Passionate teachers

After reading about teacher shortages in Miami Dade County (“Wanted: More teachers to fill growing classroom shortages,” Sept. 11), it frustrates me to continue hearing veteran teachers telling passionate student interns to leave and find another field.

I often heard the same sentiments expressed as I went through my teacher education program. It is a disservice to our field and simply unprofessional.

Yes, interns should be well aware that teaching is a tough job requiring an endless supply of patience, passion, and grit.

However, please paint the whole picture, which includes all of the positive (still intact) aspects that makes teaching one of the most rewarding professions out there. There’s a reason you often hear teachers say to each other, “we’re not in this for the money!”

This story was originally published September 12, 2016 at 9:45 PM with the headline "Passionate teachers."