Is There A War Between Teachers and Entrepreneurs That No One’s Talking About?

Maybe not a full-blown war, but there’s definitely a growing debate among high school students about who to listen to when it comes to their future—teachers or entrepreneurs.

I recently heard from a student who bluntly stated that they’d rather listen to an entrepreneur than a teacher. The exact comment was, “I’d rather listen to entrepreneurs like [insert famous name here] than a gay teacher like you!” Hate aside, it got me thinking about why some kids view entrepreneurs and teachers as being on opposite sides.

The Perception Problem

It seems that some students believe entrepreneurs are the antithesis of teachers. This mindset is like turning entrepreneurship and teaching into political parties, with entrepreneurs representing one extreme and teachers the other. And the battleground? Education.

Some kids are under the impression that entrepreneurs are anti-school, anti-degrees, and, by extension, anti-teacher. But is this really the case?

The Reality: Teachers and Entrepreneurs Shape the World Together

Entrepreneurs are known for creating groundbreaking innovations, but here’s the thing—they usually receive some form of education along the way. Whether it’s formal schooling or self-directed learning, education plays a crucial role in their success.

Teachers, on the other hand, are instrumental in shaping not just entrepreneurs but everyone. Many successful entrepreneurs acknowledge that school systems can be flawed—too limiting, expensive, or not focused enough on real-world problem-solving. As a teacher, I can agree with these critiques.

However, just because the system isn’t perfect doesn’t mean it’s useless or harmful.

Teachers Are Not “School”

It’s essential to separate teachers from the school system itself. Teachers often represent the interests of the school, but they’re also incredibly creative in how they teach and engage students. They use the curriculum as a framework but bring their own unique approaches to the classroom.

Students need to realize that teachers and entrepreneurs aren’t competing for their attention or offering wildly different perspectives. In fact, many teachers are also entrepreneurs! They start businesses, manage finances, and create value—all while continuing to learn and teach others. I’m one of these teacher-entrepreneurs, balancing my passion for education with running a business.

The Bottom Line

There’s no need for students to choose between listening to teachers or entrepreneurs. Both offer valuable insights that can help shape a successful future. The real challenge is learning to appreciate the strengths of both worlds and recognizing that they’re not as different as they might seem.

I hope this gives you a fresh perspective!