, reflect, and adapt, not just for curriculum but also for connection. The future of education doesn’t just need trained professionals. It needs grounded, thoughtful, relationship-driven humans who lead with purpose, humility, and heart.

Are you ready?