My Education Journey
Some of my earliest memories of childhood involved playing school. I would sit all of my stuffed animals around my bedroom and pretend that I was teaching them. When my cousins would come over to play, we always seemed to get around to playing school. I remember that I had a small chalkboard where I would write the lessons for my "students." Once I started to school, I loved it. Being an only child, I loved getting to be around kids at school. I was a good student and academics came easy for me. Once I got into high school and really started to think about what I would do with my life, there was only one answer--I would be a teacher. It is the only thing I have ever wanted to be. After graduating from high school, I took that first summer off to work and then started to college in the fall. From then on, I went straight through and graduated with my B.S. degree in Elementary Education in three years. I couldn't wait to get into my own classroom with my own students. I will never forget the feeling I had when my first principal handed me my very first class list. I told him I felt like he was handing me a million dollars. I still feel that way every year when I get my new class list. I love my students and love helping them learn.
When I think about all of the teachers along my education journey, it is hard to pick just one who influenced me the most. There were teachers at every stage of my education journey who impacted me greatly. Some of my favorite elementary school teachers were my second and fourth grade teachers, Mrs. Deerman and Mrs. Nichols. Both of them were so kind and loving toward the students. I do not remember a lot about specific things they taught me, but I do remember their smiling faces and the way they made me feel safe and cared for in their classes. In junior high, I had several great teachers including Mrs. Hollis, my seventh grade science teacher, Mr.Carter, my seventh grade math teacher, and Mrs. Dutton, my eighth grade math teacher. They made their classes interesting and gave lots of help to those students who needed it. Science and math are typically more difficult courses, and these teachers worked hard to make sure the students "got it." Once in high school, some of my most memorable teachers were Mr. Hodges, my history teacher and Mrs. Sharp and Mrs. Pendley, my English teachers. The thing I remember most about these teachers is that they were fair to everyone and treated us with respect. In turn, we all respected them and wanted to be in their classes. I loved Mr. Hodges so much that when I was a senior, instead of taking P.E., I took an AP World History class. In college I had lots of great instructors at Northeast State Jr. College and at Athens State University. One instructor that I remember the most is my Foundations of Education Teacher at Athens. So much of what he said and what I learned in that class rings in my ears still today. Things he taught us about the importance of education and how teachers should treat their students still guides my teaching practices today.
As I have reflected on my education journey, I realize how blessed I have been to have been positively influenced by so many wonderful educators. I pray that I will be that kind of positive influence on the students whom I have the privilege to teach. My principal posed the question just the other day--are you being the kind of teacher for your students that you remember your favorite and best teachers were to you? I know for sure that teaching is my calling. It is what I am supposed to do. I am never happier and more at peace with myself than when I am with my students. I am so thankful to be where I am right now and to have the opportunity to touch children's lives. I pray that I do it with love, compassion, fairness, and respect.
Stacy
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