Being A Teacher : My Experience Of Being A Teacher

While attending South Elementary School in Marshall, Illinois, I have learned a lot about the daily life of working within a school from interviewing two different teachers. I have never realized how much work goes into being a teacher no matter the grade being taught. I am so glad that I got the opportunity to participate within this program and getting to talk to these teachers. It has made me realize even more that I have chosen the right career path for myself.

As a future teacher I was very intrigued that I was able to go into the classroom and do hands on activities with the students. I was able to do my field placement hours at an elementary school that provided numerous opportunities for me to work with kids and gave me a chance to broaden my horizon with some new ideas for teaching. Overall I was able to focus on motivational skills, diversity, testing, I got the chance to work with children with learning disabilities, I was able to see the way the teacher interacted with her students, and much more. Although it seemed like 20 hours was a lot, I enjoyed being able to be in a classroom and prepare myself as a future teacher.

For this assignment we had to interview a teacher. The teacher I chose was Mrs. Gilbert. She is a special education counselor and algebra teacher. She has been a huge influence on my life. I can not wait to share the things I have learned from her in this interview.

My capstone is about education and training. My assignment in front of you is what I want to become. I love working with young children. They always put a smile on my face and watching them grow is amazing. Freshman year I took Mrs. Lynn Davis’s Early Childhood class. Taking her class opened my eyes, when deciding what career I want. The first three years of this pathway involved learning basic educational needs of children of ages from birth to age ten. Now, as a senior at Calhoun High School, I'm still taking Mrs.Davis’s class. Examining Teacher Profession or ETP, teaches us how we should start off our teaching profession. I put into training my teaching skills by volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club in Adairsville every summer. Volunteering at the boys and girls

I am currently employed as a Level 2 Teaching Assistant at Oakway Academy in Wellingborough. Since starting in October 2013, I have worked in Year 4, Year 2 and I am currently working in a Reception class. Within my role I am responsible for helping children with their work, supporting the Teacher in setting up, gathering and clearing away resources as well as carrying out pupil observations and completing relevant tracking paper work. I have also completed training on Read, Write, Inc. Phonics and have taught my own Phonics groups over the last 2 years.

My philosophy of teaching is deeply rooted in nurturing the potential each and every student in my classes. Providing a creative environment that allows self assessment, growth, group interaction and mentorship are at its very core. Having taught in Higher Education for many years, and as an instructor of Media Arts and Animation, and Game Design, I have had the amazing opportunity to work with some of the brightest and creative young professionals. Teaching has not only broadened my love of art and exploration, but my determination to help students that do not have the confidence to persevere through their education, yet have the passion to follow their dreams.

Teaching is not just a job that I perform because I expect a reward at the end of each month; it is my passion and I feel extremely satisfied with every successful lesson. I like to help the society, and teaching gives me a great opportunity to do so. I am passionate about educating my students, so I work with them and motivate them to lead them to find inspiration in learning. I use different strategies to engage them and share with them the knowledge.

I had a wonderful experience during my time at Mr. Palmieri’s sixth grade classroom at Woodrow Wilson School in Bayonne, New Jersey. Mr. Palmieri teaches three separate sixth grade classes of Mathematics. He and his students were very welcoming which generally increased my inspiration to teach and pursue my career in education. While completing my field experience, I believe that I have fully grown professionally and academically.

It is hard to believe that a month has already passed since I started my journey as a ESL teacher. From sitting in a coffee shop in Columbus, Ohio googling TEFL courses to sitting in a cyber-cafe in the center of Guadalajara writing my final essay for my TEFL course, the distance seems unfathomable. Indeed it is a good time to reflect on my reasons and motivations for traveling halfway across the world, to start a career in which I have no experience. At first my motivations were rather selfish, like many other ESL teachers my primary concern was finding a job that would allow me to travel. However after the time spent in this course and with my students I sincerely believe I have found a career for myself. One that is personally rewarding and has the ability to make very real profound impacts on peoples lives. Thinking back on the ways I have improved over the course of this intensive month, I cannot help but feel proud of what I have accomplished.

Education encircles teaching and learning skills by imparting of knowledge, judgement and wisdom for future generations. Fullan (2016) defines change as “being imposed on us by (natural events or deliberate reform) or because we voluntarily participate or initiate change when we find dissatisfaction, and inconsistency in our current situation” (p. 19). Fullan (2016) explains that “how we seek change on our own terms, but rather how we handle it when it inevitably occurs.” (p. 21).

3. Linking generic, disciplinary, professional and teachers with school context and problems of students skills.

I have often thought about my own educational experiences that lead to my choice in becoming a teacher. I have many positive memories about my previous years of school and a few negative ones too. Could it be the atmosphere of my school, my peers, the amazing teachers, or even the bad teachers that guided me to my decision? The reality is that all of those experiences lead to my decision in becoming a teacher. Some of my teachers became mentors, while others I shrugged away from in the hall. Many of the other students became friends that would help push me to become the person I am today. Most importantly my education was made great by the community and families that also surrounded the school.

The key to being a mentor for students, is trust. It is important to have a connection with the students. The way to create the connection is by showing your students that they can trust you. I specifically brought up bullying, when I was interviewing my English teacher. He responded by saying that if he notices unnatural behavior in students, his initial approach is to talk to the students involved personally, rather than calling them out in front of everyone and putting them on the spot. If the students continue to act out, then unfortunately he has to report the incident to the administration. All of this comes with the territory of being a teacher. With all jobs, sometimes you will be forced to face a decision that almost seem impossible. The key is to simply use your own judgement, without doubting yourself.

My first experience as a teacher was very exciting and a bit challenging. I spent four weeks in a child protection agency, observing, teaching lessons, and working small group of pupils. This has given me a valuable insight into a many important issues related to teaching. I have learned a lot about myself. The student teaching experience allowed me to put everything that I have learned about education into action. During my student teaching, my supervisor guided me along and helped me the kind of teacher that I want to be.

Why am I a teacher? When I was a child I always had to pretend play school with my friends and I always had to be the teacher. My mom was a preschool teacher at the local day care center and I grew up seeing her cut bulletin boards and plan lessons. My best friend in middle school 's mom was also a teacher. I never wanted to be anything else and didn 't really have a back up plan if this teaching thing didn 't work out. In this paper I will take you on a journey through my educational years in elementary school and middle school, my time high school, delve into my time in college and then into my career as a teacher.