Home

……………………………………

My first year of teacher education has changed my perspective on becoming an educator. I am now, more than ever, certain that this career path is what I want to do in the next stage of my life. Taking these few, beginning courses into what being a teacher entails has inspired me; it has shown me how much I can truly influence children and possibly be an inspiration on them as well.  

I originally entered into the college of education due to my experiences as a dance instructor years before. I loved to see the children improve and learn; they were curious and energetic which made me excited to go to work everyday. Hence becoming a teacher, I foresee myself loving my job and excited to go to work, which is more than most people can say about their jobs these days. Now, actually being in the educational program and doing the work, learning about the profession I am reassured that this is exactly how I want to be spending my life. 

My first year as a university student has been an adjustment but the largest learning curve was all the group work that I have had the pleasure of being a part of. This year is the first time in my life as a student in which I have thoroughly enjoyed working on group projects. Everyone for once equally participated and honestly cared to do well. This has been a good new experience as I have gained a new perspective on how others view the profession and how they have experienced it. As well in these groups, it’s been a good experience of how to work with colleagues and has made me realize how much this profession truly relies on collaboration as well with how beneficial and resourceful colleague collaboration is. Continuing to learn about the profession itself, this year is the first time I learned  some about the inner workings of the teaching profession. Up until this year I was unaware that the SPTRB existed. As well, I was unaware at how helpful the SFT will be as a new teacher, for helping with resources and navigating the first couple of years. It has been a whole year of constant new information of how the profession is structured, who the bosses are, who is there to help and how to access the basic materials, resources and curricula that I will become familiar with over the next years of my life. 

I find myself starting to think more like an educator and an instructor more so as the year has passed. I realize now the benefit of the exercises my teachers have done in the past; how they have helped me learn the material and how they helped me reach the outcome in order to ultimately graduate high school. I now analyze everything I am taught in my classes and evaluate how I would present the same materials to my class in the future and any changes or adaptations I would make if I was teaching the outcomes. This has been a huge shift in thinking for me and I think one of the largest steps to truly becoming a teacher with a growing mindset. I want to be able to adapt my lesson plan to different types of students, and differentiate in a way that works for them. This ultimately I believe marks the beginning of having a growth mindset, which is ever important in this profession and something that educators strive to establish. This also excited me about the profession, not only will I be able to share my curiosity to learn, I’ll be able to watch my students grow and develop new ways of thinking and new mindsets. Being able to watch students learn and hopefully become excited about learning is ultimately why I plan to become an educator.