Why do you want to be a teacher? Needing money for school I wrote many papers for scholarships. The majority of the time they just wanted to know why I wanted to be a teacher. I wish I had the copies of submissions I turned in over the years because the "why" has evolved over the years.
At first, I needed a major for my financial aid. I always played school as a kid and loved taking role. I would make up a bunch of names, write them on a piece of paper and call out names to see who was in my class for the day. "Here!" was the most common cheerful response, however there was the occasional, "Present!" or just silence to indicate that student was absent. Elementary education sounded like a doable major.
As time went by and I started taking education classes, I realized teaching would be great. I'd get summers off and all vacations with my daughter. Score! When I started my first practicum in Eugene, I saw teaching as something more. Something I could do to make the world a better place for my daughter. After all, she would grow up to inhabit the world with all of the other kids. They needed someone to inspire them to greatness!
My first week in my practicum was the week before school started. I wanted the room to look magical for these little 1st graders. I was so excited making copies, sorting books, helping the teacher and making paper fish to hang from the ceiling. The first day of school came quickly and I was shocked when the kids arrived. Most of them had no idea how they were going to pay for lunch so they asked multiple times when lunch was. They also told me they didn't have money to buy food. Their little minds were full of wonder...wondering how they were going to get food that day. After lunch, they asked multiple times how they were getting home. Again, their minds were full of wonder...wondering how they would get home.
I realized that there was much more to teaching than sorting books, decorating the room and taking role. I realized the human side to teaching. The need was great and I pictured my own daughter in the faces of these kids. I could never send her to school not knowing if she would be able to eat or wondering how she would get home at the end of the day. It occurred to me that these kids were just like my daughter and that someday I would be trusting and depending on someone else-many someone else's- to watch over, take care of, and teach my girl in my absence.
From that moment on, I would teach every child as I wanted my daughter to be taught. This personal oath I took many years ago still rings true to this day. When I no longer think this way will be the day I need to retire. Every child deserves the very best every single day.
