The best impulse for educators is to live vicariously.
Certainly I get joy out of making music with my students. I get more joy out of seeing my students grow to make music without me.
Certainly I am excited when my students understand new ideas. I get more excited when those students use those ideas to create something.
Certainly I appreciate getting recognized for my work with my students. I appreciate more when students are recognized and centered for their work.
Teaching isn’t an outlet for ego. It’s an outlet for empowerment, and then the vicarious appreciation of what that empowerment brings. And the same is true for parenting: the trick is to find joy in seeing your children find joy.