The Pursuit of a Degree as a Special Education Teacher

One year ago I thought I knew everything I wanted for my future career and life. But, in reality the only thing I knew was that I was going to get a degree as a special education teacher and play basketball at some college, but still did not know which one. As my senior year of high school continued, I pursued the fun road as apposed to the academic road. My dream was still to become a special education teacher, but slowly my emotions changed about the perspectives on basketball. Eventually I chose not to play, which began the count down towards my decision in college and I only had a few months to make it. My decision concluded to Bowling Green State University. It happened to fall in my lap because the college was the perfect distance from home and has a well developed education department. Now I am looking at my options that I should have been looking at during my senior year of high school rather than being set on playing basketball in college. Ohio State.

Being a special education teacher has been a career goal of mine for several years. During my sophomore year of high school, I took a class called Introduction to Education. The class explored the different fields of education and positions of administration. Immediately, special education triggered my interest. Since that class, I have spent time in different classrooms, shadowed many teachers, and talked to educators in the special education field. By doing this, I feel so much more confident in my decision to become a special education teacher. As well as mature with my studies and academic life. I believe I have what it takes to provide students with the right material in order to learn. Also, looking through Ohio State’s college of Education and Human Ecology I feel it has the right program and classes to teach me the skills I need in order to become the proper educator. In one recent observation, I decided that teaching was not enough. After getting my degree in special education, I want to go to graduate school to get a degree in administration so I can become a principle or assistant principle of a school.

Attending Bowling Green State University has helped me prepare immensely for my future and mature in ways I did not expect. I have experienced many new adventures and obstacles I had not prepared myself to endure. My first year did not start off the way I imagined it. College was about making friends, meeting new people and gaining that instant community back, but I slowly realized majority of BGSU came from the same area so they already had friends. People were not trying to expand and broaden their horizons. My college experience turned into going home every weekend to hang out with my parents. As the year has progressed, making friends is easier and people leave their groups, but the people and environment are not the factors pulling me away from the school, it is the atmosphere, size and location. Seeing as my college decision was last minute, I had little opportunity to work at other college applications or take college visits. But, I do no regret the decision I made. I enjoy going to school here, but I do not see myself staying simply because it does not fit who I am, my personality or the background in which I grew up in. The little town of Bowling Green is opposite from my hometown. Being involved with my school through different groups or committees, it was my way of getting involved. Even though I held two part-time jobs throughout high school, I still allowed myself to be as active as possible. Being in a large community made it easy and helpful, which is how I see myself at Ohio State, very active and involved with my interests on campus.

After a recently visit to Ohio State, my eyes were widened as I walked around the campus and not even five minutes later, instantly I fell in love with it. I knew that it was the school for me and were I want to continue to pursue my education. The entire atmosphere of Ohio State is different from BGSU. It has diverse student body, the size of the campus is what I am looking for, and it is located in the great Columbus area. The university fits my criteria for college. I feel like Ohio State University will allow me to not only get my college education, but also have that right college experience. As a special education major at Ohio State, my involvement with SCEC can continue. The Columbus area and college town have high opportunities for jobs for the education field. Being an educator, it is important to be in an area where schools need you. Having my methods in the Columbus area school district will put my name out on the market and hopefully help me get a job in the future.