Those that can, do; those that can’t, teach

Someone told me that comment (with a large smile) when I finished college and began teaching. It hurt then – the assumption that teachers are more fitted for talking about the greats in their field than producing in their field – and it still leaves me pondering.
I think what the critics forget is that teachers are often so busy finding great examples, inspiring people, and solid ways to teach the range of students in our classes, that when the end of our day comes, there is much less time for our own creativity. We’ve given that time and a lot of that energy to our students. We’re researched, we’ve met with parents and colleagues to devise individual lesson plans. We’re made batches of clay for tomorrow’s art project or cut out blanks of colored paper for the placards in the gym. We’ve shopped for tissue because the school supply is depleted. Instead of composing music or writing novels or creating art, we do the dishes, mop the floor, and head off to bed – tomorrow we’ll be back in the classroom, encouraging, mentoring, reading student papers, and monitoring the lunch room.
Maybe we need to re-define “do” and “teach.” We are doing: we are demonstrating commitment and artistry. Maybe we’re not applying paint to canvas or crafting a new novel each year. Yet, I would prefer to argue that those who want to spend their time for the betterment of others, are doing. We may be crafting, writing, drawing, and photographing in our spare time. We may be living novels and writing them. But we’re also sharing knowledge and our time with our students.