Why Teaching?
Nothing is more rewarding to me than witnessing the joy that emanates from a child that is proud of him or herself. This is even more gratifying when I have a personal relationship with the child and have been a part of their growth and development. A baby taking their first steps, a three-year-old riding a two wheel bike for the first time, and a kindergartener learning to read – these are just a few monumental, joy-filled moments that I have had the privilege of being a part of throughout the course of my 26 years of life. These moments have made an impact on me, and have rooted within me the desire to have a career in which I can continue to be positively impacted by others and also be an inspiration. This is why I am certain that God is calling me to teaching. As an educator, I have the opportunity to choose daily to be a light to others while learning and growing with my students.
My elementary school years started off with a bang. My first day of Kindergarten was on my sixth birthday, and it was also my teacher’s birthday! I had the sweetest teachers through elementary and as a young girl, I always thought to myself, “I want to be just like her someday!” My teachers would have me help my classmates with their work if I finished mine early, and I loved to hear my peers say, “That makes so much more sense now!” It gave me hope that someday my dream of being like my elementary teachers would one day come true. In fifth grade, I had a teacher that really challenged me and pushed me out of my comfort zone. At first I didn’t like this teacher because he made me feel so uncomfortable, but midway through the school year I developed an appreciation for his efforts. I realized that I was learning things about myself and going places with my education that I never dared go before. I began to understand why my education is important and I started taking it more seriously, but my teacher made it fun and exciting. I noticed that not all of my classmates were feeling the same way that I was and this really bothered me. I continued to see this trend all the way through high school, and the kids that were feeling burnt out back in fifth grade were completely uninterested in their education by the time senior year of high school came around. As a senior in high school, I decided that I would become a teacher, and I made it my goal to keep the elementary students engaged so that they would not give up on themselves when they are older. Another reason I want to teach is because I love working with children and young students. Their curiosity and the lenses through which they look at life inspire me! They remind me to enjoy this life’s adventure and to continue to learn the whole way through. I currently teach kindergarten at Borculo Christian School. Every day, I have the chance to be a positive influence in the lives of my students. While they are teaching me so many things about life, I also get to teach them how to be intentional participants in God's Kingdom while we are learning and growing together. By example, I can show them how they should speak to others, make healthy choices, and use kind words. It is exciting that I can teach my students about reading, writing, and mathematics, as well as life lessons that will help them develop their character and find who God created them to be. Many of the children I work with and have worked with in the past come from families with parents that are very involved and concerned with their child’s development. But there are also several children that do not have a good influence at home. This is true for many of the students in our school systems today. Many parents are busy with their jobs or they are struggling to make ends meet, and their children may unintentionally become neglected. As an educator, I get to be there for my students every single day. I want to be the constant encourager, supporter, and positive influence in their life. I want all of my students to feel loved the way I have always been loved by my parents and teachers. My vocation as a teacher allows me to love on my students and give hope to the children that are the future of our world while I am educating them. A quality, Christ-centered education is crucial for being an active participant in our communities, and I want to provide children with the tools they need to function and thrive in today’s society. I could not be more certain of my calling to teaching because of my love for students. I cherish the joy that they bring through their excitement in their achievements. My desire for all children to feel important and valued helps me to build a classroom environment that is welcoming and comfortable for every single one of my students. My past education and my current experiences have led me to the thrilling, yet challenging future of being an educator. |