Teaching & Learning in Spring 2022

Who I Am...

Hi I'm Rachel, and I'm from Chesapeake, Virginia, where I've lived since I was 3 years old! Prior to living in Chesapeake, and now Norfolk, I've lived on base in North Carolina and California. My father was a marine, and had he not passed away in 2005, I'm sure I would still be jumping from one base to another all across the country. I attended all of grade school in Chesapeake, and I graduated from Grassfield High School in 2020. I have an older sister, who I admire immensely for her intelligence and ease when it comes to success in school.

Growing up, I was extremely active, musical, and creative. I tried almost every sport under the sun just to say I did it. I fell in love with field hockey and cheer/gymnastics, and although I'm not pursuing either professionally or within school, I still enjoy both as a hobby. I practiced piano for 8 years and participated in competitions, festivals, and recitals during that time. I stopped taking lessons once I started high school, but I continue to practice and learn on my own to this day! I also discovered a love for painting, and although I'm not a professional by any means, I've found it to be the perfect remedy for my anxiety. Nowadays, I spend most of my time in school or working, but when I have free time, I enjoy spending it with my family, friends, and boyfriend. I love traveling, thrifting, going to the beach, and relaxing with a good show or movie. Some of my guilty pleasures are drinking iced coffees, watching TikToks, and putting way too much parmesan on my spaghetti.

Currently, I am in my second semester at Old Dominion University, and I am a sophomore. I am an English major with a focus in secondary education. I plan to teach high school English! Last spring I made the decision to change majors, and change my entire career path. For the longest time, I was sure that I wanted to pursue a career in filmmaking, and the thought of becoming a teacher was nothing more than an idea in the back of my mind. A multitude of factors are responsible for making that idea a reality and encouraging me to follow this path. I found myself daydreaming about having my own classroom rather than my name at the end of movie credits, and I began to view my film classes as a chore. I started to realize that I am happiest within a school environment where I can lead and be a part of a community. The Covid-19 Pandemic revealed to me just how important schools and teachers are beyond tests and lectures, as they provide the means for vital social/emotional/mental interactions, discussions, and relationships. I have spent 12+ years building my identity as a student, and I am excited to start building my identity as a teacher!

I am inspired by all things 60s and 70s! I love the retro aesthetic, and I enjoy listening to music from those decades. My boyfriend and I dressed as a hippie and a cowboy for Halloween inspired by one of our favorite songs, "Hippies and Cowboys" by Cody Jinks. Of course I had to be the hippie!

When I'm not in school, I work at the YMCA as a daycare attendant and Summer camp counselor. These two positions have provided me some of the most valuable and rewarding experiences and relationships within my path to becoming a teacher. Working with such young children has been a new challenge, but I have enjoyed it more than I could have ever imagined!

I'm a transfer student! I attended Arizona State University for a semester online and at home due to Covid. I've also changed majors since then as I was originally pursuing a film degree in hopes of becoming a cinematographer. Film is something I am still passionate about, and I plan to utilize my creativity, attention to detail, and appreciation for the arts within my teaching career.

My Influences...

My mother is easily my biggest influence. I admire her more than anyone for her ability to raise two young children on her own all while grieving the loss of my father. She has been nothing but supportive and helpful in every endeavor I have taken on, and she has encouraged me to follow my passions. She has instilled in me a sense of independence and determination that I am so grateful for. She is smart, selfless, generous, and caring.

My father has been a huge influence in my life as well, although he is not here physically. I get to know him through letters, stories, and photos, and I admire his drive and dedication as a marine. He was assertive and determined. Everyone who knew him says I am just like him, and that is something I am extremely proud of.

The Student Council Association of Grassfield High School has been another major influence in my desire to become a teacher. I was a member of the SCA for 3 years, as both a committee member and executive official. During my time in SCA, I was exposed to the inner workings of nearly every school-sponsored event whether it be football games, dances, fundraisers, pep rallies, productions, etc. On a daily basis, I was working one on one with teachers, students, and faculty to brainstorm new ideas and perfect old ones to ensure Grassfield High School was the best it could be. SCA has provided me with immense experiences in leadership, team-building, communication, classroom creativity, marketing, and so much more. I am so grateful to Mrs. Alicia White for being such an incredible SCA Advisor and friend as she demonstrated to me how valuable school can be both inside and outside of the classroom.

My Teachers throughout grade school have undoubtedly influenced my decision to pursue teaching. I find myself being successful in classes where I can tell that the teacher truly enjoys what they are doing, and I have created such amazing relationships with many of these teachers. I have been in many classrooms where I have left smiling by how much fun I've had, rather than bored and tired, and I attribute that entirely to the amazing teachers that I've come across. I've gone to several of my high school teachers for advice or to simply eat lunch and have a conversation. They made me feel like people, rather than a name on a test. I aspire to take after these teachers when running my own classroom, because I believe that there is nothing more rewarding than leaving a lasting, positive impact on someone, like many of my teachers did.

What I Have to Learn