In today’s world, fewer students are dreaming of becoming teachers. As a school principal, I’ve noticed this sad trend. Even the few students who want to teach often face many problems that make them feel discouraged. But inside our own schools, we already have the power to fix this.
We can change this by helping our students discover the joy of teaching. As school leaders, we must guide them, support them, and show them how important teachers really are. This can be the key to solving the growing teacher shortage in many parts of the world.
1. Growing Teachers from Within Our Schools
Many students today feel unsure about their future. But schools can become places where students not only learn but also find inspiration to teach. When we support students who are interested in teaching, we help create a new group of educators who already understand the needs of their community. These students:
- Know their school’s culture and values.
- Understand the real challenges teachers face.
- Are ready to serve and support others with care and kindness.
This idea is called the “grow your own” method, and it can really work. By helping students become teachers, we keep education strong and filled with passion.
2. Principals Can Inspire Future Teachers Every Day
It doesn’t always take a big plan to inspire a student. Small moments can make a huge difference. For example, earlier this year, I asked a student to help with the hiring process for a new assistant principal. She was nervous at first, but by the end of the meeting, something changed. She realized she wanted to become a teacher.
That student is Mina Etemadi, and her story shows how powerful simple acts can be.
3. Mina’s Story: A Student Finds Her Calling
Mina shared her experience with great pride. She said that when she joined the hiring panel, she felt nervous. But once she sat in that room, she felt respected. She saw what it was like to be part of big school decisions. That day, Mina didn’t feel like “just a student”—she felt like a leader.
She had always liked helping others, whether it was through sports, student leadership, or working with her principal. But seeing teachers as real people, full of hope and strength, opened her eyes. She saw the heart and leadership it takes to be a great educator.
Mina was also inspired by her favorite teacher, Mrs. Ballard, who believed in her. This belief helped her grow and learn to believe in herself. Mina now wants to create that same supportive space for her future students.
4. The Power of Student Voices
Mina believes that students should have a say in how schools work. She says, “We walk the hallways. We sit in the classrooms. We know what the school feels like.” She wants more schools to listen to student voices—not only about who leads the school but also how teaching happens.
This kind of thinking can improve education for everyone. It creates schools where students feel heard and included.
5. Teachers Deserve More Support
Mina also understands that teaching is hard. Teachers face many problems like stress, burnout, and feeling ignored. To fix this, we must:
- Give teachers more planning time.
- Make class sizes smaller.
- Provide better mental health support.
- Respect their ideas and give them a voice.
Only then will more students feel inspired to join this career.
A Student Chooses to Become a Teacher
Even with all the challenges, Mina has chosen to become a teacher. She believes teaching is not just about lessons—it’s about helping people find confidence, purpose, and strength. She wants to follow the same path as Mrs. Ballard and help shape the lives of young people.
Mina says that teachers are builders. They shape hearts and minds. She knows the work is not easy, but she believes it is worth it.
Daily news highlights like this remind us how one small moment can inspire a student to change their future—and maybe even change the world. In this Breaking News story, a student became a future teacher because someone gave her a chance to be heard. Let’s keep giving more students that same chance.
