Why I Teach

"I will never be a teacher!" I spoke these words quite often as I finished high school and worked my way through college as a Psychology major, fully intending to enter grad school in the same field. You see, my mom was an educator and I saw what she went through everyday - the grading, the long hours, the data, the behavior, the stress of testing - and the lack of "thanks" she got. Don't get me wrong, I saw her celebrate her students. I saw her working everyday in a profession she was meant to be in. I saw her helping young students to realize their potential in education. But I also saw the toll that everyday education took on her and "just knew" that would never be me. I could not have been more wrong. As I progressed toward completing my college degree, it became clearer and clearer that I was not following the path I had truly been called to walk.

I was instantly hooked on the whole education path when I began substitute teaching in 2008. I had found my "zone." There was something so special to me about being able to take part in the education process for the upcoming leaders of tomorrow. It did not matter what I was teaching, I was all in. I found myself at school everyday, filling in for teachers in every grade level - at times, even fulfilling the duties of a certified teacher while she was out on maternity leave. Those two years opened my eyes to the world of education - (almost) all that it entailed. And I loved it! I sold myself out to the teaching profession by day and took graduate level courses by night to better my understanding on education and work toward a teaching degree.

During the course of my (short, yet rich) licensed teaching career, I have learned so much in many different settings. I served one year as a 4th grade self-contained general education teacher in an inner-city charter school, one year as a 7th grade World History teacher, and spent the last three years as a 6th-8th grade Special Education Math teacher. I am currently teaching 6th grade general education and inclusion math. I have been exposed to students from all walks of life: affluent, impoverished, minority, athlete, special needs, gifted, and everywhere in between. My latest post has afforded me valuable lessons in student differences and has challenged me to change my thinking with regard to equity in the classroom. Where others might have given up, I have been fortunate enough to hone my skills in one of the most difficult settings in our school. The days have not always been easy, but they have always been worth it.

It is my belief that every child can learn - and every child is worth it. As a teacher, I desperately want to understand student learning, motivation, behavior, and development in order to relate to my students and challenge them, both academically and socially. I truly believe, given proper motivation and direction from educational professionals, every child can reach their God-given potential. Though I cannot make a student decide to take their education seriously, I can decide to help them foster a love for self, an attitude of confidence, and an understanding of the importance of education. Each day I make it a goal to challenge students and watch them grow to their full potential through standards-based planning, setting high expectations (and holding students to them!), and making real-world connections to content. I have found that helping students to understand the "why" behind the learning helps them to be more engaged in their personal education journey. By instituting a culture of mutual respect, I am able to set up my classroom in such a way that students are encouraged to be themselves - where student differences are encouraged and celebrated.

Nelson Mandela said, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world," and I believe it. Today's students will be the leaders of tomorrow - leaders who can affect major change in business, trade, policy, relations with other nations, and day-to-day living. And I have a part to play in how they develop! What a thought! When asked why I teach, the only answer is, "I teach because it is my calling...and it matters." Seeing my students learn something new, reach their goals, or come to a new level of understanding about a concept is a highlight of my work and makes the entire process worthwhile.

A teacher friend of mine once said that "teachers are in the business of human beings" and that is all truth. Above all, it is my hope to raise up human beings who are strong in character, open to new opportunities, and have a desire to learn and grow. At that end of the day, I consider that success in education.