My Future Teacher Introduction & Educational Philosophy

I chose to pursue teaching as a career because it has always been my dream.
The people in my life who have inspired me most have always been teachers.  My
desire is to inspire students as my teachers inspired me.  I am a
non-traditional student and have finally come to my opportunity to complete my
education.  As a high school student, I faced many of the personal obstacles
that students today continue to face.  I have a unique understanding of those
obstacles and this knowledge has instilled in me the importance of our youth
receiving every opportunity and advantage in receiving and continuing their
education.  It will be my goal as an educator to inspire each and every
student I contact to utilize their educational opportunities to their fullest
potential.

My career choices to this point in life have all involved some element of
educating others and this is my opportunity to move literally into the
classroom.   I have enjoyed many workplace positions that have involved
management and training.  I have developed sales training seminars and
programs for educating employees on their benefits programs.  I also worked in
the insurance field and educated individuals on how best to protect their
families in the event of disability.  Additionally, I have worked as a
paraprofessional in a school in Florida and had the opportunity to work
directing with students on a daily basis.  I assisted in the morning
kindergarten reading block, the library classes for students K-5 and designed
and taught afternoon reading and language arts lessons for the fourth and
fifth grade emotionally handicapped class.  I also filled in as a substitute
when needed.  That position was the most fulfilling and rewarding position I
have ever held.  It reinforced my desire and goal in becoming a teacher. 

My values have a strong root in education.  I truly value every possible
educational opportunity.   I am constantly reading, watching documentaries and
educational programs and engaging in conversations with people who have great
knowledge about areas I am interested in to further my knowledge base.  I
firmly believe that no individual ever truly stops learning.  I anticipate
learning nearly as much from my students as they learn from me.  I also value
our youth.  The youth of today will be the decision makers of tomorrow and
they deserve every opportunity to learn to make informed decisions for their
future.  Additionally, they deserve respect for their position.  So many
people get caught up in what's happening today and consider our youth a
nuisance or a necessity without considering the people they are disrespecting
today will be making decisions for them tomorrow.  I suppose that leads into
my ethics.  I believe that respect is key in all relationships.  Most who are
given respect generally give respect in return.  This is also true for
students.  It is my belief that if students' ideas are considered and
addressed with respect for their opinions and feelings they are more likely to
give that respect to others.  I believe that my patience and creativity will
be key traits in my role as an educator.