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Who am I? If you were to ask me that question at any point in time, you'd likely be met with very different answers. Even two or three months ago, perhaps even an hour ago or two hours from now. Time is a tricky thing like that, as are our own perceptions of self, and then of course of the world around us. Let's go back to the start, all the way back to the late spring of 2001, when I was born. I was born 6 weeks premature, and struggled as a newborn, but I survived. I grew to become a happy and healthy toddler and young child. The summers were spent at the neighborhood pool; the smell of sunscreen and the sounds of splashes, the ice cold showers to get in and out of the pool, despising when the lifeguard called break, playing 'Shark' or 'Colors' with my brothers and the other neighborhood kids are all memories that have stuck with me and are the earliest I can recollect. The next memory that stands out the most is when my mom was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic colon cancer, a death sentence. This was when I was in 2nd grade, and thankfully by 5th grade my mom was no longer battling cancer, just struggling to recover from chemotherapy. Then when I was in 5th grade, she was again diagnosed with cancer, but this time stage III aggressive breast, this was also dealt with swiftly. After undergoing a double mastectomy and radiation treatment she was well again. During these hard times, I suffered at school, I was a fat kid and was picked on, I acted out and received poor treatment from students and teachers alike. At home and at school, I was on a battleground, I felt lost and alone and dark. Who wouldn't? Who couldn't? When I started middle school, the bullying lessened and my teachers were oftentimes more compassionate than my elementary school teachers, and they helped me find more footing and enjoyment in school again. Over time, with the lessons they imparted to me along with the ones from my teachers in high school, I grew to enjoy school and found a passion for teaching and helping others learn. I want to help other "Little Noahs" to find the hope and light and joy in life through education and their time in school. I think this, despite being long-winded is the best way to accurately describe who I am, at least in regards to what's lead me here, to writing this.
In the video I read the poem, and talk about some of the specifics about me and what I meant with certain things.The big takeaways:
I would consider myself a perennialist, although I do think that involving students is super important and I love classroom discussions!
I want students to work with one another and think about things critically and for themselves, and help bring out the best in themselves and their peers.
As a teacher, I'm many things for my students: a person to talk to when in need, a guide, and gardener, and so much more. I used several different metaphors to express that idea.
As a teacher we are more than just a teacher, and as a student, we are more than just a student.
◀︎ This is a super long-winded summary of who I am; read at your own discretion.
One thing I've done is take my health way more seriously! I used to be super duper heavy, and I decided to finally take my faith seriously and everything else fell into place.
(The left is from January 2020! The right is from December 2020! Also excuse that I'm terrible at taking pictures of myself haha.)
Despite considering myself caring and sympathetic to others, there is one major problem. I'm limited in my own perspective. The only view I can ever truly have, is my own. I'm sometimes biased because of this, or even don't do certain things. I'm not a big risk taker, and I think getting out of my comfort zone is something I need to do more often, and something which I've had to do a lot with having to take all online classes for the last year.
My friend and I have taken these different pictures and pointed out different things to each other when hiking. It's things like these that show our differences and similarities and open our minds to new experiences.
< Sorry if that's a little confusing to read, I was going for a little bit of creativity. And since I'm a huge fan of breakfast food (the picture probably gives it away that pancakes are my favorite). I felt a diner menu may have been appropriate haha.
I think I've said as much as I can in shadowy images and generalizations about what kind of person I am, and the teacher I will be. I want to help students, and families. My goal in education, and I think all of ours, is not simply just to teach school lessons, but to reach our students. Make an impact for the greater good in their lives, while teaching them the scholastic information they need. This is undoubtedly going to be difficult: mentally, emotionally, and physically, but we are all driven by this goal. Enjoy this poem that I've written that I believe describes this struggle well.
Thank you if you actually read all of that. I know it was A LOT! Any feedback is appreciated! :) Leave it down below!
Hi Noah! Your page is very creative and I liked how personal your perspectives on teaching are! I liked the organization of your page, as well as your breakfast menu that showed your thoughts about education and teaching. You seem to be very driven and dedicated to teaching, and you will be such a great teacher to all of your students! - Shayla Criss
Hi Noah! First off, congrats on your lifestyle changes, I wish I was motivated like you seem to be. I love that you were attracted to teaching so that you could help other kids who may be struggling the way that you did in school. It is important for teachers to empathize and understand their students and I think that you will be able to do that with ease. - Morgan Wilson
Hi Noah! I really enjoyed reading your "Who I am". It sounds like you've been through a lot through your life at a young age. That's awesome that you've been inspired to teach and want to help more kids who have been bullied. Your lifestyle change was absolutely amazing too so congrats on that! That's something to really be proud of. I really enjoyed reading your page. You will be an awesome teacher! -Laurie Ummels
Salve, Noah! It's always great to see you thrive in Latin class and now here! You are going to be a fantastic influence on students as a teacher, and you have such a creative mind that I'm sure they will never go through a class feeling bored. - Samantha Lewis
I love how personal you got with us, and you don't even really know the people who will see this. Your page is very inspiring, and very creative! I think your page truly shows the kind of teacher you will be, outgoing, creative, fun, etc. - Emily Cook
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