Why Teaching?

When I was growing up, I absolutely hated when people would asked "what do you want to do when you grow up?" and I would respond, "I want to be a teacher".. and they'd be like "awwww. just like your dad!" or "just like your mom" or "it must run in the family" and so on and so on. In the beginning, since my school was a K-12, I would volunteer after school while I waited for my mom (since she was the Dean of Students at my school and we'd be at school at least until 5:30 everyday) at the elementary after school care program. That evolved into me working for the summer sports program at my school and I worked there for two summers before becoming an instructor.
Then when I was working as an instructor, I was teaching the kids to play baseball and I was trying to teach this girl Lauren to hit the ball. Her group leaders were like "just let her use the tee" but all her other group mates hit the ball by tossing it and so when they kept insisting that she hit off the tee... she looked sad. So I told her group leaders "No, I believe that Lauren can hit the ball so I'm going to give her three more balls" and the third ball she hit the ball and she was soooo happy as she ran to first. After the game was done, Lauren came over to me and gave me a hug and said "thanks for letting me hit like everyone else".
To me thats when I knew when I wanted to become a teacher.. when the kids have that "ah ha" moment, it really makes me happy and feel good inside like I made a difference. I've always enjoyed working with children so I felt the next step was going to graduate school to get my master's degree in elementary ed. and there is my story!! :)