Running head: AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Educational AutoBiography : Seeding a Childs Future

Jayme Belk
IvyTech Community College

Introduction
Time has a way of changing us not just physically but as overall people. I believe that
there is not one person that can honestly say that they are the same person they were last year,
last week, or even yesterday for that matter. This is due to the fact that with life comes lessons,
and influences. These influences range from people things and places we associate ourselves
with at any time. Sooner or later we are left standing to answer a quite complex question: What
has made you who you are?
Like most things in life that question leads to self-evaluation, which only leads to more
tangling questions. Within my self-evaluation I was forced to make a statement of who I am and
what I want in life. I am a 21 year old student who aspires to be an Elementary Teacher. Family,
teachers, and extracurricular activities are three major elements which lead me to this decision.
Family
In my household we were taught to value our education, and it was constantly stated that
it was one of the only sure ways to become something in life. Therefore, when my 5 th grade
teacher asked me: What do you want to be when you grow up?, I answered proudly a teacher, a
lawyer, a business women, an artist, a singer. (the list goes on). Never the less at that young
age I came to an understanding that ambition, hard work, and smarts are vital tools to success.
If I ever forgot this truth my aunt or mom had methods of reminding me. After I got home from
school it was routine to show them my homework, or being assigned miscellaneous learning
activities; I understand now that their tendencies were not in vein.

Teachers
The more I attended school the more teachers I met and interacted with. One beautiful

thing about a good teacher is that they have the best interest of the child in mind, analyzing
their behaviors and pinpointing skills and interests. I feel as though I have come encounter with a
few good teachers within my school career. Simply caring for me initiated the watering of a seed
that had previously been planted. The seed being watered just happened to be one in which
pertained to my goal to become just like them. For this reason and more I have to acknowledge
my teachers in efforts to pay homage to those that have made teaching a desirable career of mine.
One teacher in particular would be my elementary music teacher. Although, I do not
desire to teach music I do desire to connect with children, and that is exactly what she did. Some
may look at Music as an elective course in which serves no true purpose, but I would have to
passionately object. Mrs. McFarland seemed to love what she did and made teaching something
that seemed like a joy much less a chore or labor for financial stability. To this day I look for the
Mrs. McFarlands of every school that I attend, and hope one day that will be me.
Extracurricular Activities
Some teachers take time out to teach more than in-class subjects. Thankfully this allows
students to participate in extracurricular activities. By my last year of high school I was involved
in over 10 groups. These varied from violence prevention, to a junior sorority. As far back as I
can remember I have always been a social student. I remember getting letters sent home saying:
Jayme is a good kid, she does well on all her work, but shes a little too talkative. Of course
eventually I learned how to better manage my behavior and to express myself at the right times.
Being so involved showed me that I had leadership skills, public speaking strength and even
organization habits. All these attributes match that of a teacher which further fertilized my
growing interest in teaching.
Conclusion
Recognizing what elements play vital roles in our career choices is a much needed step to

developing a foundation for growth. Exposing ourselves to positive people and influences is a
sure fire way to succeed. Self-assessment and acknowledgment of those factors that have added
to the teacher in me not only required me to be reflective but to be expectant of what is to come.
Remembering how my family pushed me to excel, highlighting the traits that Mrs. McFarland
held and embracing the skills that extracurricular activities brought out of me helped me to
further understand what a bright future I have ahead of myself. Teaching is an art that only those
with a vision can convey. Stating who I am, what I want to become and why, is one major step to
establishing a vision of my own.