Growing up I was always told, you never know your dream job. My goal was to defy this statement. Finding your future job can be challenging. Many factors can influence the decision, including people, environment, beliefs and morals, and personal strength and ability. Becoming a teacher was a decision I went back and forth on. My past of dance, school experiences, moving, family, and covid all played factors into my present decision of career choice. I am a positive, determined, loving, perfectionist. I am constantly striving to create a better future for myself and the people I impact.
I was a dancer for 13 years. It played a significant role in my life and who I became. I spent six hours a day at the dance studio surrounded by teachers, fellow students, and parents. Dance become my mom and I’s way to bond. I had many interests in other sports, such as track and volleyball but had to decide; either devote myself to my passion for dance or sacrifice the dream and enjoy other activities. I chose to dance. At the age of six, I decided dance would be my future. I wanted to become a professional ballerina. I trained long and hard. Causing me to miss many life moments. I missed school sports, school dances, community events, school events, and friend events. At the age of eight, I committed to the semi-professional show of The Nutcracker. Six years later I auditioned for a professional company Balley Jörgan in Toronto. I was accepted for the summer program. This was the highest career establishment yet. I was proud of myself. Devoting your life to dance can have its positives and negatives. I watched my friends and peers experience a childhood I had to accept I would miss. Having a dream like the acceptance to the company, validated everything I had missed. After week one of the program, I had severe foot pains, and I found out I had broken my foot and was sent home for surgery.
My world crashed, my dreams and goals were stopped indefinitely. In the following years, I searched for the love and validation dance gave me, but was unsuccessful in finding it. After I accepted the fate that I was done dancing; I was able to reflect. Showing me the dedication and determination dance gave me. My dance teachers were able to show me strict love; a boundary of comfort but professionalism, which I believe should be inflicted in being a young educator. The
strong worth ethic I have, I believe came from my years of dancing. There was no giving up, or quitting; I was taught to work through anything, which influenced my school ethic.
School was a struggle. I loved the work school gave. Missing school events and opportunities to bond with students impacted my school experience. I was bullied for many years and felt like an outsider. I moved six times from grade three to senior year between Swift Current and Regina Saskatchewan between many public schools. I found this hindered my ability to connect with fellow kids and caused me to feel that I was watching from the outside. I was able to see how different teachers taught and how they either made me more driven to do school or lack of. My grade two teacher became a huge influence on my decision to become a school teacher. She created a bond with me, making me feel valued. She gave me an environment where I wanted to work hard. Mrs. Forsyth became support even after I left her classroom. Although my school experience had its negatives, the influence in my life enabled me to become stronger, and show me how I believe inside and outside the classroom children should be valued and cared for.
Not only did school show me how to value individuals, but my family did. I was adopted into a loving home and I am an only child. My mom showed me through her positive personality how to be positive towards myself and others. She showed me taking the higher road not only benefited me but the society around me. Thanks to my parents influenced my love for people. They have always been helpful members of society and the community. They love to help big or small. I watched these actions growing up and found they influenced how I help others and how I have a passion for it. My parents taught me the truth is valuable and holds relationships, something I hope to influence in young minds. Young minds are easily influenced; one value my mom showed me is that no one can make you do anything, it is a choice. This showed me holding true to myself and even though people influence me, it is my choice as to what I do. As being empowerment for young minds who are searching and developing themselves, understanding the influence people have and how to make smart decisions comes from understanding that you are the only one who can make you do anything.
During covid, I was able to reflect on who I am and where I want to be. It showed me my values and gave me time to evaluate how to achieve them. I decided teaching was my future. I want to be able to create an enjoyable environment for younger children; something I found was a positive impact on my work ethic during school. During the pandemic, I have been diagnosed with an Auto Immune Disease. During chemo and steroid treatment, it showed me what things I value now and what things I value in my future. Now in university, I am trying to understand how I can apply my values and beliefs on how teaching should be through my learning.
I am constantly growing as a person and defying the standards of the impossible seeking my dream job. I believe the impact a teacher has on a student’s environment and relationship influences the way they learn and work. To me personally, seeing how people have influenced me, helps me understand how to positively influence children and avoid the negative. I believe a learning environments should be inclusive and adaptable. Creating a relationship that is comfortable for each student is important to make them feel their value and the power they can hold. Each individual holds purpose, something my mom taught me and making people understand and feel that, can help their understanding of how they can grow and create their future dream jobs. You can hold a large impact on people around you. Young minds are sponges and I will strive to create an environment for young children to find their identity the way I have; to benefit them and myself.