Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa and fighter of his beliefs, once said “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” (Address by Nelson Mandela at launch of Mindset Network, Johannesburg). Changing the world is what educators have the power to do; one reason I am interested in becoming a teacher, a reason which many of my colleagues also share. Another reason I have an interest in becoming an elementary teacher is because ever since Kindergarten, it has always been something I have wanted to call myself. In second grade, I would pretend to play teacher. In middle school, I started helping my friends with school subjects they struggled with and got a rush of excitement when I was able to help …show more content…
The first organization I joined was the Education Minnesota Student Association. I have been a member of the organization since 2016, going as often as I get the chance. Because I received my Associate of Arts degree through College in the Schools, I knew my freshman year would be the only year I had to gain experience before entering the Integrated Elementary and Education Blocks program. In the 16-17 school year, I also took part in She’s the First, an organization dedicated to helping raise funds for a girl in a third world country to go to school, for the first half of the school year, and Partners in Education, a program combined of the Great Lakes Aquarium, Minnesota Sea Grant, and UMD that allows educators to teach a lesson about Lake Superior to surrounding elementary schools, the second half of the year. All three extracurriculars have given me astounding chances to learn about teaching, taking care of children, and going into schools to put my learning to the test. Through these experiences, as well as the education department has provided, such as observing classrooms in action, I have developed my philosophy I want to follow as I become a