“Mom, Dad, I want to become a teacher!”
Gone are the days when children used to say this to their parents. Today’s generation would prefer to do almost any job except joining the education sector—not because it doesn’t offer attractive pay packages, but for reasons far deeper than that. Teachers were among the most respected individuals in society long ago. Sadly, the story is different today.
Children have forgotten to draw a line between themselves and their teachers. They often send friend requests to teachers on social media and post inappropriate comments on their posts. Some even go to the extent of harassing them. Teachers often experience discomfort when students look at them in a certain way.
Children also get away with mischief because they are aware that teachers cannot shout at them anymore. Today’s teachers do not bang dusters or throw chalk. They are strictly prohibited from giving any form of corporal punishment. Children sometimes take undue advantage of this and create a ruckus in classrooms.
Today’s teachers are expected to do much more than just teach. They are assigned random IT work, unnecessary paperwork, follow-up calls to parents regarding fees, and much more.
Teaching is the only profession that creates future doctors, engineers, scientists, astronauts, pilots, and countless other professionals. Teachers do not feel disheartened because they are paid less; they feel disheartened when they are unheard, unappreciated, silently blamed, and when their skills go unnoticed.
Here comes the role of organizations when they hire a teacher. A teacher is expected to multitask and be a jack of all trades. But what is her takeaway? Low salary, unwanted stress, long working hours even after school (constant WhatsApp messages), and self-doubt about why she even chose this profession.
Gender disparity is another concern when it comes to choosing teaching as a profession. Since our system often expects men to be the primary breadwinners, many prefer to stay away from this field. Women certainly play a dominant role here. Most leadership positions in schools are occupied by brilliant women. Although things are slowly changing, it will take time. If men choose to enter this space, they need to be educated first—starting at home. Men need to understand that teachers are not friends, that it is not acceptable to bully a teacher, and that teachers deserve dignity so they can light up classrooms and make schooling a truly holistic learning experience.
Teachers often ignore their own health and place students at the top of their priority list. Many refrain from taking leave because they fear their class will suffer or that they will face double the workload upon return. This rare quality is found predominantly in the teaching profession.
Challenges exist in every profession, but they come with rewards too—and teaching is no exception. Teachers receive unconditional love from their students. Every year on Teachers’ Day (5th September), children shower their love through handmade cards, gifts, flowers, and surprises. This is the day when teachers truly realize how deeply they are loved.
Teachers are also recognized for their dedication and quality work through accolades and awards across various platforms. Awards are now specially curated for the education industry, such as Best School, Best Principal, and Best Teacher. Apart from emotional fulfillment, there are lifestyle advantages as well. Teaching offers structured routines, predictable holidays, and vacations.
There are professional benefits too. Opportunities range from training and curriculum design to consulting and conducting workshops. Teaching keeps one intellectually active, as the educational landscape is constantly evolving and demands continuous upskilling. It is a lifelong journey that nurtures empathy, patience, resilience, and compassion.
With AI here to stay, teachers must adapt to new methodologies and technologies. However, no AI can replace a teacher—and that is their superpower. The COVID-19 pandemic made this abundantly clear. When children returned to school, many struggled with writing and discipline. Teachers worked tirelessly to bring them back on track. The pandemic showed the world how vital schools are—and more importantly, how irreplaceable the physical presence of a teacher is in a classroom.
Teachers are the queens of their classrooms. They have the freedom to innovate, dramatize, give real-life examples, and tell stories. No two days are the same, and with that comes immense creative satisfaction.
So, the answer to the question, “Does Gen Alpha want to become a teacher?” is yes. The education industry is in dire need of passionate, perseverant, persistent, and empathetic teachers. Of course, Gen Alpha will need to pull up their socks—because they will soon be dealing with Gen Beta next!
About the Author
Sonal Agrawal is an educationist, storyteller, and published author who blends real-world experiences with heartfelt imagination. Born and brought up in Kolkata, she has spent years shaping young minds as an early childhood educator, trainer, and academic leader. Her debut novel, The Grass Is Greener on My Side, reflects her flair for writing modern, light-hearted tales that resonate with today’s readers. Passionate about creativity and human emotions, Sonal draws inspiration from everyday life, the cities she has lived in, and the people she meets. Her work captures ambition, relationships, and the journey of discovering oneself with honesty and warmth.
