As I crawled out of bed yesterday morning (around 5:50 a.m.), Amy asked me, from the warm comfort under the covers, "How do you do it?"  "Do what?" I grumbled.  "Just hop out of bed every day like that."  I responded in my most crackly and weepy voice (which wasn't too difficult at that time of day), "Because, Amy...the children have to learn.  Someone needs to teach the children!"  I seem to remember that she chuckled (which was the desired effect) and rolled back over and pulled the blankets further over her head. 

I then began to think a little as I prepared for the day.  How do I get up every morning like that?  Then, other questions, like Why do I teach? popped up. 

Lots of people enter the field of education because they "love working with kids".  I've had people say things to me like, "the kids make everything 'worth it', don't they".  Um...I guess so...maybe...sometimes...when they're not being punks.  I'm not saying that I don't love working with kids, and that there aren't rewarding times when they are successful or brighten my day or other warm, fuzzy stuff like that, but I don't think that's why I teach. 

I remember reading an article in a teacher magazine (something like NEA Today, Teaching Music, etc.) a few years ago about male teachers.  It was largely demographic, but also dealt with motivating factors.  I don't remember any of the specific numbers, but here are some of the findings:  The vast majority of male teachers teach at the secondary level (middle and high school).  Here, I am an oddball: I teach in elementary schools.  Also, when asked why they teach, most men responded that it was from a deep interest in their subject.  I guess I would fall more into this camp than the "I love kids" group.  (At this point, I should note that NO ONE enters the teaching profession because of the money.)

My high school band director, Mr. Dale Orris, was extraordinarily influential in my choice of profession.  Described by some as a real-life Mr. Holland, Mr. Orris is an exceptionally talented trumpet player (he played with the Glenn Miller and Buddy Rich orchestras, among others, in the 1970s -- the quintessential Mr. Orris moment occurred on a jazz band adjudication trip.  After our performance, the clinician asked why we played a certain note the way we did.  Mr. Orris' response: "Because when I played with the Basie band, that's the way we did it.").  He was also a great teacher, with an engaging personality and a supportive manner with young musicians.

As I think more about it, though, I still can't pinpoint exactly why I do what I do.  There are too many factors.  Yes, I enjoy working with kids.  Yes, I have a profound interest in my subject.  Yes, I was inspired by my own teachers.  I think the answer is a combination of these things, plus a little more.  I think music is downright fun.  There's a part of us as humans that responds to music in a unique way.  There just seems to be something good in playing instruments and singing and listening and dancing.  Who knows.  I definitely don't do it for the money!