While reading other people's post, I find that a lot of why you all wanted to become teachers rings true for me as well. Like many of us, I initially resisted my inclinations for teaching because I refused to follow in my parent's footsteps and fall into everyone else's expectations for my life. However, every job and almost every volunteer opportunity I have ever had seemed to revolve around children and I loved (almost) every minute of it! I enjoy their company so much more than adults and can't understand why everyone doesn't want to surround themselves with children all day and get paid for it! But I have come to realize that this says something about me and what I am meant to do. I have found my time working in day care and elementary schools to be some of the most amazing and illuminating times of my life and now understand that teaching is what I want/love to do.
I have had the opportunity as a special ed. assistant to observe an array of teachers in different grade levels and have learned so much from my time in the classroom about the kind of teacher I want to be. It has been a great way to see the amazing ways a teacher can touch the life of a child and to get great ideas for my classroom. On the other hand, I have also learned so much about the kind of teacher I do not want to be. In fact, I think my biggest inspiration to become a teacher has been my exposure to so many negative experiences in the schools I worked in. I have witnessed firsthand how a teacher's negligence in getting to really know and appreciate their students can allow children to slip through the cracks for yet another year. I have seen too many teachers use the same standard lesson plans year after year, even when they are obviously ineffective for most of the class. And most disappointing, I have witnessed negative stereotyping and discrimination and have seen the way it can affect a child's attitude about school and their sense of self-worth.
Being a witness and sometimes a part of these classrooms has ignited a passion in me to make a difference in education. I can't wait to work with my own students and to make all the positive changes I have been thinking about for so long. I am also excited to implement my LC education and my continually evolving educational philosophy in the classroom. I will continue to push myself to be the best teacher I can be and work to create a place for my students to excel where they all feel a sense of belonging and pride.