Why did you choose education and have continued to choose it? Of all the investments, why school business?
How do you cope with not being around?
Is it worth it?
This has been a question I receive every now and then.
And my response…
I did not choose education because the work is easy. I chose it because it is necessary.
I did not choose it for recognition, compensation, or for all the money I can make. Nothing could ever equal what the work demands.
I chose it because impact has a longer lifespan than fatigue.
Because when understanding finally reaches one child,
the trajectory of an entire life can shift.
I chose it because schools are more than buildings, they are sanctuaries where safety gives rise to courage,
and consistency becomes a lifeline.
I chose it because leadership in education is presence, showing up steadily enough to become the calm someone carries with them long after they leave.
I chose it because I was born and raised by a teacher to understand that when one child gains understanding, an entire future is reshaped.
I chose it because my upbringing taught me that while educators may not be rich in currency, they are profoundly rich in impact and enduring legacy.
Being a school administrator has never been just a position to me. It is a vision with responsibility. Influence with intention. Legacy shaped quietly, every single day.
Even on the hardest days, I tried to remember why I chose it and it has helped me to remain focused on the greatest good and committed to growth beyond the moment.
I may not be doing it in grand structures or vast numbers but the impact remains authentic, lasting, and undiminished.
I know the work is larger than the moment but I believe that one day, one child will be able to say that my commitment played a role in shaping their journey.
And knowing that what I do endures is enough reason to keep choosing this path.
✍️ Amara Ann Unachukwu
