A large group of students in the United States makeup a large population of English language learners. Students who are considered English language learners undergo many challenges in their education, and without the necessary support and resources from their educators it can make it hard for them to succeed. A teacher plays a significant role in the success of a child, and it is crucial for them to be able to provide the proper education to students whose first language is not English. It is also very important for teachers to understand the challenges that these students are facing. Having empathy towards the students allows for the teacher to create better connections and relationships to better help them.
When choosing to become a Special Education teacher a decisive decision needs be in place with regards to which desired grade levels the teacher will teach. Regular Education teachers can choose a specific grade level, whereas Special Education teachers must choose multiple grade levels such as: Kindergartern-5th, 6th-8th grade, and 9th-12th grade. The desired grade levels that I have chosen as a Special Education teacher is Kindergarten-5th grade. When the grade level is chosen then the special education teacher will then move into a Resource Room; which is geared towards helping special education students meet their goals on their IEP’s (Individual Education Program).
In the workforce, there are a lot of different aspects to take account for, there are the financial, management, planning, skills, work habits, labor issues, technology, and health/safety. Each job; no matter where you go will have these exact angles of the job. Being a teacher is a perfect example that symbolizes these traits of a job. A teacher is not just guiding students at the right path to success; it’s about the planning, working together with the other teacher in your grade, or subject. It’s about managing and keeping the students safe at all times.
Being a teacher may not look hard but it sure can be. According to Mrs. Munguia a teacher who teaches success 101, sophomore English, and AP psychology, “All things considered its rewarding, but the its stressful and a little tiring at times.” The interview started with a basic opening up question, asking her why she wanted to become a teacher. She replied like every great teacher should with, “I’ve always enjoyed working with young people.
This class was interesting as it was the first time I taught about when I would actually be teaching in the school. It became a bit more real when we were discussing what kinds of activists we would do when we are in the classroom and what challenges we might face. To be an effective teacher, there will always be some challenges. One challenge is to be responsive to students feelings and to our own feelings, as students may say things that I might not like and I don't want a classroom full of conflict.
I selected the Road to Teaching because I have always enjoyed working and teaching children. I currently own my own in-home daycare and my background includes working as a pre-school teacher as well as mentoring teenagers. Teaching children is something that comes natural to me and it gives me great joy. I enjoy seeing children that I taught years ago growing into young adults. I have kept in touch with many children and their families and the relationship we share is very rewarding.
Teachers have the potential of being the most influential person in the classroom. In order to influence the students, a teacher should be accessible so the students feel free to engage you on any topic. Students who walk in the classroom without desiring to know what you are going to say and do are the least motivated students. Something important to focus on is to use different instruction or teaching strategies that are better for different students' needs since not every student is at the same level. Every student learns a different way, so being able to recognize how a student learns and becomes motivated to learn is a very important thing in becoming a teacher.
This experience has shown me that there is so much more than just standing in front of a classroom and teaching students. As a teacher your contract hours may consist of 35 hours a week, but your actual hours are more like 60 hours a week. As a teacher you not only teach, you also attend meetings, hold parent conference meetings, grade papers, create lesson plans, act as a role model for all of your students, help with curriculum nights, assist on different teams and committees and a multitude of other duties. This service learning experience has better prepared me to become a teacher. I now know how I want to run my own classroom, how to incorporate engaging activities into my lessons, how to control a classroom, and several other teaching
Behind every teacher is an inspirational background story that has formed the basis of their career choice. My story evolved during my freshman year of high school. Throughout my schooling, I struggled at finding my niche and place of belonging. Thankfully, this personal hardship abruptly ended upon my enrollment in a Family and Consumer Sciences course. That class, along with FCCLA, paved the foundation for my future and provided me with direction.
Growing up I always aspired to be a teacher. I would congregate all of the stuffed animals and baby dolls I owned, making them ‘pay attention’ as I scribbled nonsense on one of my many white boards. My toys soon turned into my actual pets staring at me blankly and then into my friends, family, and anyone who would listen. I loved the idea of spreading thoughts, love, lessons, and ideas with those around me, even at the age of six.
As a learner, the most salient dimensions of learning for me is are the evolution of knowledge and technology, not to be afraid to ask questions and be open to different views. One of the most positive outcomes is a commitment to “radical openness,” the will to explore different perspectives and change one’s mind as new information is presented (hooks, 2003, p. 48). Understanding that there are always more sides to a story just like there can be many solutions to a problem is key to better prepare these students. Entering graduate school and then becoming a teacher, it will be important for me to maintain this openness for each student. To know that each student is different and have a classroom full of them, will be a process to maintain such openness.
The teachers, being the focal figure in education, must be competent and knowledgeable in order to impart the knowledge they could give to their students. Good teaching is a very personal manner. Effective teaching is concerned with the student as a person and with his general development. The teacher must recognize individual differences among his/her students and adjust instructions that best suit to the learners. It is always a fact that as educators, we play varied and vital roles in the classroom.
My goal of teaching is to help students learn to appreciate the beauty of mathematics and to develop the ability to analyze and then solve problems. It is critical for studying mathematics to understand the profound ideas hiding behind the concepts and theories. I try to illustrate the original ideas such as how mathematicians think and solve problems. Also, a successful classroom consists of enthusiastic students ready to participate in discussions. The students should feel always comfortable in asking questions whenever having confusion or comments.
I did not know I wanted to become a teacher until I had my eleventh grade chemistry class. Until then, my motivation to do my best in school was non-existent. As a student with an IEP, it was recommended that I did not take the course. This teacher was passionate and never gave up in trying to help me. She inspired me to become a teacher, which I did after graduating from SUNY Geneseo and teaching for the past four years.
I want to teach because I desire to make an impact not only in the field of education, but also in a child’s life. Without an education our future generations will be going downhill as productive members of society, and that is why a teacher’s role in society is crucial. I want to teach because I want to revamp how everyone sees learning- I aspire to make learning exciting. As a teacher, I aim to be an inspiration for my students, but also for future teachers, for the reason that teachers have the capability of collectively, and individually, changing the world.
