Running head: AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL

Autobiographical
Ratto, Jill
Instructor: Dr. Egbert
EDUC. 201: Foundations of Education

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Autobiographical

In school, many of my teachers were my friends, they truly cared about me. They
pushed me to do my best, when I was down they picked me up. I want to be that kind of
teacher. I wish to be a caring adult that students can have in their lives. I wish to be an
adult that will sparks students desires to learn. From here, I will proceed to discuss what
has influenced my desire to teach others. These areas include: Educational Background,
Work History, Service and Extracurricular Activities, Reasons for Choosing Education as
a Career, and Professional Goals.
Educational Background
My educational background is very simple; I attended Hansen Elementary. I then
moved on to graduate from Hansen Jr/ Sr High. I currently have a high school diploma,
but I am furthering my education at CSI, where I am a freshman.
During my 13 years at Hansen, I learned one lesson above all others, be
respectful to those around you. Hansen is a very small school; in the high school and
Junior High, there is a total of 160 students, because it was so small we were more like a
family, than just friends. We were we always taught to bring those around us up. Respect
is second nature to me; I automatically respect those around me. This will help me when
working with students, and working with parents, everyone deserves respect.
Respect is very important in schools, if a teachers, students dont respect the
teacher, they will not listen, and they will be disruptive. If a teacher doesnt respect a
student, than it will be hard for the teacher to efficiently teach the student that is why it is
important to have respect. I have been taught respect; this will help because I will be able
to teach the students, and they will be more likely to listen
Work History

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My work history is about as long as my educational background. During the

summer, I work for my dads construction, business. My responsibilities were clean-up,

and I would help with some random jobs. As my dad would say, I was the grunt. I did
whatever I was told to do. When I wasnt working with my dad, I was often babysitting.
My responsibilities were watching the kids, cooking meals, and some other
miscellaneous tasks.
While my work history is short, I learned a lot. I learned lessons that I will never
forget. While working with my dad, I work with my siblings, so there were a lot of fights
between us. I soon found ways to get over our differences, and we began working
together. Wherever I teach there will be those who I disagree with, whether it is another
teacher or a parent. I will be able to find common ground with them, find a place where
we meet in the middle, and take care of whatever the problem was.
While babysitting, I quickly learned how to multi-task. I would have to cook and
watch the kids at the same time. While teaching, I will have to watch the kids and
explain what we are doing. I often read to the kids, and while I read, I would have to
watch them to make sure they didnt sneak off. I will have many students in the
classroom, and I will be able to watch them all.
While babysitting, I also babysat a lot of my nieces and nephews. I have a big
family with twelve nieces and nephews. These kids, range from the ages of 9 years old to
3 months old. Each kid has their own personality, and each one learns in their own way.
Knowing this will help me as a teacher, because each kid in my classroom will have a
different personality, and their own unique style of learning. I will be able help each
student by using different styles of teaching.

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Service and Extracurricular Activities

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Just like my work history and school background, my list of extracurricular

activates is short. But with the few extracurricular activities I did and the hobby I have, I
learned many things. I ran track and cross county in high school. I worked with the ESL
(English as a Second Language) program, and one of my many hobbies is photography.
While running track, I quickly learned endurance. In track I ran the two mile, and
one mile. Sometimes during the races I would tire part way through, but I never stopped.
I always kept going. During my teaching there will be times were I want to quit, and just
stop, but I wont. I have learned how to keep going. No matter what life throws at me, I
will go on.
You may be thinking what can you learn from photography that would help with
teaching? I will tell you, you learn patience. When taking a picture you have to wait.
Sometimes you have to wait for the sun to rise or for a leaf to fall. Teachers must be
patience, because they will have students who dont understand, and they must take time
to slowly teach them step by step.
While working with the ESL program, I learned that kids are very perceptive.
While working with the program, there were days were I was tired and didnt want to be
there; the student would pick up on that and they, in turn, wouldnt want to be there.
There may be some days when I am feeling down, but I will always show that I am eager
to be there If I am eager to be than the students are more likely to be eager to learn.
Reasons for Choosing Education as a Career
As long as I can remember, I have wanted to teach. When I was little, I use to use
old text books, and I would play school with my sister. I always made sure to have
recess. But, then during my junior year in high school I started to think of other careers, I

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could go into. Throughout that year I thought about becoming a lawyer, chef,
photographer, or a pediatrician. Of all the things I thought up, none of my choice fit, so
at the end of my junior year I didnt know what to do.
It wasnt until the summer after my junior year that my answer came to me. A
friend of mine called and asked if I would like to help her teach some kids at the library.
I, of course, said yes. That day, at the library, the kids gathered around me with big,
bright eyes. As I began to talk, I could see them soaking in everything, loving each new
thing they could now share with their parents. It was there, in that library that it came to
me. I want to be a teacher because I love teaching. I want to teach to see those big eyes
every day. That day reminded me what my heart always knew: I was meant to be a
teacher, and I will become one.
Professional Goals
When it comes to goals, I tend to get tunnel vision. I only think of one goal at
time, then when I finish a goal, I think of a new goal to finish. Right now my goal is to
finish this semester of college. After I finish this semester of college, I plan on finishing
my Associates of Arts from CSI. When I complete that, I am uncertain about what to do
after I receive that. I wish to gain my Bachelors but Im not sure where.
I plan on teaching, it doesnt matter where I teach, as long as I am teaching. My
goal is to inspire students so that they will love, life, and learning. Because there is no
greater joy in life, than seeing a student who was once struggling begin to understand. I
wish to light the light bulb of my students, because there is no greater joy in life, than
seeing a student who was once struggling begin to understand. I will accomplish this by
being the best teacher I can be.

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Throughout life I have changed and many of my goals have change, but what will
never change is my love for teaching. This love for teaching came about because of my
past, because I went to a school where teachers cared and respect was expected. I saw
how teachers could inspire students. My work history made me see how those how
disagree can find common ground and get along. The few extracurricular activities I did,
taught me patience, and endurance. Everything I did helped me to develop skills and
qualities, I will use when I become a teacher.