1.) Why do I want to become a teacher?
I want to become a teacher because if I can inspire, encourage, and/or instill a love for learning into the children that enter my classroom day after day, year after year, I believe that love for learning would last them a lifetime. To love learning goes farther than what they learn, but rather how they learn it, and by whom they learn it from. To be able to create in children a desire and passion to continually learn beyond their high-school years into whatever they pursue later in life, is a big part of why I want to teach. I also believe that even though they are limited in their life experience, children no matter their age add so much to our lives and to those in the community—we can learn a lot from them too. Every child matters and they are people first. They need people in their lives to encourage, cheer them on, and believe in them because at the end of the day their teachers may be the only ones fulfilling their need for human connection. That connection has the power to change a child’s education and life. I want to become a “Miss. York” (an inspiring educator that laid the foundation to love learning) to every student, colleague, and member in my community that I interact with each day.
2.) What is the work of teachers?
I believe the work of teachers goes beyond reading, writing, and arithmetic. Their work consists of being role models, influencers, cheerleaders, life coaches, and encouragers because as Rita Pierson says, “every child deserves a champion that will never give up on them…and insist that they become the best that they can possibly be” (YouTube, 7:16). I think if every teacher a child encounters in their K-12 education has the same mindset as Rita Pierson in regard to teaching, education would be a completely different experience for all involved. As an educator I can neither change, nor control others, but I can be an example of the “champion every child deserves” (Pierson) and be purposeful in all my relationships to bring out the best in others.
3.) Am I a teacher 24 hours a day?
I absolutely believe I am a teacher 24 hours a day! As a teacher I represent more than just myself, but rather the education system as a whole. In the various interactions with people in my community, in the school I will work in, and even in my home, I represent education. Even when I may think no one is looking, I can be sure someone is always watching me. I remember running into not only my teachers, but also my children’s teachers outside of school. I do not remember them ever doing anything wrong or unacceptable, but it probably would have left me with a negative impression if they did. Integrity is everything, especially when it comes to those who are entrusted with such impressionable minds—children. Throughout my day every interaction I have could be a student, parent, grandparent, colleague, etc., and could be witnessed by one of them too, so I must continually be professional and remember that being a teacher is as much a part of my identity as my name.