The influence teachers have on young minds can't be overstated. From the first step you take into a classroom, you will spend more hours with your teacher than you will with your family.

If you can read this, thank a teacher. Your parents taught you to walk and talk, but your educators taught you how to use your brain.

The first authority figure not related to you launched you on an adventure that will never end - the journey of life long learning.

Young college graduates who go into teaching don't think they are on the path to fame and riches. They go into education because they believe in the value of guiding children, teenagers and young adults. They bring a lot more into the classroom than the facts and lessons they learned while they were getting their degree. They have to use their hearts as well as their heads.

Carla Jackson, Louisiana’s 2015 State Teacher of the Year shares her motivation for going into the classroom, "I wanted to give children the courage to have a voice and believe in themselves. I wanted to make sure that no child ever felt like their wings were clipped. They would all fly, wherever their heart desired, and I wanted to help steer the way. I knew that teaching was my destiny."

Teacher Day 2017 is May 9th, so think of your educators who listened, encouraged and even corrected you, who helped you discover your talents, overcome obstacles, spark your imagination, find your passion, plan your dreams, and build your character.

We all have a favorite one who inspired us and holds a place of honor in our history. They may never know how their actions changed the course of your life, but you know.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts nearly two million jobs for educators, from nursery school all the way though college will open up by 2024. If you are looking for a job in education, contact us.

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