Why Education?

As a little girl I would always play school. I would be the teacher and I would always act like my dolls were my students. My joy for teaching never really changed as I got older. I was fortunate to have very good teachers throughout my academic career. An event that really touched me and continued to value my love for teaching was my 12th grade english teacher, Mr. Schmidt. Not only was he an awesome teacher, but he believed in his students and encouraged their goals. I was 18 years old and I was in my last tri-mester of my last year in high school. The fact that he took the time to actually sit down with me and talk about anything whether it was school work or if I was having a rough time outside of school, it showed he cared. He always said you will be a great teacher someday I have no doubts about it. He was truley someone to look up to. I always thought that I would like to be the same someday, and be a role model for my students. I have had many events that have lead me to my major. Another one would be cadet teaching my senior year and I was 18. I had a child with autism that I got to work with in the classroom. He was left out of some activities that the rest of his peers got to enjoy. Sometimes he would not be in the classroom but and hour a day. I really focused my attention on him cause he had so much potential. When others started to notice some improvement he was showing, I felt like I was really helping him and he was benefiting from the time we spent working together. I think the feeling of acomplishment in anything thing you do just drives you to keep going. That is why I decided to be an elementary education major because I like the feeling that I am making a difference in someones life.