My Future Teacher

I have been working on my academic career for many years now. I am currently in my third year of community college, and have come across multiple teachers who have helped and inspired me in many ways. A teacher not only teaches the content of their course, but life skills as well. They are kind, caring, considerate, and understanding of their students. A teacher who goes above and beyond for their students is one that will make a difference. One teacher who I believe has made all the difference to me, was my accounting professor.

One of the questions I asked her was “What skills and personal qualities are important for success in your field?” after I asked this question she told me that some of the keys that make a successful teacher is someone who is patient and loves kids. She also said that being a teacher is one of the most rewarding jobs to have because no other occupation is possible without a teacher. Her response made me think about myself and made me realize that I really do want to be a teacher.

I first became interested in teaching in my sophomore year in high school. My inspiration came from three amazing teachers who showed passion for their subject matter as well as a love for teaching. My desire to become a teacher was amplified by the many leadership and teaching roles that I took on while I was in Boy Scouts. While teaching in Boy Scouts I learned that teaching was what mattered most to me. Under my leadership, I helped advance many scouts to the rank of Eagle Scout as well as winning multiple awards at every summer camp that we attended. This was my jumping point into enrolling in Old Dominion University’s education program.

The teachers, they can point to and say, “That individual assisted me in becoming the person I am today.” For me, I have one special person that I can do that to. This individual is not only my favorite teacher, but very influential in my life. Katie Josef, my Ed Tech teacher, has shown me what true passion for the field of education looks like. I witness her upbeat personality, and get to experience the kindness she exuberates to her students on a daily basis. She drives the individuals in her class to succeed to their best ability. She inspires me to become an outstanding teacher in whatever field I choose to pursue. Mrs. J has shown me what a teacher that cares for her students truly looks like. With the love and support she shows, it is no mystery how she creates unbreakable bonds with her students- bonds that last for many years, even after a student's graduation. I desire to create these same bonds with my future

My decision to be a teacher did not come easily to me. This choice was dependent on a reflection about what I was passionate about and how I could make a difference. I have chosen to become a teacher, as I believe teachers have the ability to provide future generations the stimulation for one of the most significant roles in life; to become a lifelong learner. Many teachers that I have had during my education have had a positive impact on my decision to grow and develop the skills that are fundamental to pursue a successful teaching career. My aim is to be a part of an honorable profession with the optimism that one day I will become an efficacious teacher who can provide future teachers with inspiration, as my teachers have provided for me. Through personal educational experiences and peer-reviewed academic literature, I am able to shape my approach to my pre-service teaching, as it will influence my future practice. As a teacher, there is not just one singular approach to educating students; there is a need for flexibility, diversity, adaptation and reflection.

One of the influential people that made a huge impact in my life is my college professor who told me to never settle for less. She encouraged me to push the envelope and attempt to do things that are out-of-the-box. Her credentials and accomplishment in teaching is, for lack of a better word, overwhelming. She is strict, but fair. She saw my potential in teaching and told me that being a great teacher requires 4C's and 1P: competence, compassion, character, commitment, and passion. These are the things that remember by heart. Every time someone asks me who is my role model in teaching, I would always tell them that Mrs. Edith L. Ortega is the person I look up to up to this time. Even though she is nearing retirement, she still managed to keep

As I was going through high school there were many teachers that were important to me, but there was one that stood out in my mind that truly influenced my life. Mr. Ron Edwards, my 9th grade American History teacher was the most influential teacher I have ever had throughout school. Mr. Edwards was very passionate about teaching and you could tell by the way he taught every single day. He talked loud so that you wouldn’t fall asleep in his class. It was very hard to fall asleep in his class because you never knew if he was going to pick on you that day to answer questions during his discussions. He always noticed how well I took notes and he let me know it throughout the trimester. I was the best note taker he had ever met. Knowing this fact

Throughout school I never valued my teachers in the ways I should have. I never tried to connect or bond with anyone, it was just school. Some teachers will go above and beyond to influence their students, and they are the ones who have a true passion for their career. As a kid I hated school, but what kid didn’t? We went because we had to and we longed for going home. Out of all the teachers I’ve had as a young kid, one teacher I will never forget was my 2nd grade teacher, Ms. Nix.

