Why Teach?

For my elementary schooling, I was homeschooled. My parents were very religious and I think their primary objective was to keep my sister and I safe. As a new parent I can empathize with the phrase, we do what we think is best. At that time, I think they were doing their best. My first year as a public-school student was 4^th grade. I was in a 4^th/5^th combo class and had a few phenomenal teachers. One in particular was our social studies teacher. He made learning interactive and fun. I remember being engaged and challenged in his class. We had projects that were creative and brought history to life, specifically the Gold Rush. He changed the course of my perception of history. Since then, History classes have been boring and mostly learning how to memorize dates. Though based on my previous experience, I know History can come alive. This is why I want to be a Social Studies teacher so that I can inspire even one student to have a fun experience with history and not be bored. Teaching also runs in my family, my grandmother was a professor, my mother an elementary school teacher and piano teacher, my aunt a high school math and science teacher, and now even my mother in-law is a 3^rd grade teacher. Teaching is all around me and I view the profession as an honor to be able to share knowledge and ideas with young minds.

            Like I mentioned I want to inspire and make history come alive for students. I’d like to teach 4^th or 5^th grade social studies primarily. I think setting the tone that history can be fun is really important to me. I am passionate about the founding of America, state history, and geography. I actually really enjoy political geography, but I do not think that is 4^th/5^th grade level requirements. I would like to teach in a private school setting because that is what I am familiar with mostly and the type of environment I would feel comfortable in. If for whatever reason teaching social studies is not an option, I also love literature. I love analyzing stories, finding themes, and discussing characters. There’s nothing more satisfying than getting immersed in a story.  So alternatively, to social studies a middle school English teacher. The idea of being a teacher excites me, I know it will be challenging, but that is why I want to be a teacher. This profession is not meant for just anyone. I want my daughter to grow up in a world where education is valued and school is less about how well you did on a test, but what did you learn and how to apply that in life.