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I was either going to go into law or education, and once I taught for the first time, I was pretty hooked. Really rewarding, and I enjoy working with HS kids a ton. They're really funny, smart, and it's fun trying to get them through those years before they're shot out into the real world.

Other people have listed a lot of the pros and cons, so not really gonna re-list those.

I work during the summer to supplement income, but it's also my choice...and pretty different than working 9 to 5 and whatnot. As a family, we've had to make financial choices, and that's been hard sometimes, but I think my kids are stronger for it...they all seem to have a pretty good sense of the value of money and how to not blow through it. And none of them are going into education for a career, so they've learned...lol.

It's been a pain in the ass to watch friends of mine openly admit that they work way less than I do and make a lot more, but again, that's the choice I made and I think the enjoyment I've gotten out of teaching is pretty priceless...I really do like what I do and I feel I've made a positive impact on a ton of kids. Grading blows as does professional development stuff, but the teaching time with the kids in the classroom and extra-curricularly...I still love it.

I'll add another positive is that teaching allows you to be really connected to your community...the amount of interaction you have with students, parents, etc...it's really nice to feel like you're having an impact in a positive way on the place where you live. It can swing the other way sometimes, but I've had way more good than bad.

As I'm getting into my last 10 years or so, there are things that annoy me, but that's going to be any job. I'm to the point where I remember being a younger teacher and seeing the older teachers kinda roll their eyes whenever the district came out with new goals/initiatives and basically be like "yeah, we tried this 20 years ago, it was stupid then and didn't work, and that's probably what's going to happen if we try it again." Now I'm kinda that older teacher...just seeing the same old crap re-packaged by educational "influencers" online and realizing that, like most things, it's a cash grab. But I think that's also going to happen at pretty much any job where you've been around for a while.

I'll end with the fact that teaching kinda amps you up and sets you up with a "go go go" brain where you're trying to get crap done all the time, even if you have like 2 minutes. You're constantly on the go. I kinda worry a bit about retirement because I think I'm going to drive my wife and family crazy if I don't find another job or some hobbies that will fill my time. Teaching has made me kinda manic...lol.