Education has always been a passion of mine, from teaching my sisters in our makeshift “schoolroom” as children, to beginning real clinical experiences. One prominent moment occurred as I was cadet teaching in a kindergarten classroom my senior year of high school. I vividly remember the overwhelming excitement I felt when my students, who could not even write their names at the beginning of the year, composed goodbye letters for me on the last day of school. Seeing them come bounding towards me as I entered the room saying “Ms. Yager look what I wrote for you” had me smiling from ear to ear. This simple act validated the love and passion I have for teaching, and in that moment I knew there was nothing else I could consider for my career. This has continued to remain true through the many years and various teaching experiences I have enjoyed throughout my time at Truman State University. These experiences have only multiplied my passion for teaching. Having served on the Student Missouri State Teachers Association (SMSTA) executive board for the past two years, I have attained a plethora of information related to diversity, differentiation, classroom …show more content…
Speaking with both delinquent youth and their families on a daily basis, a skill which will carry over well into any classroom, has given me a new understanding of the struggles many of these students face within in their homes and communities each day. The youth I encounter with this job are often “back row students”, whom parents and teachers alike were unable to reach. My over 280 hours of experience and counting with these students give me an enhanced understanding of how to reach them. It is always my goal to reach each and every one of my students, and understanding the many aspects that affect the ability of students to learn has left me better prepared to face them