This week has been a crazy one.
Last Thursday, I looked in the mirror before leaving for school and realized something. I am going to be a teacher? That question mark represents my surprise. I have wanted this for so long and now I am seeing it coming true. It is crazy.
Today, I was talking to a good friend about why I chose to go into Elementary Education. This made me reflect on my own life and my own journey. I figured now would be a good time to write it down for my posterity to read one day.
I was that child. In kindergarten, I remember drawing a picture of a teacher when we were asked what we wanted to be when we grew up. It has never changed. I cannot say that it has not been questioned every now and then.
One fond memory proves this very point. In 4th grade I was set upon being a tight rope walker after reading a story about a girl in the circus. I practiced for hours on our backyard wall because my mom said that was good practice before using a rope. Now I realize that was a lie and she knew I would give it up eventually and a wall was a lot safer than a rope. But I was really good at walking on that wall.
In 9th grade, I remember telling my Biology teacher that I planned to be a teacher. His response surprised me. "You plan on wasting your intelligence." was his answer. It was not even a question. I find it quit ironic that he is a teacher and he is telling me that I am wasting my intelligence by becoming a teacher? Yeah. That really makes sense. This was the first time in my life that I remember someone questioning what I wanted to do. It felt weird, but I remember saying as my mature and believing I was all grown up 9th grade self "Well if I can inspire the kid to love science that will one day cure cancer than it wouldn't be a waste, would it." The topic was quickly changed.
So at that point, I affirmed to myself that I wanted to be a teacher.
I had many opportunities given to me that allowed experience with kids and in a classroom. Even in grade school, my teachers would often have me work with other students after I finished my work to help them learn. I volunteered in a first grade classroom during my 8th grade year and loved it. I also had the responsibility of organizing the choir nursery for my ward each week. From the time I was old enough to babysit (12 years old) until I graduated high school. I am so grateful for being able to surround myself with teaching opportunities before starting into college.
I did have a time that I seriously thought about doing something else. For a lot longer than anyone knew about (even my family) I was almost a Genetics and Biotechnology Major. I had taken some Biotechnology classes in high school and absolutely loved it. I thought that this could even lead me into some sort of medical direction eventually. My little head was running round and round. I had found this subject that I loved and could realistically see myself succeeding at, but what about my dream to become a teacher. The words of my 9th grade teacher came back into my head. Was I wasting my intelligence in education? Could I do something more in Biotechnology? My inner struggle lasted throughout high school. Even my parents would question my choice to be a teacher. They wanted to make sure that it was something I really wanted to do. I remember looking up which classes I would need to take for Elementary Education and everything felt right. I knew I was going to be a teacher.
When I came into college, I started into a sprint. I knew what I wanted to do and I started doing it. I got accepted into the Elementary Education Program at BYU my second semester in college and was already in classes for my major. I honestly do not know how things have worked out the way that they have, but I am very grateful that I am able to get through the program in 4 years and begin living my dream.
One of my biggest pet peeves with the El Ed major is people's viewpoints and judgments. I have had several people, including good friends, treat me like I was dumb or incapable because I just wanted to be a teacher. Apparently by being an El Ed major I am just here to get my MRS. Degree and spit out babies as soon as possible. Yeah right. That is not why I am here! I have felt offended several times by these accusations, but in the end it didn't matter what they thought. There is a brilliant quote by President David O. McKay.
A year from now I am going to be preparing my own classroom. ONLY ONE YEAR!! That is crazy to believe. As I look in the mirror each day, I can't believe that I am doing what I have wanted to do as long as I can remember. It is no longer what I want to be when I grow up. I am here. I am a teacher!
Come what may and love it!
Last Thursday, I looked in the mirror before leaving for school and realized something. I am going to be a teacher? That question mark represents my surprise. I have wanted this for so long and now I am seeing it coming true. It is crazy.
Today, I was talking to a good friend about why I chose to go into Elementary Education. This made me reflect on my own life and my own journey. I figured now would be a good time to write it down for my posterity to read one day.
I was that child. In kindergarten, I remember drawing a picture of a teacher when we were asked what we wanted to be when we grew up. It has never changed. I cannot say that it has not been questioned every now and then.
One fond memory proves this very point. In 4th grade I was set upon being a tight rope walker after reading a story about a girl in the circus. I practiced for hours on our backyard wall because my mom said that was good practice before using a rope. Now I realize that was a lie and she knew I would give it up eventually and a wall was a lot safer than a rope. But I was really good at walking on that wall.In 9th grade, I remember telling my Biology teacher that I planned to be a teacher. His response surprised me. "You plan on wasting your intelligence." was his answer. It was not even a question. I find it quit ironic that he is a teacher and he is telling me that I am wasting my intelligence by becoming a teacher? Yeah. That really makes sense. This was the first time in my life that I remember someone questioning what I wanted to do. It felt weird, but I remember saying as my mature and believing I was all grown up 9th grade self "Well if I can inspire the kid to love science that will one day cure cancer than it wouldn't be a waste, would it." The topic was quickly changed.
So at that point, I affirmed to myself that I wanted to be a teacher.
I had many opportunities given to me that allowed experience with kids and in a classroom. Even in grade school, my teachers would often have me work with other students after I finished my work to help them learn. I volunteered in a first grade classroom during my 8th grade year and loved it. I also had the responsibility of organizing the choir nursery for my ward each week. From the time I was old enough to babysit (12 years old) until I graduated high school. I am so grateful for being able to surround myself with teaching opportunities before starting into college.
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| One of the rare times that I have a picture of me with glasses! And I am fat. |
When I came into college, I started into a sprint. I knew what I wanted to do and I started doing it. I got accepted into the Elementary Education Program at BYU my second semester in college and was already in classes for my major. I honestly do not know how things have worked out the way that they have, but I am very grateful that I am able to get through the program in 4 years and begin living my dream.
One of my biggest pet peeves with the El Ed major is people's viewpoints and judgments. I have had several people, including good friends, treat me like I was dumb or incapable because I just wanted to be a teacher. Apparently by being an El Ed major I am just here to get my MRS. Degree and spit out babies as soon as possible. Yeah right. That is not why I am here! I have felt offended several times by these accusations, but in the end it didn't matter what they thought. There is a brilliant quote by President David O. McKay.
"I think it must be apparent to every thinking mind that the noblest of all professions is that of teaching and upon the effectiveness of that teaching hangs the destiny of nations."POWERFUL! This quote has been in my mind every day. This is why I am teaching. I want to teach to make a difference in the world. I could do that with science or medicine, but I feel like my calling is to be an elementary school teacher. In every footstep I have taken in my life I have always felt a push for teaching. I am going to make a difference. I am going to inspire the next generation of doctors, lawyers, Presidents, teachers, and every other career out there. This is my responsibility. I feel like if I can inspire at least one student to love learning, than it will all have been worth it.
A year from now I am going to be preparing my own classroom. ONLY ONE YEAR!! That is crazy to believe. As I look in the mirror each day, I can't believe that I am doing what I have wanted to do as long as I can remember. It is no longer what I want to be when I grow up. I am here. I am a teacher!
Come what may and love it!
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