Does opening their hearts help them to rise above the misery of poverty?

You know what? It IS possible to live in poverty and still be happy! Just because someone is cash poor doesn't mean their life isn't rich with happiness. So if you have a person who is really going through a rough spot in their life, having someone to lend a helping hand out of the emotional stuff is indeed helping them to rise above the misery of poverty.

Most teachers, however, have been asked to consider the question, "Are you doing this for your benefit or for theirs?

You had better hope that every single teacher can honestly answer this question with the answer of BOTH. Absolutely teachers do it for the kids but if those same teachers don't get some kind of personal satisfaction and joy from teaching children, then they don't belong in the profession.

Michelle