- On today's episode of "Careers That Work," we're going to learn what it's like to be a teacher.

(air swooshes) ♪ We're lined up straight and tall ♪ ♪ We're lined up straight and tall ♪ ♪ Not too close ♪ ♪ Not too close ♪ - I always knew that I wanted to work with small children.

I wanted to help be the base of their learning.

So I'm Cara Szili.

I teach second grade at Lakeland Elementary, and this will be my 17th year teaching second grade in the same room, room 105, and I absolutely love it.

Oh, what a good idea.

All right, keep trucking, Jake.

You got it.

Look at you.

You're almost there too.

That's so exciting.

What, six more?

Building confidence in kids is definitely number one.

Along with building confidence comes creating this safe space here.

I've always said to them when they come in, that we're a family, so I want them to feel safe and comfortable.

I love you, have a great day.

Okay, be good.

My fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Perry, she taught me how to study and teach me how to be a good student, and she in particular was one that was inspirational, that kind of gave me that feeling like I could do this too, and I can be that memorable person for a kid.

Good morning, Carms, good morning, Danica.

People think it's all about the curriculum.

It's also about building these relationships with these kids.

Thank you, Ashlyn.

I'm not just this teacher.

I'm sometimes a nurse.

I'm providing a bandaid or a comforting hug or we're so many different people to these kids.

It's a lot, but I love it, and I truly believe that to be a teacher, you have to love what you do.

(gentle music) Okay, are we ready?

So it's a four year degree.

Throughout those four years, I did a ton of observations, just being in classrooms, watching and witnessing teachers doing a really great job.

That last semester of student teaching was key.

There is a huge push right now for social emotional learning for students because of so many things are happening in the world now.

That was another big key component, and then finally, being able to come into the classroom and do my job.

Your choice is to read to others, or if you're willing to try those computers, give 'em a go, okay?

Growing up, I knew I wanted to be a mom.

With being a teacher comes a really great affordability of being able to be with your children.

(people cheering) Yay!

- I wanna do it again.

But my husband's also a teacher, so as being two teachers, we just built our second home six years ago.

We do go on family vacations every summer, so we're able to do that, And we have to be wise with our money, of course, but at the same time, it's definitely a career that the value is the time, I think, more than anything that I'm given.

(upbeat music) - Oh, she was in my mom's class.

- When you become a teacher, stay organized, stay diligent, be ready for anything to happen at any moment, because it does, and just be prepared for the unthinkable every day.

You guys are one in a million.

What would I do without you guys?

I had a student at the end of this year crying, leaving school, they didn't wanna leave me.

"I don't wanna leave you."

I'm like, "I'm gonna be right here.

I'm still right here in room 105.

You could come visit me anytime you want."

But when they do that and they say how much they learned throughout the year, and you know, "I'm gonna remember this, Mrs. Szili, and I'm gonna remember that."

Those are the moments where I'm like, I am so in the right spot.

I am meant to be here.

This is exactly who I am.

And that's when I think to myself, this is the best job ever.

The first thing I do is always the same.

I picked up my pencil and I, very good.

You should think before you speak.

And I see those tears, or when I see them say, "You're my favorite teacher, I'll never forget you, and I'll never forget when we did this, or I'll never forget when we did that," Those are my defining moments.

Every year at the end of the year, it's like that icing on the cake, you know?

But I did something good.

And I think sometimes people don't understand that by doing the job that I do and working with such young children and I take home so much, physically take home work, but in my heart, I take home so much from the students that I work with daily, so I wish more people knew that.

- All right, see you later, alligators.

Be good.

- If this video had you intrigued, be sure to check out more of our career highlight videos or follow us on social media, @careersthatwork.