Why I Want to Teach

Why Teach?
I want to be a teacher because I am passionate about literature. I love sharing it with others. I want to be a teacher because I am passionate about learning and as a teacher you are constantly learning. Kristen Brummel, the Teacher of the Year for the state of Hawai’i, said in her speech that she was “amazed daily by the insightful ideas that {her} children have and by the questions that they ask about the world around them.” (CCSSO, 2011a) I think that children are so open minded and so able to think creatively, they see connections that adults are no longer able to see.
I was not really inspired to be a teacher, just like Gingerlei Uili, I think that “teaching chose me.” (CCSSO, 2011b) Before my children were born I was a waitress and a bartender. Although I loved my job the hours were not good for a single mother. I decided to stop paying other people to watch my children. Taking a huge pay cut, I found a job that blessed my family. I took a job at a daycare as a lifeguard and after a short time became the Arts & Crafts director. Then when they needed a person to teach the half-day kindergarten, I filled that need. It turned out that I loved it and that I was great at it too!
At first I intended to teach elementary school, like my older sister. I began the elementary education program at my community college and discovered that I did not prefer the elementary level. Elementary level students are not able to discuss the connections between Austen’s Emma and Heckerling’s Clueless. I love young children, but I enjoy teaching the older children more, because as Cheryl Conley the Teacher of the Year for Florida stated “it’s not the answer that enlightens, it’s the question.” (CCSSO, 2011c) Older students are able to find the hidden questions to any answer.
Just like these three State Teachers of the Year, I possess passion, wonder and devotion to educating young children. I want to “change lives” and through the children I teach, “change the world” just like Cheryl Conley (CCSSO, 2011c). I am a natural teacher, enthusiastic about learning and passionate about sharing my learning with others. I look forward to completing my degree and beginning my career.

References
CCSSO (2011a). Kristen Brummel [Video file]. Retrieved from The Council of Chief State School Officers Teachers of the Year website: http://www.pearsonfoundation.org/ccsso-toy/
CCSSO (2011b). Gingerlei Uili [Video file]. Retrieved from The Council of Chief State School Officers Teachers of the Year website: http://www.pearsonfoundation.org/ccsso-toy/
CCSSO (2011c). Cheryl Conley [Video file]. Retrieved from The Council of Chief State School Officers Teachers of the Year website: http://www.pearsonfoundation.org/ccsso-toy/

References: CCSSO (2011a). Kristen Brummel [Video file]. Retrieved from The Council of Chief State School Officers Teachers of the Year website: http://www.pearsonfoundation.org/ccsso-toy/ CCSSO (2011b). Gingerlei Uili [Video file]. Retrieved from The Council of Chief State School Officers Teachers of the Year website: http://www.pearsonfoundation.org/ccsso-toy/ CCSSO (2011c). Cheryl Conley [Video file]. Retrieved from The Council of Chief State School Officers Teachers of the Year website: http://www.pearsonfoundation.org/ccsso-toy/