Personal Goals

When I earned my Bachelor's I achieved a huge goal of mine. Part of me was always worried I wouldn't make it. I was considered a first generation college student and had been told so many times that it would be more difficult for me. I guess a part of me always felt that was true or that it meant I was doomed. I refused to believe I had a degree until I received it in the mail, afraid some crazy event had ruined my moment. Even now sometimes I am surprised by the fact I have a degree and am almost finished with my masters. Now, I want to be an example of proof that you can do it. 

I have met kids that come from various backgrounds and feel they can't do something. Or even have made a mistake or are having an issue that seems like it has ruined their future. I try to understand. I actually did drop out of high school mid way through a fall semester. I didn't go back till the following fall. When I went back, I had a goal to graduate, on time, and graduate with honors. I managed to graduate with 30 college credit hours and 4.3+ GPA. At the time, I didn't realize the significance. I was just glad to have finished. But now, after meeting how many kids who have dropped out and not returned or have just given up, I realize how lucky I was to have someone in my life who cares. I strive to be a person like that for my kids. I want to be a supporter in their lives, especially for those who don't receive support from the people they are supposed to receive support from. I was fortunate my parents pushed me. I have no idea what I would have done if I hadn't gone back. One decision changed my entire life.

Professional Goals

Earning a masters has been a goal of mine since deciding to go into education. I felt like it was extra necessary as well since my undergraduate was not in education. A masters degree was something that could teach me quite a lot about my career. We learn quite a lot from experience. And we know the content rather well, but when it comes to techniques or pedagogy, we have to always be willing to learn and adapt. Our students are ever changing. I feel that learning more from these classes, I reduce the incidences in my class while also making sounder connections to the students. I am a firm believer we aren't just teaching the students our field of content, but also how to be decent human beings. And frankly, the latter is more universally important than specific content areas. Of course, we teach our standards and the information deemed necessary, but the information that sticks with them isn't necessarily a theme from a book or a specific math equation (career choice not withstanding), it's the behaviors and life lessons they learn through their experiences. I aim to create a comfortable classroom environment that not only fosters academic success but life success. It's big and bold, especially for a health teacher at a random WV high school. But I hope even if it just helps a few kids, then that's what really matters.

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