Why you want to teach is a personal decision and may have involved many months of thought or come to you in an instant. Some know early on that teaching is what they want to do. Others go through college and then realize this. Some even graduate and follow a different path before entering the classroom. No matter how one becomes a teacher, teaching is a profession, not just a job. Not everyone can be a teacher. You have to have the personal drive, motivation, skill set, patience level, and ability to motivate others. Many of the benefits of being a teacher are intangible. Teachers do not make the type of salaries that corporate lawyers or consultants make, but they can earn a good living. Teaching allows one to be creative, to incorporate new ideas, to be an expert in your subject matter. Teaching is interesting and challenging. Teaching provides variety and flexibility. Teaching provides one the chance to mentor students in areas outside the scope of a classroom whether through coaching a sport or sponsoring a club. Mostly, teachers have the chance each day to make a lasting impression on someone else. Teachers have the opportunity to be strong, positive influences on 100s of students over the course of a career. Not many professions provide that.