As in all the helping professions, the finest educators feel a calling to their work. Certainly, no one ever would do it for the money. The best teachers feel called to teaching and their consciences drive them to teach with all their hearts, minds, and spirits.
Teaching provides a special joy other educators seldom share. Teaching adults, educators frequently meet students terrified of teachers, books, desks, and classrooms; they frequently look into eyes filled with doubt and dread. Teaching adults, educators recognize they first must bring reassurance, comfort, and encouragement to their reluctant adult learners. Like all educational specialties, teaching adults requires patience, persistence, and insight; however, it especially requires respect for adult students’ dignity. Teaching adults, the finest educators feel overwhelming joy and satisfaction as confidence replaces terror and excitement replaces anxiety in students’ eyes.
