The idea of teaching has always bounced around in my head ever since middle school. I loved showing others what I knew and teaching them things they didn’t know. In addition to this, I also loved making an impact on other’s lives. I loved creating a better change for others while also making them a more well rounded person. But of course I knew that teachers weren’t paid the best and being the young teenager I was with lots of ideas of what I wanted to have once I have a job. I knew that these things I wanted would cost money and needed a high paying job, and being a teacher wasn’t one of those high paying jobs. So, I casted aside the idea of being a teacher in pursuit of finding a better paying career. It wasn’t until I took Advanced Placement United States History (APUSH) and attended a mission trip where I finally found my calling of being a teacher, even if it meant I wouldn’t be paid the best.
I took APUSH my sophomore year of high school with who would be one of my favorite and most impactful teachers I know. I had teachers before I took this class which I really liked and that taught well. But, I never had a teacher before that really showed me what it looked like to actually teach something that means deeply to you. I also took his class because I had a passion for history as well, more specifically American history. My brother’s and I would always have discussions at the dinner table about American history and all of the little details and facts. I loved going to museums, historical sites, and watching history movies. So I have always been interested in history, but taking APUSH was the moment when I knew I could teach American history and share what I was passionate about.
The summer after I took APUSH, I got the opportunity to go to Jamaica to teach vacation bible school at school that taught K-9. I knew I liked helping people and creating positive change in the lives I helped, but I had never done this sort of work before. Teaching vacation bible school would also show me what speaking in front of a small group, similar to a classroom size, would look like. This was the perfect opportunity to get a small slice of what teaching would be like. For about a week, I taught science projects with another girl my age to kids kindergarten aged all the way to kids who were as old as us. In the classroom I taught in was where I combined teaching something I was interested in while also creating a positive change for those who I was teaching. Every child who stepped into the classroom was eager to see what experiment we would conduct, even the older ones. Seeing their smiles and hearing their excitement and laughter as the volcano we made exploded, made me happy. I was told by the actual teachers and chaperones at the school that I was a natural in the classroom, even though I had never done such a thing. When I left Jamaica I knew what I wanted to pursue teaching to teach others what I’m passionate about while also creating a positive change in my student’s lives.
I have heard time and time again that once you find something that you love, you will never work a day in your life. Going back to my young teenager self, I never fully understood what that meant because I wanted all of these material possessions, which would cost money, which would require a high paying job. After almost completing my first year of college, I’ve finally understood this quote and have realized that I would rather see my student’s grow as a student and person as I help them grow to be well rounded citizens in their communities and across the country.
