All throughout grade school, I wanted to be a teacher. But, when I was about to start college, I decided I wanted to pursue something ‘more difficult’ and ‘challenge myself.’ Needless to say, after one semester of trying to succeed in a major I wasn’t passionate about, I went back to my original plan to follow my path in education.

After a semester of following my heart and a summer of being a teacher assistant at a summer program, I can’t picture myself in any other field of study.

I am now going to be starting my sophomore year and I couldn’t be more excited to focus on my future career. Here are some reasons why teaching is my dream:

1. The love I have for kids and young adults

My path is leading me toward the secondary education route. I want to work with high schoolers eventually. But, in general, I have so much love in my heart for younger kids and teens. It intrigues me to see them process information and grasp new content. Seeing a light in their eyes when they finally understand a new concept gives me joy in my heart.

2. I want my students to learn from my mistakes

After going through K-12 schooling, I know exactly how these students will be feeling. I know what they are going to struggle with and I know what mistakes can be made at each age. I want to give kids and young adults advice about what they are going through based off my own personal experiences. Hopefully my learners won’t just be educated in English, but they will be engaged in life lessons too.

3. Being a teacher allows you to stay a kid at heart

Everyone grows up eventually, but when you are a teacher, you still have the wonder inside of you that allows you to still stay young. Weather it’s acting out plays in class or dressing up for Halloween, being a teacher allows you to show your inner kid.

4. It is a profession that makes it easy to have a family

Summer, weekends and holidays off makes it easier for educators to have children and raise a family, but still have a career. Family has always been an important value to me and I can’t wait to have one of my own. So, being on the same schedule as my own youngsters, will make my career that much more enjoyable.

5. I want to shape the future

Teachers are responsible for the education that doctors receive when they are in schooling. Without that kindergarten teacher, AP bio teacher, or ninth grade English teacher, doctors would not exists. K-12 schooling is the foundation that is laid down to inspire young individuals to become anything they want to be. With outstanding teachers, outstanding individuals will enter the world.

An important goal in my life has always been to change the world with my passions. I feel like teaching will give me the outlet to shape lives and impact the future of society. If I can be one student’s inspiration to be a better person in my future career, I will be happy. I can’t wait to finish my education and start cultivating high-school students in not only English, but in life. I hope my forthcoming students in the year 2021 will be ready to walk away with knowledge that they can hold in their hearts forever.