<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-840603">Ryan Thompson</a> worked at a corporate job in California, but after he was laid off he decided to become a teacher. Although he took a pay cut, he says being a teacher allows him to spend time with his three kids. "It's an awesome family job," he said.
Teachers on why they teach —
Ryan Thompson worked at a corporate job in California, but after he was laid off he decided to become a teacher. Although he took a pay cut, he says being a teacher allows him to spend time with his three kids. "It's an awesome family job," he said.
Ryan Thompson
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-840480">Daniel Levi-Sanchez</a>, who has taught dance to students from kindergarten to high school, says helping others drives him to teach. He considers himself a facilitator, guiding students through their educational journey.
Teachers on why they teach —
Daniel Levi-Sanchez, who has taught dance to students from kindergarten to high school, says helping others drives him to teach. He considers himself a facilitator, guiding students through their educational journey.
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-839865">Mary Lynch</a> is an art teacher in Virginia. This is an art piece one of her students did after a lesson on Picasso. Lynch is not in a union, and she fears most people do not understand that nonunion teachers are lower on the pay scale than union teachers.
Teachers on why they teach —
Mary Lynch is an art teacher in Virginia. This is an art piece one of her students did after a lesson on Picasso. Lynch is not in a union, and she fears most people do not understand that nonunion teachers are lower on the pay scale than union teachers.
Mary Lynch
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-840180">Allie Griffin</a>, a special ed teacher, is participating in Chicago's teacher strike. Her mother, also an educator, inspired her to teach. Many of Griffin's students come from crime-ridden areas. "I have students who need to work on their social skills, and I do what I can, but it's really hard without more support," she said.
Teachers on why they teach —
Allie Griffin, a special ed teacher, is participating in Chicago's teacher strike. Her mother, also an educator, inspired her to teach. Many of Griffin's students come from crime-ridden areas. "I have students who need to work on their social skills, and I do what I can, but it's really hard without more support," she said.
Allie Griffin
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-840200">Renee Longshore</a> is a teacher in California. This is a photo of her four children. She says because of the low teacher pay she has become a budgeter. But she says the greatest frustration for her as a teacher is not feeling valued or appreciated.
Teachers on why they teach —
Renee Longshore is a teacher in California. This is a photo of her four children. She says because of the low teacher pay she has become a budgeter. But she says the greatest frustration for her as a teacher is not feeling valued or appreciated.
Renee Longshore