Lexi Orlando EDL 318 September 25, 2013

Reflective Writing Assignment

Many aspiring teachers revert back to their elementary school teachers when asked to describe a teacher who has impacted their lives. I feel that this trend is for a reason, not only are students with their elementary school teachers all year long but they are the building blocks of their adolescence. Now, Id like to think everyone has experienced a teacher like that but realistically that might not be the case. For me, it was my 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Eddy. She is still in contact with my family today and I see her a few times a year. The thing is, when I think about what I learned in that classroom, the longitude and latitude song comes to mind but the content learned in that class wasnt what makes me look back so fondly now as a 21 year old. The reason I remember Mrs. Eddy is because of the relationship I had with her. When I was in 4th grade I moved from Michigan to Ohio and the day we moved away my mom got a phone call that would change the dynamic of our family forever. The doctor called and told her that she had breast cancer. The majority of my classmates exiled me because one of my peers told them that they could catch cancer if they talked to me. As a new student in a new school with very few friends, my teacher was my rock. Mrs. Eddy would have lunch with me everyday and helped me through one of the most difficult times of my life. My mom and she got very close in the process and are still

good friends to this day. Looking back now I see how much she did for me. She went out of her way to make sure I was happy and coping well; she gave up her lunch and down time to be with a student. As every year passes, as every syllabus begins and ends I still hold on to the safe haven Mrs. Eddy made for me so many years ago. The support and care she showed me throughout that year are two things I will always take with me in life. Not only in my career as an educator but as a friend, as a sister, in every aspect of life. Being a positive role model is something that all teachers should believe they can be and I know from experience that I know what an adequate role model looks like. Being a role model isnt a goal that you achieve, it is something that you should always be actively working on. One of the response questions in your book asked about what motivating factors have led you to teacher and what assumptions, beliefs, values and ideas I hold on to thus far. I think that this question is something that would be different for every individual. Everyone has gone through different things; no two people have been through the same obstacles or dealt with them in the same exact manor. This is what makes everyones values unique and that to me is a beautiful thing. With every situation I face I become a stronger person with new perspectives and I think this is a standpoint that is important when teaching many different students. Every student is individual and unique and it is import as a teacher to remember that. As I proceed with my aspirations of becoming a teacher I know this is something that will stick with me. I believe that content and curricula are important, but I also think a huge part of becoming a great teacher is going above and beyond the general curriculum and teaching your students the hidden curriculum. I believe that a great

teacher leader is someone who is an advocate for all of their students, someone who knows their students and wants to better them as much as they can. I think that everyone deserves to have that relationship with at least one of their teachers (hopefully more than one) and I promise to be that teacher for the students in my classroom. Recently in another one of my education classes we went to the juvenile detention center in Hamilton and weve been learning a lot about the youth there. I know that family dynamics and other aspects contribute to their behaviors but I think that in school systems teachers should do everything in their power to be those students biggest fans especially because not all of them have mothers and fathers who are there for them. Advocacy and faith are two things that are very important in obtaining this. You need to be accepting of where your students come from, keep that in mind and try as best as you can to put yourself in their shoes. Another important aspect is faith. Im sure it would be challenging to think that your students dont care or assume that they dont appreciate you but you have to keep faith. In class we talked about how students might not show it but they do need us and they do want us. Although they might not show it, they truly do. I remember when we talked about a student who wrote about how appreciative they were, yet the teacher had absolutely no idea! In some cases the student may never comment or give thanks but hey, at the end of they day its best to say you tried your hardest. Whether its that day, or years down the road, students will always remember how you believed in them and for me knowing that is enough to always give it my best! Im sure these beliefs and aspirations will be tested once Im in the field, but I think that seeing all that my teachers have done for me reminds me of the type of teacher I want and need to be.