1.Why do you want to be a teacher?
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Being a teacher means that I can make a difference in children's lives. I want to be a teacher because I believe that I can be that difference and hopefully make a positive impact in the education system. I want children to have a lifelong love of learning and by being a teacher I can model that love.
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2. Why do you want to teach?
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I Want to teach because I know that I have the personal qualities and education to help me be the best that I can be. I love working with children and helping them discover the world. I also want to teach because I want to see others succeed. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing a child grow and learn and take pride in their own learning.
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3. Why do you want to teach children
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The early years of a person's life are the most vital for development, learning and the formation of the person that they will become. By being a positive presence in the classroom I hope that I can help shape children's values as well as their development. I want to help children reach their full potential and instill resilience and passion for what they love to do. I want children to know that they are cared for and that they all can succeed and make a difference in the future.
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4.How do you know that being a teacher is what you really want to do?
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I spent most of my early twenties trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my future. I had always had a passion to teach and work with children, but I had never acted upon it before trying out children education courses at Ryerson university. I instantly knew that teaching was what I wanted when I entered my first day of placement in a kindergarten classroom and it felt right. I cared about what I was learning about children's education and was eager to implement it in the classroom setting. Even now about 5 years later I still feel THAT teaching is something I was meant to do. Studying to be an early childhood educator was my big "AHA" moment.
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5. What is it about teaching that leads you to believe you are suited to be a teacher?
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Teaching is not just about following curriculum and try to get children to learn concepts. It is about building trust and relationships with the students and showing them the positive side of learning. I care about students and want them to succeed. I believe that caring about children as well as teaching them skills to be resilient and goal set are the most important things I can do as an educator. I also think that teaching is about working as a team with children and is a guiding process as children learn to become independent. I know that I am capable of fitting the role of the guide and I want children to take charge of their own learning.
6. What activities/experiences/conversations on your practicum day confirm your decision to be a teacher?
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I think that my experience of being in a classroom and feeling comfortable on my practicum day really helped to confirm my decision to become a teacher. All of the children welcomed me and having them treat me as their new teacher made me truly realize that I am their teacher. The confidence that my AT had for me to begin teaching also helped me to confirm my decision to be a teacher. Her enthusiasm at having me in the classroom really set the stage for our relationship and how she would mentor me as I go through this practicum. I am happy knowing that I have a partner backing me up in the classroom.
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7. How or in what way did your practicum day confirm your decision to be a teacher?
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I think that the very moment I walked into the classroom was a confirmation for me that I wanted to be a teacher. There is only so much reflection one can do while learning theory and curriculum at the university but actually being with the children helped me to see why I was there in the first place. The children were so welcoming and so willing to learn and it made me feel excited to be able to teach them. I spent my first day just thinking of potential things I could do with them in the classroom and I feel ready! The children are the reason that I want to do this and I am going to miss every single one of them after this practicum.
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