Teachers gave their takes on the best and worst parts of teaching. They also shared their inspiration behind becoming a teacher.

What is the best part of being a teacher?

●“The best part is the students, hands-down.” -Jennifer Esquivel, math teacher

●“The kids are one of the best parts.” – Lara Khmelevsky, Spanish teacher

●“The best parts are conversations that I have with students…” – Michaela Fraley, English teacher

●“The best part is getting to interact with kids…” – Micah Adams, social studies teacher

●“The best part of teaching is being around youth makes you more connected to feeling younger.” – Kelly Appleby, physical education teacher

What is the worst part of being a teacher?

●“The worst part is probably just feeling like you can never do as good of a job as you want to.” – Jennifer Esquivel, mathematics teacher

●“One of the worst parts, and the hardest parts is all of the non-teaching stuff and hoops we have to go through with the state and the administration.” – LaraKhmelevsky, Spanish teacher

●“The worst part is accepting that you can’t help everybody.” – Michaela Fraley, English teacher

●“I guess having to deal with disciplinary stuff, because I like kids.” – Micah Adams, social studies teacher

●“Being locked into hours” – Kelly Appleby, physical education teacher

What was your inspiration behind teaching?

●“I always wanted to help people, and I thought that’s one way that I can help, so I was either going to do something in the medical profession or something with teaching, and teaching just seemed like the most natural path.” – Jennifer Esquivel, math teacher

●“I went to spend my junior year abroad, and when I came back, I needed a summer job, and I took that job teaching English…and I really, really liked it.” -Lara Khmelevsky, Spanish teacher

●“I had really good English teachers growing up. I also love literature and writing.Eventually, I realized that I also really enjoy being with children.” – Michaela Fraley, English teacher

●“When I was a senior, I took AP Statistics and I was inspired by my statistics teacher who made a subject I didn’t really like, I wasn’t a huge math person, something that was really interesting and fun.” – Micah Adams, social studies teacher

●“Initially I got into the teaching profession to be a coach, and I thought that coaching would then lend itself to physical education.” – Kelly Appleby, physical education teacher