A Student’s Essay on Purpose, Passion, and Becoming an Educator
Any profession in the education field is highly valuable to society. While communities may not realize the impact and importance of quality educators and administrators, a positive academic experience as well as thoughtful social interactions are crucial for a student’s development into a contributing member of their community. I feel the call to become an educator in an elementary environment for several reasons, perhaps most of all for the benefit of the students.
One of the reasons I am interested in this position of an elementary teacher is because throughout my academic years in elementary school, middle school and high school, I have been fortunate to have genuine and compassionate adults who are committed to both my education and my growth as an individual in the community. These influential figures have inspired me to give back to my community through the education of others, and I look forward to being able to extend that same compassion, patience and respect to other individuals through my work as an educator.
A second reason I am interested in becoming an elementary teacher is because currently, there are not enough teachers available for the growing number of children going through the education system. Therefore, the class sizes in elementary schools are too large, and students are not receiving a quality education. By entering into the education system as a teacher, I will be adding to the workforce. I understand that I am just one person, but I feel that I can make a difference even if it's only for the 25 to 30 students in my classroom. Additionally, I can encourage others to become educators as well by advocating for education through my positive experiences that I have had throughout my personal academic career, and by what I have observed from other educators and their careers.
Above all, I am excited to work as an elementary educator because of my enjoyment of working with young children. Through both volunteer and work experiences, I’ve had several opportunities to interact with children. I no longer go to work with dread, but rather I look forward to working with the students because of how personally rewarding it is. For example, through these experiences, I have been able to develop my abilities and techniques when working with students, as well as deepen my understanding of how children learn and grow. When it comes to a child’s social, physical, and cognitive development, a majority of their personal growth occurs in the classroom. This is why it is vital to have dedicated teachers who are committed to the betterment of their students and the enrichment of their development through both positive academic experiences and social interactions.
To summarize, the education and development of the next generation of learners is more valuable than one might perceive. From personal experiences, establishing relationships through genuine interactions, as well as having influential teachers who encourage students to push themselves academically is highly important for a child’s growth into an adult. While there is an increasing issue of a lack of educators in ratio to the growth in numbers of students, all problems can be resolved to an extent through the work and dedication of a community. Children are our future, and I look forward to being a genuine influence in their lives and helping them become their best selves.
By: Z.C. CPHS graduate and current UMD student
