I had an assignment in my current education class to write a paper on why I wanted to become a teacher.  It was an interesting journey for me to look back at decisions I've made. Once again I'm going to post an essay written for school.  I put my heart into my writing and want to share my feelings. 

Becoming a Teacher

My journey to become a teacher has been long and sometimes difficult. As a child, I was always playing with dolls and nurturing them, making sure they were comfortable and safe. I would also play ‘school’ with them. With my little chalkboard, I would teach my dolls math and English lessons. My play always seemed to involve either being a mommy or a teacher. This was fine with my parents, as becoming a nurse or a teacher were their only suggested career choices for me.

I had a difficult childhood filled with anxiety and emotional abuse.  I did not participate in many extra-curricular activities because when I did decide to try out for a dance group or for the school choir, my parents would say as I left the house, “Don’t get your hopes up, you’ll never make it.” By high school I did not try for anything anymore. I married very young, 18 years old, anxious to move away from my parents, but not feeling as if I could live on my own. Soon after this, I signed up to be a student at Salt Lake community college. Feeling lost and unsure, I looked through the course catalog. There was a new program being offered called early childhood development. I did not know what I wanted to do, but I liked children and to be honest, it sounded easier than any other program offered. My parents were disappointed with my choice, telling me I was too smart to ‘just’ be a daycare worker, as they saw it. I did well in the program and discovered the correct way to raise a child and fill them with positive self-worth.

 Two years later I graduated with honors and received an associate degree. I wanted to move forward and work towards a bachelor degree, but I was filled with doubt again and convinced myself that getting a bachelor degree would be too difficult for me, even though I graduated with honors. As my parents kept telling me, Salt Lake community college was not a ‘real’ college. I was offered a job as a teacher in the five year old class at the college’s lab school. I did well, and focused on the social and emotional well-being of the children in my class. I worked for Head Start in the Seattle area and was excited to know I was making a difference in the lives of the children in my class. After eight years of marriage, I had a child of my own and chose to stay home with her as well as my other children when they were born. I was determined my children would have a happy childhood, guarding their self-esteem as the most precious thing a person can lose. I felt confident as a mom of very young children, but I was nervous for when they became school age children. Would I still know how to raise them? I discovered that I thoroughly enjoyed every age and developmental stage as they came. I volunteered in their elementary classrooms and was surprised to find I enjoyed working with older children.

After 23 years of marriage I found myself divorced and raising four children alone. I was hired again at the community college’s lab school. Being on my own raising children I realized I would need a better job that had benefits and a retirement plan. This time I had no question, I wanted to be an elementary school teacher. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed and too old to begin a career in education, but my love for children and the belief that all children deserve a quality education, keeps me going.

My philosophy in education is a child centered, but academically challenging classroom. I want all children to feel safe and cared for. I want to make a positive difference to a child in need. With all the core requirements that must be taught, it is my goal to continually make social and emotional health a constant part of learning. I love learning and going to school and will always be on the lookout for educational opportunities to stay current and relevant in my teaching.

The only real regret I have in my life is that I did not complete my bachelor degree when I was 20 years old. My lack of self-esteem held me back. I will fight for children and their beautiful self-worth so they will know they are capable of anything.