Recently I enrolled myself in one of the most challenging classes in my entire high school, AP US History (APUSH). Even though it’s been a struggle to keep up with everything in the class, I still know that because of this class I now have having a better understanding of life. My APUSH teacher has not only lectured my class about history but he also taught us life lessons every once in awhile. Throughout the year my teacher had us read books that have inspired him in his life in hope that we will take something away with us before going off on our own in the world. We read books like The Energy Bus by and The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrew,two books that teach people how to keep positive, make the right decisions, and be successful. My teacher

I learned quickly that being an effective teacher is an art that takes time and devotion. Many times, teachers are not provided with the necessary materials in order to maintain the various learning styles in a classroom. It is up to the teacher to create an environment where students can succeed. This is a full time job, meaning that a teacher’s work is not done once they leave the school. A teacher must contribute a significant amount of time and effort in order to see positive results in the school and in his or her own classroom. After observing my cooperating teacher’s strategies and learning more about the profession, I knew that I was going in the right direction with my life. I took a significant amount of knowledge away from this experience and have continued to strive to be the type of educator that I was blessed to work with during this experience. .

I had teacher teachers who influenced me in a positive way and I had teachers who influenced me in a bad way. For example, I always enjoyed my Biology class when I was a freshman because my teacher made his lectures interesting and gave us time to work on our homework in class. On the other hand, I always had teachers who were mean and acted like they were my boss. I still tried to do good on those classes, but it had a negative impact on me.

This past semesters has been an eye opening experience that has changed my views on teacher. Ever since I was little, I have always wanted to be a fourth grade teacher. However after being placed in a second grade classroom my views have changed. I liked the idea of teaching fourth grade because my fourth grade teacher was my inspiration in life. When I was in Ms. Petro’s class I enjoyed being able to watch the students progress over time. Being able to see the drastic improvements in little children is very rewarding and that is why I want to continue to teach lower grades. I have learned that being a teacher requires a special someone, a person who knows that sometimes you will have to deal with tough situations leaving you exhausted and feeling like you are not able to help more. But at the same time, being a teacher allows one to be a visionary for the world and those who surround you.

I've known for a while that I want to do something that helps better shape the lives of young people. I have had some excellent teachers over the years, and I want to be able to do what they did for me for other students. My mother and a few of my other relatives and family friends are teachers, so I've seen and heard about the experience firsthand for most of life. Sometimes my mom comes home and says she had a great day and she loves her job, but other times she is pretty miserable. Seeing the smile and the struggle that comes with teaching is what really inspired me. A job where you have a perfect, enjoyable day every day of the year does not exist. Every job comes with a little bit of struggle; without struggle it won't get better.

Do you remember being young and playing pretend? Do you remember wearing your mom’s high heels, dressing up in a nice outfit, and marching around teaching your ten American girl dolls a lesson. I for sure do. This was my everyday afterschool routine. Teaching my younger sisters and my dolls the lessons that I had learned in school that day. I had a mini classroom in my basement set up with a chalkboard and all. Teaching to me gave me the opportunity to lead. It gave me the chance to be in charge. Ever since I was young, I wanted to be a teacher. I couldn’t wait to set up a classroom and make it my own. But even more, I couldn’t wait to begin a school year with thirty children and watch them grow and learn throughout the year. I want to be a teacher who is an influential part of their lives. For the amount of time, effort, and work that teachers put into their job they should be more appreciated because they are educating the children who will grow up to be the leaders of the future.

“High School is the time and place where you truly begin to discover who you really are.”With these words being uttered so often, it’s nearly impossible to live without hearing them. I never put much thought to it, as the cliche has almost lost all meaning from hearing it so often. But one day, a teacher that I admired beyond comprehension espoused the cliche, and I really started to think about it. This teacher was Mr. Bueno, my middle school band director, and one of my best friends. After putting sincere thought to the phrase, I was genuinely inspired by it. With this inspiration, I decided that the moment I step foot into high school, I am going to find out who I am. Having this mindset guided me along a path of great opportunity and lead me to take part in everything I did.