Teachers spend their days investing in other people’s children.

They celebrate victories, encourage kids through challenges, and pour their hearts into helping the next generation succeed. It’s work that’s built on patience, compassion, and a genuine desire to make a difference.

Those same qualities are often what make incredible surrogates.

Just ask Jesse Dummitt.

Jesse is a full-time teacher, a mom of three, and a two-time surrogate. What started as a simple question—“Could I help another family?”—became one of the most meaningful experiences of her life.

If you’ve ever wondered whether teachers can become surrogates, Jesse’s story offers an honest look at what’s possible.

Why Teaching and Surrogacy Have So Much in Common

At first glance, teaching and surrogacy may not seem related. But when you look a little closer, they share something important: both are rooted in caring for others.

Teachers spend years helping children grow, while surrogates help make it possible for a child to enter the world in the first place.

For Jesse, becoming a surrogate wasn’t simply about the financial benefits. She knew she had healthy pregnancies and felt called to use that gift to help someone else experience parenthood.

She describes surrogacy as part of her ministry and one of the most meaningful ways she’s ever served another family.

After completing her own family, she realized she still had the ability to give another couple something they couldn’t do on their own. That realization changed everything.

“I Loved Being Pregnant”

Pregnancy isn’t something everyone enjoys, but Jesse did.

After having her own children, she found herself thinking about how much she loved being pregnant. Instead of wondering if she would experience it again for herself, she began asking whether she could do it for someone else.

Once she started researching surrogacy, the process moved faster than she expected. She was matched with intended parents for her first journey, and later completed a second.

Looking back, what surprised her most wasn’t the medical process or the appointments.

It was the relationships.

“I thought I was helping someone have a baby,” Jesse said. “I wasn’t expecting to gain lifelong friends.”

Teaching While Pregnant as a Surrogate

One question teachers often ask is, “What do I tell my students?”

Jesse found that children handled the news much better than many adults expect.

As her pregnancy became more noticeable, students naturally asked questions. Rather than avoiding the conversation, she explained that she was helping another mommy and daddy have their baby because they needed a little help growing their family.

The response was exactly what you’d hope for.

Her students accepted it with curiosity and kindness. They didn’t see anything unusual. They saw someone helping another family.

Those conversations became opportunities to talk about empathy and the many different ways families are created.

What About Her Own Children?

Many women considering surrogacy worry about how their own children will react.

For Jesse, that concern disappeared quickly.

Her children understood from the beginning that the baby belonged to another family. Instead of feeling confused, they became excited supporters throughout the journey.

Watching them celebrate alongside the intended parents became one of Jesse’s favorite memories. It also reinforced an important lesson that stayed with all of them: families may be built in different ways, but love is what connects them.

The Friendship She Never Expected

One of the biggest surprises for Jesse was the relationship she built with her intended parents.

They texted almost every day, exchanged Marco Polos, talked about work and family life, and celebrated milestones together throughout the pregnancy.

By delivery day, they felt like far more than people connected through a surrogacy journey. They had become lifelong friends.

That’s exactly what Egg Donor & Surrogate Solutions hopes to create with every match.

Rather than treating surrogacy like a business transaction, the agency works to pair surrogates and intended parents who genuinely fit together based on their personalities, communication styles, values, and expectations.

Those connections often become one of the most meaningful parts of the experience.

Why Teachers Make Great Surrogates

Teachers already possess many of the qualities that help surrogates thrive.

They’re patient enough to handle a long journey with unexpected twists.

They’re excellent communicators who work with families, administrators, and professionals every day.

They’re organized, adaptable, and used to balancing busy schedules.

Most importantly, they care deeply about helping others.

Those qualities don’t just make someone a great teacher. They also create the foundation for an incredible surrogate.

Becoming an Advocate

Jesse discovered that one of her favorite parts of surrogacy wasn’t just helping a family welcome a baby.

It was talking about it.

Coworkers, parents, friends, and even strangers had questions about surrogacy. Instead of feeling uncomfortable, she welcomed the conversations.

She believes that the more people understand surrogacy, the more families can find hope and the more women may realize they have the opportunity to help.

Could You Become a Surrogate?

At Egg Donor & Surrogate Solutions, we’re honored to work with compassionate women from many different backgrounds, including teachers.

In general, surrogate candidates should:

• Be between 21 and 40 years old
• Have given birth to and be raising at least one child
• Have a history of healthy pregnancies and deliveries
• Maintain a healthy BMI
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident living in a surrogacy-friendly state
• Be financially stable
• Be a non-smoker and free of illegal drug use
• Have reliable transportation for medical appointments
• Be emotionally prepared for the commitment that surrogacy requires

If you’re not sure whether you qualify, we’re always happy to answer your questions.

Can You Teach While Being a Surrogate?

Absolutely.

Many surrogates continue working throughout most of their pregnancy, including teachers.

As with any pregnancy, every experience is unique, but most women are able to remain in the classroom until it’s time to begin maternity leave. Your physician, school administration, and surrogacy team can help you create a plan that works for your specific situation.

Was It Worth It?

For Jesse, there’s no hesitation.

She says becoming a surrogate was one of the most rewarding experiences of her life.

She expected to help another family become parents.

She never expected that family to become part of her own story.

Today, her journey encourages other women to ask themselves a simple question:

“Could I do this?”

For many teachers, the answer is yes.

Start Your Own Story

Every year, hopeful parents place their dreams in the hands of women who are willing to help them build a family.

Teachers already know what it means to invest in someone else’s future. Surrogacy offers another way to make that same kind of lasting impact.

If you’ve completed your own family, had healthy pregnancies, and feel called to help others, becoming a surrogate could be one of the most meaningful decisions you’ll ever make.

We’d love to answer your questions and help you explore whether surrogacy is the right fit for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can teachers become surrogates?

Yes. Teachers often make wonderful surrogates because they’re compassionate, organized, patient, and experienced communicators. Many continue teaching throughout most of their pregnancy.

How much do surrogates earn?

Qualified surrogates with Egg Donor & Surrogate Solutions receive competitive compensation along with comprehensive benefits and support throughout the journey.

What are the requirements to become a surrogate?

Generally, candidates should be between 21 and 40 years old, have experienced at least one healthy pregnancy, be raising their own child, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and successfully complete the required medical and psychological screenings.

Why choose Egg Donor & Surrogate Solutions?

Since 2007, Egg Donor & Surrogate Solutions has helped thousands of families grow through thoughtful matching, personalized support, financial transparency, and a commitment to treating every surrogate and intended parent with care and respect.