*TA Ellin Heidgerken

WHO I AM

1. the young girl who wanted to teach from the moment she stepped into a school

2. the military child who never stayed in one place too long

3. the daughter and sister who holds a special place in her heart for anyone considered family

4. the extrovert who goes out of her way to help anyone who calls out

5. the painfully organized child who would rather sort crayons than play at recess

6. the sensitive soul who care deeply for all beings on the Earth

7. the child of a teacher who inspired me to do what makes me happy, not what others push me towards

8. the intelligent student who throws herself into learning with passion

9. the person who will never give up on who she cares about

10. the ecstatic future teacher who has been waiting her whole life to do what she loves

I am these things and so many more. I have grown up blessed with a great family, and dedicated much of my life to helping people, whether that meant taking in friends who needed a home, tutoring struggling students, or choosing a major where I knew I would be constantly helping people. So many people and things have shaped the person I am today, and the teacher I will be.

WHAT I KNOW

1. how important it is to give students individual attention towards their specific and diverse needs

2. how it feels to be the new kid, and how much better an inviting classroom can feel

3. how important inclusion at all levels is

4. how it feels to be the bored student who is working far under their ability level

5. how it feels to be the confused student who is so far behind it feels impossible

6. how intense the desire to learn can be if a student is stimulated and engaged

7. how dull school can be when a student is NOT stimulated and engaged how dull school can be when a student is NOT stimulated and engaged

8. how important relationships are in a classroom, and how a classroom can be a second home

9. how mental health can affect students, even young children

10. how empathy and an open mind can change lives

I have a love/hate relationship with school. When I was younger, my family moved often. This sometimes left me far ahead of everyone else, or far behind. When I was not on track with the class, I felt left out, bored, or confused. I hated school. However, when I had a teacher that worked to meet my individual needs, whether that was helping me catch up, or giving me extra work to stimulate my brain when I was ahead, I felt an intense desire to learn. I loved school when I was treated as an individual with individual needs, and not as if I was in the same place as every other student. Moving around often (see map below) exposed me to different places, different people, different teachers, and different learning styles. I know the kind of teacher I want to be. I want to be able to take a diverse group of students and tailor my teaching to their individual level, so they can find the love for school that I felt.

WHAT I HAVE TO LEARN

1. how the minds of children work, and how to best harness their full potential

2. how to help students who may not want to give in to getting help

3. how to deal with families, in good and bad situations

4. how to encourage students to form their own opinions without influencing them by my opinions

5. how to teach material to all types of learners, making sure all students understand it in their own way

6. how to plan out a class, and how to stay flexible to changes that may come

7. how to integrate music, art, dance, and other areas into the core subjects I will be teaching

8. how to keep the class engaging but still teach what needs to be taught

9. how to remain calm and patient when my students act up

10. how to be the "fun" teacher, while still holding authority and having the respect of my students

There is so much I still have to learn about how to teach, but my heart and mind are so open and ready to gain new knowledge. I have the base of a good teacher - a good attitude and a full heart - but I need to learn the techniques and logical "how-tos" about teaching. I am ready to gain the experience I need to become the best teacher I can be!

THE TEACHER I WILL BECOME

1. the teacher who students can come to

2. the teacher whose class my students look forward to

3. the teacher who cultivates my students academic potential, but also makes sure they are personally ready to go out into whatever comes next for them

4. the teacher who individualizes my teaching for each of my students, while still making sure the class feels connected and united

5. the teacher whose students value respect, and encourage each other to be excited about learning

6. the teacher who stays excited and enthusiastic every day of every year

7. the teacher who promotes problem solving, learning by doing, activism, and passion for what my students believe in

8. the teacher who is open, in heart and mind, to whatever challenges and joys my student bring

9. the teacher whose classroom has an atmosphere of curiosity and urgency to learn

10. the teacher who fully prepares my students for whatever the rest of their life brings them.

I want to be the teacher that students remember through all their school years. I want to be the one to inspire them to chase education forever. My students will be given the best education I can possibly give them. I want to individualize my teaching style so each student can be reached, and no one is left behind. I want to be open to all, and hold a special place in my students heart as someone who positively influenced their education and life journey.