The Collaborative Teacher Education Program At The University Of Massachusetts Amherst

While observing during my fieldwork assignment I had the pleasure of speaking candidly with quite a few teachers. It was Chanel Thompson’s conversation that stood out to me most. It seems we are like minded in many ways. Currently she works at Francis Elementary, a school that is currently plagued with the daunting tasks of trying to enrich not only the academic careers but the lives of its students. Francis Elementary is one of the many Houston schools that services children that fall in the bottom of the lower middle class, in terms of socio economic statuses. Like me, Chanel stated that she picked this profession because of the impact she would have on various children that she would teach from year to year. After teaching for just four short years she still feels the same way. She went on to say “Teaching will be the hardest yet most rewarding job you will ever have.”

I believe that teachers must understand the importance of their job. Teaching is a lifestyle, not just a job. A teacher’s aim is more than to relay information to compliant students. My job is to facilitate growth and learning

I believe that education is the key in developing today’s students into tomorrow’s leaders. Education is the basis on which individuals develop their self-concept and the desire to become more knowledgeable. I want to become an educator because I am interested in helping elementary students become active learners and also to assist with their social skills. I believe I can make a difference to many students as they start their educational foundation. I feel that all teachers should possess the desire to devote their hard work and efforts to their students’ educational success. I view teaching as not only one of the most respected careers, but also as one in which the rewards are great and many

Every little child has an ideal dream job that they want to do when they grow up. I was one of those little children telling my parents all kinds of things, but when I got to high school I realized I wanted to be a teacher. Ever since then I have realized that I am grateful for all the fantastic teachers I had through high school. They made me realize further why I wanted to become a teacher. I believe one of the most important things about becoming a teacher is helping influence the students of the future like my teachers did for me.

When researching the vocation of Elementary Education, I interviewed Heather Harrington. An Elementary School teacher who has taught in the public schools for 22 years. Upon entering college at Eastern Washington University, she was working towards a degree in physical therapy but found after a year that it was not the path that had been set out for her, so she switched to Elementary Education due to a recommendation by a friend and because Eastern Washington University had such a strong program.

My desire to teach really derives from those who really connected me with the love for educating others. The connection I made with my fourth grade teacher really encouraged me to seek a change for the better in my life and help others do the same. For she turned out to be one of my best friends who would watch out and made sure to tell me when something was not quite right with me. The connection I had with her made me feel like I was a part of her family, and could do anything with her support. The way she always had time to listen to my drama or play games with my friends and I created this idea that maybe I could be that person for other kids. In the fourth grade I had just moved from a very different demographic of kids, only had a few

Ideally, when I graduate, I would like to enter the credential program at Cal Poly Pomona. As an English Education major, I feel like this is the next logical step for me as I seek to move forward on my path of becoming a teacher. The opportunities that await me in the credential program truly excite me because I have always found my studies of English Education to be very rewarding and purposeful. I have found this to be especially true now because I am currently in the process of conducting observation hours at local high schools in Pomona as part of my English Education curriculum. When I am in the classroom, I immediately feel a sense of joy, purpose, and productivity. Outside of the classroom, I do have experience teaching as a leader for a club on campus; I am a Woman’s Bible Study Leader for Cal Poly Cru and I have found this experience of teaching college students to be the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding experience I have ever had the pleasure of being a part of. It can become overwhelming as doubts and deadlines tend to sneak in on me from time to time, but I know that being a teacher is worth every ounce of pressure because of the positive impact that a teacher has the ability to make on a student. There is an incredible statistic that states that “On average a teacher affects 3,000 children over the course of their career” (Bickley). This opportunity stirs my heart like nothing else because when I was in high school, I had an incredible teacher named

Being an educator means that you are someone who cares and wants to see children be successful in your class and in their futures. The reason I want to become an educator is to make a difference in a child's life. I have worked with children for over seven years and everyday I spend with a child I learn someone new, about them and about myself. I want to give back to the community in which I was raised. I want to show them that they have helped make me become what I am today. A teacher can make a difference in a child's life to the good or bad if they went into the field for the wrong reason. I want to be remembered for the one who helped and made a difference a child?s life and also as good role model.

