What makes people want to teach? I haven't really thought about why I like explaining things to people (almost regardless of how successful the attempt to do so may be).

Is it the same principle as snaring someone into watching your favorite show--spreading the wow-that's-cool feeling?

Alternatively, is it more like handing out religious tracts on the sidewalk, including the you-need-to-know-this overtones?

I'm curious as to whether most people interested in education enjoy teaching for the same reasons. I don't think I've talked to other people very much about teaching, apart from long diatribes about how various subjects should be taught.