Being an educator is the most challenging and fulfilling career. Not everyone can be a teacher, at least not an effective one. Some teachers can write a wonderful lesson plan, but need improvement in classroom management skills. Some teachers can control a classroom, but use limited strategies. Some teachers can find a happy median. I am not the perfect teacher, but I know what makes me a great teacher and I am aware of those areas that I need to work on in order to become better. One of my strengths as an educator is simply my desire to see my students develop mentally and academically. I enjoy learning about each student and what makes each of them unique. I then use their qualities to guide them one on one in a lesson or conversation about their “complicated” lives. My students know that I genuinely care about their wellbeing.
While education keeps me on my toes, it brings out some of my weaknesses as well. Time management is important to any career field. My students and other activities that I head at the school dominate a lot of my time. To most people, it seems like a great problem to have; however, it takes a toll on me and my family. Because of the time I invest at school and the work I bring home, I have very little to no time to spend with my two children. My weekends are spent getting ready for the upcoming week at school. There is no down time for me to relax. I am fearful that I may burn out too soon.
Through it all, I feel that I am needed in the classroom to help students learn the importance of an education in life. I have experienced many joys and pains while I was in high school, but I used every situation to become a better person. In high school, I was a straight “A” student and involved in about several organizations. Everything was on track. Then I became a mother. I stayed in school despite the fact that I was advised to drop out by my once supportive teachers and guidance counselors. I remained as active as I could in afterschool activities. My weekends were spent at work. I watched myself go through so many disappointments. I do not know where the courage came from, but I did not let what could have been a downfall stop any dreams from taking place. It’s this determination that I want to see in my students. They do not believe there is a way out of poverty because their families have seen so many generations of it. I tell them my story of poverty. Their eyes widen in disbelief. It is my life experiences that have given me the qualities I need to be successful in the education field.