Early in high school, I had the mindset that I wanted a career in which I could change the world, make a difference in someone else’s life, and help people. This is why I chose to become a teacher. When I was in elementary school, my teachers were my biggest role models besides my parents. I looked up to my teachers so much and still remember and visit my favorite elementary teachers. As a teacher, I want to be that person that students can trust and look up to. To me, teaching isn’t just a job, it is a chance to brighten someone’s day, and an opportunity to listen to what our youth is telling us when no seems to care or to listen to them.

Throughout my years in school, I would watch in awe as my teachers stood in front of the class with a sense of confidence and ease. The older I became, the more I realized how much educators did in order to make sure that the students in their classrooms succeeded. Even when I was not at school, I sometimes got an inside perspective of the life of an educator from my aunt, who is a first grade teacher. I would hear all about the lessons that she planned and some of the experiences that she has had as an educator. As she spoke about her experiences, I could genuinely tell how much she enjoyed expanding the minds of her students. As I grew older, I recognized how much I enjoyed being with and helping children, whether it was one of my peers or the children whom I babysat. One of my favorite memories is of babysitting a child who was struggling with her history homework. I sat down with her, re-read the question aloud and walked her through the chapter in her book to find the answer. The moment she found the answer in the book her face lit up. That is one of the many reasons that I want to be an educator. I love seeing the excitement of a child who was once struggling when he or she finally reads a word that was challenging, or figures out the answer to a difficult mathematical question.

I grew up in a family where education was number one. All of my aunts and my mother were teachers. They always instilled the value of education to me. Having aunts and a mother as teachers meant that school never ended. While most children would dread that, I’ve always enjoyed it. I believe this is what sparked my interest in becoming a teacher. It was not until I became a senior in high school that I accepted the career choice of education. I graduated high school with honors, and twenty-four hours of college credit. When I arrived at UTSA, I was two classes away from being a sophomore. It wasn’t until I began my education classes that I found my true passion.

I want to become a teacher because I believe that all students are unique in their own way. I want to teach because I want to know that I am making a positive difference in the lives of students. Also, because teaching will allow me to connect with students in ways I've never been able to. I've always felt joy when I am around kids, it brings a sense of excitement. To me it is not simply a job but instead a purpose and my mission. I believe teachers should not be alone in educating their students. Parents, families and communities need to work together to support and enrich the lives of their children. By being a part of your child's education, you are showing them that you care and support them.

My motivation for being a teacher comes from somewhere deep within my heart and soul. I love children. I love the look that comes across their faces when they finally grasp a concept after they have been trying to truly understand it. I had a lot of teachers that made an impact on me and I want to have the same impact on as many children as possible. My teachers installed a love of learning in me. There is no better profession than teaching for those who want to learn. One is learning just as much from their students, if not more, than what they teach. Teaching is rewarding and involves making the world a better place. That is my calling. To change the world, one person at a time, by showing love to each and every person I meet. Weather it be one of my students or one of their parents, I want to be Christ’s light just like my teachers were for me. I want to be the support system that shows each and every one of my students that they can do anything they put their mind to. Not only can they shoot for the stars, but they can shoot far beyond. After all, I was once just a kid from a small farm town that no one knows about. Now I’ve been on 4 mission trips, I travel all around, and I moved half way across the country to chase my dreams. I am here because I was impacted by my high school history teacher/ musical director, Mr. Wittig. He pushed me to chase my dreams and to follow my heart and not to let anything get in my way. I want to share what I have with every child I can,

I also asked my former teachers, why they decided to go into the teaching profession. Mrs. Alvarez spoke about how growing up she always wanted to become a teacher. It was something that she always pictured for herself. Her response show’s how passionate she is about teaching, and it is one of the reasons why she is an amazing educator. Mr. Kelly, would always tell us interesting anecdotes, and one of them was about his childhood, and how he always enjoyed literature. He had passion, and eventually he felt like he found his calling. Both of them wanted this ever since they were young.

My field experience started in a third grade classroom at Gocio elementary school. I went to the classroom four times throughout the semester, and I plan to go back even after. By going to the school both for a full day and for only few hours of a day, I was able to get a picture of the everyday school life of these 3rd graders. Throughout my observation and assistance to the teacher I have not only grown in my philosophy of education, but have put reasons and experience behind my philosophy as well. I started this class with the perspective of education and teaching based off my experience in elementary school almost eight years ago. Now, I have the perspective of both students and teachers in today’s generation of education. Every time I