Introduction
Being reared by a single mother with only a tenth grade education, I can say that it was my mother who influenced me along the paths that I have taken in life. Throughout my primary school years, I struggled academically. In order to ease my educational hardships, I was placed in Chapter I classes. These classes were implemented to help lower achievers stay focused academically and socially. Upon entering middle school, I was mainstreamed into regular education classes. It was my sixth grade science teacher, Mrs. Simmons, who sparked my curiosity in the field of science. She was the teacher that I yearned for as a child. It was the way she explained difficult concepts using a hands-on approach when teaching science to all of her students that I particularly enjoyed. I can remember having to remain in class during break time and after school just to complete assignments for Mrs. Simmons. She was always determined to make sure that all of her students felt successful in her science class.
The yearning to become a teacher seemed to evolve from the paths that I traveled throughout my life. My mother embedded in me the importance of developing a thirst for knowledge, and to work towards getting a quality education. In fact, my most memorable recollections are of times when "teachable" moments took place right at home. Spelling tests, oral book reports, current event discussions, lectures, etc. often occurred around our kitchen table. I grew up realizing that education truly started at home. Though I lived in a single parent home, I grew up with a parent who cared and made me try my best at whatever I was doing. I've never forgotten this, and how important this continues to be in my life. I feel that my life could have easily been like so many of my students: no real guidance or support, no one to teach the value of hard work and determination, or no one to encourage and cheer for you. These things are a few of the essentials that a teacher must be willing to provide to promote student success. I know that I have a lot of love and encouragement to give my students and that teaching is my gift.
Finally, my approach to teaching is not wrought from formal coursework in pedagogical technique, but rather by my own experiences. Like most educators, I have learned that a teacher can make the critical difference in how a child is perceived. I have been fortunate to have had excellent teachers, like Mrs. Simmons, throughout my academic development. I hope to be remembered by my students as a teacher who ignited an interest in science beyond the confines of the classroom.
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