I was inspired to become a teacher very late in my undergraduate career, which is amusing to me since I was always involved mentoring and teaching even at a young age. It should have been what I wanted to do all along since it’s what I have been doing but without realizing it.
For me, my experiences with teaching all began with breakdancing, which is a hobby I picked up when I was fourteen years old. This art form has taught me how to discipline myself and affected and influenced many other aspects of my life. I have been able to travel different areas of the United States to compete and meet with all different dancers from around the world. It has allowed me to develop as a person and build self-confidence. I was also involved in developing
…show more content…
This cultural movement was created from nothing and has granted those with no voice a way to articulate themselves. The disenfranchised youth from the inner-cities face a variety of problems - I should know; I was one of them at one point in my life. In fact, one of the many obstacles that inner-city youth face is an inability express and find themselves and so they are automatically at a disadvantage. I found this to hold true for myself and my peers when I attended school at Claremont Academy, a Level 3 inner-city school in Worcester, MA. My peers and I were economically disadvantaged, and some students’ first language was not English. I have faced these obstacles and more, but despite that, and with the help of a combination of mentors and teachers, I was able to succeed and pursue college. I would have never thought that college was an option growing up.
In college, my experience at the YES clubhouse was rewarding. There, I mentored and tutored students from Newark, Ohio. Many of the students are living in poverty and have complicated home lives. Through this experience, I have learned the need to be patient while working with children. I also had to be more assertive because of behavioral problems. I realize that all students need motivation, encouragement, and mentorship and someone that will believe in