Why I Want to Be a Teacher

When I was in high school, I did not know what I wanted to do for a living. I enrolled in

different classes in high school to see what I liked. I soon realized that I like working with kids. I

coached and volunteered at summer camps; I enjoyed working with and teaching kids. I realized

that I wanted to be a teacher. I decided about two months before I graduated high school to go to

Dakota State University and pursue a degree in mathematics education. I started down the path

of mathematics education my first year but decided that math was not for me. Over the summer

and into the second year of college, I decided to pursue a degree in elementary education. The

main reason I chose teaching is because I want to be a positive role model and make an impact

on students lives.

I have had many influences to lead me to a teaching profession. As I mentioned before, I

have coached and volunteered at summer camps, giving me the chance to work with kids. I

enjoyed teaching them and have them reach goals that they can use on the field, on the court, and

in life. There have been wonderful teachers in high school that have influenced me. My teachers

pushed me and encouraged me to be the best I can be. They made sure I worked hard every day

and seemed to have fun while teaching. You could tell that they loved teaching, they had energy

and passion. Interacting with students is what I am looking forward to. Building positive

relationships with your students is important, and it is how you get students to trust you and how

you can build trust with your students. I am also looking forward to different challenges and

obstacles while I teach. I am always up for a challenge; examples would be: trying new ways to

teach, working with students who are struggling, and working with new and different teachers. I

may dislike having to correct homework or even giving out homework to students. Late nights

correcting assignments may not be my favorite thing while teaching. Giving out homework will

most likely just create more papers to grade for myself. Dealing with parent and student
conflicts is another thing I may not enjoy. If parents are concerned about their child, they may

come to me first. I want a positive relationship with the student as well as the parents too.

I believe my instruction will be more student centered, giving students more ways to get

involved. More hands-on projects can be used and incorporated into the curriculum, and I want

students to be active learners. I will relate to the students by encouraging them to be their best

and to reach goals. If they have someone who is encouraging them to work hard and to reach a

certain goal, then I think they will do their best. I will need to be organized to keep things abreast

in teaching. If you have the right plan and organizational pattern to something, everything will be

equal and easy going in the classroom. The philosophy I will model is constructivism. It focuses

learning to be problem based, and personalizes learning. I will introduce diverse learning

activities that will develop personal meaning for the student. I am looking forward to teaching.

Being able to work with kids, having them reach goals, and having an impact on them is why I

want to be a teacher.