- My Beliefs - "What I OWE My Students"
- Personal Credo - "What Playing Sports Taught Me" - Shout Out! - "My Inspirational Teacher" My webquest that I made for the Gr.3 research projects: |
How my journey to becoming a teacher started...
I remember the first time that I felt the positive influence of being a teacher and a role model. I was in grade 9 and I was spending a day in our Elementary School for ‘Take Your Kid to Work Day’. I was helping my auntie in a speech therapy session, and she had explained to me that they were having problems getting a new child in the school to open up and practice his speech because he was very shy. I spent the whole morning with this child, simply playing speech games, reading books, and reciting sounds. By recess, he was clinging to my side telling me stories and making jokes as we both played with the other students on the playground. The rest of the day passed the same way, and by the last period in gym class I couldn’t believe that this was the same shy boy I had met that morning. That day’s lesson was part of a dance unit and I was that boy’s dance partner because everyone else had already paired up. When I saw the way that he danced, laughed, and high-fived, I knew that I had brought him out of his shell that day. After the students went home I remember my auntie sitting me down astonished and asking me what on earth I had done to get him to open up like that… and to this day I still couldn’t tell you what I did, it just felt natural. It was a pleasure to watch that boy flourish in the community for the next couple of years and he continued to grow and gain confidence every time I saw him.
I began to explore the possibility of becoming a teacher even more by becoming a lifeguard at our local swimming pool.
I began to explore the possibility of becoming a teacher even more by becoming a lifeguard at our local swimming pool.
I taught lessons there for 4 summers and was thrilled to watch my students learn, grow, and overcome fears each summer. It was incredible to watch clinging, screaming and hysterical children transform into calm, relaxed and trusting students in just 5 short days. I would see them progress throughout each summer and finally become the independent and confident swimmers that they never thought was possible. By the end of my first summer, I had constant feedback from parents about how I was natural with their children, and had worked miracles on some of the students’ fears. I always had parents trying to book lessons with me in advance, and their support furthered my confidence in my future career choice.
I had an urge to surround myself with this positivity year-round, so throughout the years I continued to do things such as volunteering at the library to do the snacks and crafts during their weekly reading club, babysitting for neighbors, or being the assistant coach of the tier 1 volleyball team at our school. I just couldn’t stay away from the unpredictability and reward of being around kids, and I especially loved being their role model because they would light up my day when they would get excited to see me in the hallways, church, or in the grocery store. My final confirmation to pursue the path of education came during my senior year in high school. I did a semester of work experience in our community’s elementary school where I realized just how much I DO love working with the staff, doing more of the technical ‘teacher’ expectations, and building long-lasting connections with those students. I was behind the scenes of all of the extra work such as laminating, organizing centers, bulletin boards, etc. but most importantly, I was shadowing my favorite teacher from my school years, and she reminded me of all of the qualities that I hope to possess as a teacher myself. I want to mirror the type of creative and positive classroom that she fostered for me, and give students an incredible elementary experience just like I had. She even admitted to me that she knew I was destined to be a teacher WAY back in Grade 4, and so I knew my fate was sealed… So, the path to University began, and here I am, knee deep in another exciting practicum experience and only a year away from graduation! Oh how time flies! I know that this profession has CHOSEN ME and I cannot wait to continue adding to my journey’s storyline as more stories like the ones above enter and influence my life. Thanks for allowing me to share my story, and I sincerely hope you enjoy my page! – Miss Miller |