All throughout my life, teaching has come naturally to me. Being the oldest of four children, I have always been inclined to help my siblings learn as much as I could. I specifically remember making my sister (who is three years younger than me) math worksheets based off of what I had learned in school that day. I was excited when she told me that she didn't know how to do it, because that meant I got to teach her!
I knew I wanted to teach, but it wasn't until I made a special connection with a sweet autistic boy that I realized I wanted to teach special education. I knew this boy before he was diagnosed. I watched as his autism was discovered and his family moved so he would have access to the schooling he needed. The next time I saw this precious soul, he had learned so much. He was able to successfully communicate his needs with others, he knew his shapes and colors, and his overall vocabulary had expanded immensely. I was choking back tears the whole time I was watching him interact with his world in a whole new way. After I parted ways with him, I realized that I wanted to be that change in someone's life.
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Throughout the rest of school, I was often the student that others would come to with questions about homework. I remember my peers asking me: "How are you not annoyed with being asked for help so much?" I would always reply with an explanation of my love for teaching. My senior year of high school, I had the opportunity to help teach in a special education preschool and to tutor a few fourth graders in math. I loved it so much and I would share my experiences with everyone that asked with confidence. So, when did I become so embarrassed about my passion?
Coming to college with a sure idea of what I wanted to do with my life was something I never thought I would do. I was proud to tell people that I had already declared a major. However, as my first semester went on, I became more and more embarrassed to tell people about it. I would listen as classmates talked about studying engineering and computer science. When it was my turn to share, the reaction was often the same: an awkward pause and pitying eyes. Some people would ask me how much money I expect to make, as if I’m in it for the money.
NEWS FLASH: I don’t want to be a teacher because of the aweeesome salary. So, don’t pity me for choosing this career path. I am lucky enough to have friends that support me in my decision. They always back me up in social settings with praises of how great of a teacher I’m going to be. They talk about how it takes a really special kind of person to be able to do what I want to do. They boost me up when I feel embarrassed to tell people about my passion, and they’ve helped me realize that there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Just because my math class isn’t as hard as an engineer's or my work load isn’t as heavy as a pre-med student doesn’t mean that I am not finding fulfillment and meaning in my life. Teacher’s are the ones who educate the future engineers and doctors of our country.
So, when someone asks me what my major is, I will hold my head up high and reply: “I’m an aspiring teacher...and I’m proud.”
