What Inspired You to Become a Teacher

Reflecting on "what inspired you to become a teacher," I realize that the path to this vocation was paved with a profound sense of purpose and a clear vision for my life's work. The spark that ignited my passion for teaching was the transformative power education holds. I believe that teachers can set the foundation of success and lifelong learning experiences. Teachers have the ability to not only making a lasting influence the world, but also change it. I want to be a part of this marvelous profession because all children should have the opportunity to receive the best quality of education possible whatever their race, socioeconomic status, or educational achievements of their parents.

Throughout my educational journey, I’ve had teachers who became my role models and heroes. I’ve had teachers that push me beyond my personal limits, challenged me in ways I didn’t understand at the time, set high expectations, were patient with me, could motivate me, and still someone I felt comfortable enough to share my struggles with. They were great communicators that knew how to dissect the most difficult subject matter in ways for it to be easily understood. My teachers cared about more than simply my educational wellbeing, but also me being a well-rounded individual reading me to face different challenges I would face in society. These experiences have helped to mold the type of teacher I aspire to be, incorporating my strengths, skills, values, and experiences.

Children should be able to learn in an environment where they feel safe and comfortable to express themselves while being uplifted by the teachers they encounter. This environment cultivates high self-esteem that allows them to set attainable goals for themselves and accomplish them and beyond. It is my goal as a teacher, to push my students to achieve those goals and become the best version of themselves. I will be my privilege in helping to make them productive members of society. It is because of all these reasons and my experiences with wonderful educators that I asked myself what better profession should be pursued. To me, teaching is more than a job, it is an important contribution to be a part of the change that needs to take place in society, and I’m excited about the opportunity to do so.

An excellent teacher is someone who facilitates thinking and engage minds, not just someone who explains. Not someone who simply demonstrates, but cultivates conceptual learning. An excellent teacher is someone who inspires, encourages, supports struggle, and encourages risks. An excellent teacher goes the extra mile and makes sacrifices. Teachers have the ability to take students and make them believe, truly believe, that their hopes and dreams are obtainable. Effective teachers are able to use differentiations, modifications, and accommodations to helps student with different learning styles and challenges. An excellent teacher will not let a student to accept defeat or failure, they will not stop until every question is completely explained and understood, no matter what it takes. When the lesson still hasn’t been understood by students, an extraordinary teacher would create a new approach at teaching the material and incorporate Response to Intervention. It is my goal to be this type of teacher.

Why do you want to be a teacher? Different people have different answers. I look at the opportunity to inspire and encourage students as a great opportunity, not a challenge. I’ve encountered many teachers that do take advantage of this wonderful opportunity, but instead have the opposite effect on their students; teaching only for the means of an income, not truly having the heart for it. More than often, student go to school because they are forced, having to muscle through the day facing and having to deal with difference mental and emotional challenges. Students are always expected to be ready to learn. Sometimes it takes a compassionate teacher to be able to stoop and meet students where they are able to help them succeed. With this being the case, teacher must not only know the subject matter, they must also be able to teacher things like character, morals, integrity. Sometimes theses extra things make more of an impact on student lives. So to conclude the essay, these are the reasons why I want to be a teacher. I want to be an agent of change for the future of the world.

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