I am passionate about education, and I aspire to become a teacher. I believe that I can personally relate to my future students because I have been able to overcome many challenges in my academic journey. The beliefs of my family, the experiences I had, the teachers that I admire, and the key events that took place in my life, all shaped the person I am today and why I chose to become an educator.

My parents moved to Canada, and they followed their dream of being successful in a new country. They were ambitious, committed, and hard working. They instilled these values within our family. For example, throughout my high school years I strived for the highest grades within my reach. I accomplished this goal by taking course notes, using flashcards to prepare for exams, and completing all the assignments on time. Similarly, I completed all swimming levels by attending every training class and perfected this sport by taking additional swimming time with family and friends. Likewise, I obtained my driver’s license by preparing notes for the written exam and practiced driving every day for almost two years. This work style was useful because I was able to apply my knowledge from the driver’s handbook to driving on the road. I will carry these beliefs forward within my own classroom and hope they will have a positive impact on my students’ well-being.

Early in my life, I was diagnosed with a learning disability that slows me down in my performance, especially in comprehension and mathematics. Because of this, I had initially experienced low self-confidence and anxiety in social settings. Planning for and juggling many challenges affected my learning so I worked on changing my organizational habits. I have now developed many skills including time-management, being punctual, and balancing multiple life priorities. These tools support me because I am able to make a daily schedule and take productive action to complete tasks. This life changing experience motivated me to look deeper into the possibility of becoming an educator. I believe that I can give my students specific techniques that will help them in overcoming their own limitations.

I have been taught by some phenomenal teachers during my elementary and high school education as well as at university. For example, my grade eight homeroom teacher was keen on treating all students equally. He taught us that everyone deserves the right to education no matter their physical appearance, religious beliefs, or cultural backgrounds. Building on this lesson, I will ensure that my students learn in a safe environment that is free from any stereotypes as well as from racism and bullying. Similarly, my Learning Resource Teacher at high school helped me gradually develop a learning style based on my capabilities. The most memorable lesson that she taught me was that having a learning disability means that I learn differently. Through her coaching, I was able to achieve the honor roll award twice in my high school years. I believe that I can bring a positive change for students with special needs by identifying their limitations and supporting their improvement. More recently, I thoroughly enjoyed learning during my first ever course from the Faculty of Education. The teacher taught us how to be team players through course assignments that required active participation and group presentation. Adopting such an approach, my students will have the ability to cooperate with one another and stimulate their creative thinking, problem-solving, and social skills.

I made my firm decision to become a teacher when I was struggling during my first year of university. I was taking courses from diverse fields such as business, computer science, and arts. I had difficulties because I was unable to connect to the information that I was learning about. I registered for an education course where I participated in discussions and assignments. I realized my true passion within this program because I am involved in multiple group activities, and I am stress free of exams. Therefore, my learning style is easily compatible with this type of instruction and material.

To conclude, I have had several experiences that inspired me to become an educator. The family beliefs of ambition, commitment, and hard work shaped my personality development. These values enabled me to achieve the honor roll award twice during high school, complete all of my swimming levels, and achieve a driver’s license. My learning disability encouraged me to learn how to manage my time and balance my daily activities. My teachers taught me to treat everybody the same, that it is okay to learn differently, and how to be a team player. These lessons influenced me to become a teacher because I want my students to learn in a safe environment and to have strong communication skills. By instilling these lessons in my students, I can show them that they too can embark on a journey of finding their true passion and excelling in these, just as I did.