If someone would have asked me when I was five years old what I wanted to be when I grew up I would’ve told them, without any hesitation, that I wanted to be a teacher. I vividly remember playing school with my friends in the small apartment that I lived in. I would set my living room up as a classroom, where I used kitchen chairs and trays for desks, a chalkboard, and a Barbie notebook for my grades and assignments. I would give each of my friends’ homework to do that I expected them to come back with the next time we played. I think it is safe to say that my determination, strong-will, and motivation started at a young age. Unfortunately for me, I lost sight of that dream and in high school decided I wanted to go into law. I wanted to fight for people that had been wronged. I wanted to make a difference in our justice system and in people’s lives. I applied for school as a Justice Studies major with a double concentration in Justice Systems and Paralegal Studies and in my junior year, I added a certificate for Child Advocacy and Policy. That same year I began my employment for the YWCA of Bergen County as a recreational counselor for the before and after school programs. It was there that I remembered all the things I used to love …show more content…
Specific instances come to mind. In my high school career, I had one teacher who demonstrated ideal democratic values and principles in the classroom. Every student had the power to exercise his or her voice. The class worked together for the welfare of each student. Open discussions were mandatory and no one student felt uncomfortable speaking on behalf of the class or on behalf of themselves. By laying a foundation from the beginning of the school year and being consistent throughout, the teacher made the classroom environment conducive to learning and an enjoyable experience for everyone at the same