My journey to becoming a teacher started in high school. I did go to a great high school but I felt that the teachers were uninspired, I felt that they saw us students as mindless children who didn’t have a voice. My teachers only taught to read the slides and didn’t give us an opportunity to express our knowledge. There was no opportunity for us to expand our knowledge with open discussion. There was too much of a focus on teaching test and never true education. I wanted to change this by allowing my future students to feel that my classroom is an open environment; I want to assure them that their view, value and opinions are appreciated and encouraged. I chose history because I believed it was not only a school subject but an art that us as a society can learn from the past. We can learn from the passion citizens had in the past that brought us to where we are today.
I know our education system isn’t perfect but I inspire to part of the change that improves it. I want our future to become great and that starts with the new generations to come. They need a guide to lead them in their confusing time. I want to use history as a bridge to connect with the students. I hope that what the students will learn in my class will not only teach them about history but about the greatness people succeeded in the past and show them the greatness they can also become. As said by Mother Teresa, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples.” I believe students need that person who can push them to inspire their true selves.
When I enter college it was expected of me to take the pre-law track because my parents wanted me to become a lawyer. It wasn’t until a year later, my sophomore year, that I realize I cannot live my life the way my parents it wanted me. I had to become the person I wanted to be. I want to be a person who will change the lives of many young and confused students because I wished that I had someone like that for me. I want become a guide for these students and use history to inspire them for their futures.
High school can be a challenging time for many students who feel lost in a crowd of their peers. Rather they try to merge in with their friends to gain a sense of belonging or are lonely because they feel that they don’t fit in, I want them to understand school is a safe environment and a starting point to the journey of life.
I love that you mentioned that quote by Mother Teresa, because that's how I feel about teaching too. Although it may be discouraging in thinking that we can't reach every single student, but even if we can reach a couple or even just one, that will make all the difference.
ReplyDeleteYour quote is very powerful, and I agree with it. Teachers cannot change the world, but can change a student’s world, whether it be good or bad. Since teachers are seen as authority figures, I think many of them underestimate the power and effect they have upon students. I also really connected with your story on changing career paths because I was the same too. I wanted to go into a very prestigious and demanding field, but it just did not feel worth my time, and I kind of hated it. It is great to see that you decided to take the route you want because despite what our parents may want from us, we are ultimately the ones who make decisions that are in our own best interest.
ReplyDeleteYou could have followed the expectations of someone else but somehow early on you found yourself to recognize a passion you have to do something more than wants expect of you and that is a sincere thing do for yourself and for life. If an opportunity doesn't present itself you create your own opportunity, do you feel like if school went differently for you would you have done something different?
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