This morning, I asked my Twitter and blogging friends the simple question: Why do you teach?

While most of the responses came in via Twitter (limited to 140 characters), some also came in through the comments. What I found in my nonscientific cross sampling of technolgically literate teachers was interesting.

If you missed out on your chance this morning, feel free to add your own comments below! Without any further formalities, here were the responses:

@flourishingkids

I teach because I love cultivating the joy and efficacy of learning

@kaferico

I teach because is my vocation and passion. There is never a dull day. My goal is to make every day an A-HA! moment for my students.

@flotoonie

To use tech everyday in practical ways, 2 impart my knowledge & experience, the holidays, the rush of ‘the trenches’ and 4 the kids.

@siobhancurious

because I’ve racked my brains to find something else to do with my life that would be just as meaningful, and I’ve failed.

@methomas10

I love Spanish and I love kids and I love seeing people learn/succeed, put it together and teaching is my dream job.

@orisasson

for fun

@dharter

I teach because learning is the best gift we can offer another.

@monarchlibrary

I teach bec besides being a mother, its the only thing that comes naturally to me and I love making learning fun. Its a lifestyle.

@kdwashburn

Teaching is a front-row seat to observing and cheering individual growth. I teach because I love seeing people learn.

@ebessie

I teach because I like to learn something new every day…

@edteck

Why do I teach? Ans: To create learning experiences that provoke student reflection. #education

@JasonFlom

summer, winter and spring breaks, and, most importantly, the chance to meet, teach, learn from and laugh w/ 2morrow’s generation 2day

@misscalcul8

Take away helpless feeling. Improve lives. Impart knowledge. Re-direct. Encourage. Elevate. Motivate. Support. Discipline. Enjoy!

Now for a little bit of fun, I got some comments on the blog as well. I decided to run them through TweetShrink and see what came up. They still wouldn’t fit in 140 characters, but it got closer to the intended goal…

Drew:

I get 2 visit the world of middle schoolers everday. sum ppl think i’m crazy, but I get 2 study the world w/6th graders, wander the backroads of Texas w/7th graders, & watch the birth of a nation w/8th graders.

Linda:

Children. That is y I teach. They R the most amazing learning machines on the planet. The awe in their faces when U do something new is worth every second of teaching.

Ricardo Bueno

Personally, I think there’s something exhilarating abt watching sum1 grow & learn & somehow knowing that U wr a part of that building/learning process.

Carolynn Bruton

Yes,It’s all abt the kids. I started as a PE & English teacher abt 35 years ago. 4 the past 18 years ive specialised as a junior cmputr teacher. Recently we moved in2 the most beautiful cmputr lab. y? I luv technology & wnt 2 impart ths luv of learning through computers/technology 2 my kids. Also, I cn now teach all subjects & cn design my own curriculum w/in reason. I luv the excitement & tension w/in my classes & luv watching the little Grade 1’s grow through the grades in2 techno-savvy teens who advise their parents! I luv Web 2.0, wikis, blogs, twttr, integration w/ R library & sharing ideas w/ my wonderful staff.

Scott Shelhart

I spent my 1st 20 years in the work force doing wht I had 2 do. I’m going 2 spend my nxt 20 doing wht I luv 2 do…teach. I’m driven by passion, not $$.

Marcy Webb

Honestly, I cnt imagine life w/out a classroom full of students. Teaching is a part of my bein, & i’m gd at it, b/c ive worked hard 2 be gd at it. I enjoy having a direct impact on young ppl, & helping them 2 develop in2 ppl they cn be proud of.

To read their original full-length comments, go to the original question. To add your own comments, add below. Why do you teach?

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Joel Wagner

Joel Wagner (@sywtt) began teaching band in 2002. Though he had a lot of information, his classes were out of control. He found himself tired, frustrated, disrespected by students, lonely, and on the brink of quitting.

See also  On The Brink Of Quitting

He had had enough. He resigned from his school district right before spring break of his second year and made it his personal mission to learn to be a great teacher. So You Want To Teach? is the ongoing story of that quest for educational excellence.