Doyle 1

Paige Doyle

Mrs.Vaughn

Teacher Prep 1

4 October 2017

Competency: Why Teach? My Future as an Educator

A. What people mean when they say “those who can't

teach” is that teaching is something that people are

born with, a natural talent. I disagree with this because

I think anyone can teach if they really want to. I

believe that people can be taught to be a great teacher.

B/C. The career path I’m considering going into at this point in time is education, specifically I

would like to be the lead teacher of a pre-k to first grade classroom. There are several things that

have led me this decision. One being my 6 year old niece Braelyn. When Braelyn was a baby my

mom babysat her during the week and had her for some weekends, and when I went to visit my

mom she would usually be there. My mom would sometimes have me watch Bray while she was

cooking or running out to do an errand and I enjoyed watching her so much that I decided I

wanted to work with children, specifically be a pediatrician. After that I had to write an essay for

my fifth grade class about a medical occupation I would like to go into so I began researching

pediatricians and what you have to do to become one. While doing all that research I realized

that I really didn't want to go into an occupation where I might have to see blood or children in

pain. Fast forward to my sophomore year of highschool, I had to choose a career that I was

considering and job shadow someone in that occupation. I was having a tough time deciding
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what occupation I wanted to go into because I really wasn't sure what I wanted to do, so my

mom recommended that I job shadow my brothers girlfriend who worked at a daycare/

kindergarten because I enjoyed working with children. I ended up job shadowing my brothers

girlfriend and it was genuinely one of the most amazing things I had ever experienced. I loved

the overall environment and the idea of being paid to work with children because it's something I

enjoy doing. After that job shadow I decided I wanted to teacher and the more I thought about it

the more I was able to actually see myself doing it in the future.

D. I want to teacher because it's actually something I can see myself doing and I really have not

been able to see myself doing any other occupation that I have considered other than. I also want

to teach because teaching is a fulfilling career, in the sense that I would be making a difference

in children's lives on a daily basis. Lastly I want to teach because I have always wanted to help

children and I believe that teachers really can change the lives of their students. It's important to

know why you want to teach because if you have actual reasons to do something you'll work

hard to achieve what you want to.

E. I think one of the biggest influences in my life is my mom. She has been through quite a lot in

her life and she just constantly proves that she is stronger than her hardships by doing everything

that anyone has ever said she couldn't, and I think that is inspiring. She inspires me to do more

with myself because even when things got really tough she kept going and I want to be like that,

to be able to continue on even when life just keeps throw stuff at you.

F. I really admired my sophomore english teacher. I thought she was a really great teacher

because she would explain thing to me in a different way if i did not understand how she had

explained it to the class. She would also be understanding if a student was not able to hand
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something in on time due to a personal issue or a technical one and I really admired that. She

also posed several qualities that made her a teacher I admired, such as she was kind, thoughtful,

reasonable, and she rarely yelled.

G. I think to be an effective teacher you have to possess a certain set of ​abilities, skills, and

attitudes. Some of those abilities, skills, and attitudes being ; Patience, tolerance, assertiveness,

the abilities to reflect on one's decisions, and a captivating personality. I believe that as of right

now in my life I don't possess all the abilities, skills, and attitude that it takes to be a teach

because I feel like a lot of the skills you need are something you acquire through courses like

teacher prep and I feel like as of right now I just don't have the experience. I think one thing i

might have to work on before becoming a teacher is my assertiveness because I'm a bit shy.

H. As of right now the only resource I have used is human. I have spoken to my family and

friends about what I want to do with my future. I think material resources would be a good

thing to look into. I could do research online about colleges in the area that offer good teaching

programs and maybe see if I can decide on a college.

I. While considering teaching as a career path I have only spoken to my family and friends. My

mom said that she thought it would be a good career choice for me and that she has considered

it at some point too. One thing that someone had said about it that made me think twice was

that they don't make good money, but then I thought about all the teachers I had who made a

fine living off of teaching.

J. This statement relates to the unit we are finishing because we are evaluating our choice to

become teachers. We are also discussing how we can go on and grow in the career we have

decided on.
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K. During this chapter I realized I am not the least bit prepared for college because I haven't

looked much into it because it stress me out. As a result of this discovery I am going to start

researching colleges and thinking about it more frequently so I will be more prepared for next

year when I have to start applying.

L. Im mostly concerned about the college aspect because I do not feel the least bit prepared for

any of the decisions I have to make in my near future.

1. How many years of school do I need to become a teacher?

2. Will there be jobs in the grade I wish to teach when I get out of college?

3. Will I be able to support myself on the starting salary?

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1. What is wrong with the statement, “Those who ​can’t do​, teach”? Why would you tell

them to think again about that statement before saying it to an education major or a

practicing educator?

One glaring issues with the statement “Those who can’t do, teach” is that if someone can not do

something then why would you want that person educating people on that thing. If anything if

someone teaches they can do that thing better than most. They know that thing so well that they

can educate others about it in multiple different ways. People should reconsider saying “Those

who can’t do, teach” to educators because it disrespectful to them and their profession. Also the

statement itself makes no sense so people will just look dumb saying it.

2. Why do (did) ​you​ want to teach?

(7:19,22)

I want to teach because I genuinely love children. I have always wanted to be able to work with

children. I love how fun and unpredictable they are. I also like the idea of being able to shape

young minds by being a positive role model for them. Teaching is also something I can see

myself genuinely doing and enjoying. I also feel like I will feel fulfilled doing this because it

helps people and I love doing it. Since september my ideas about teaching have only solidified.

One thing that really helped solidify my idea of being a teacher is my job. I got a job through my

teacher prep. class at a daycare and I absolutely love it. There is not a day where I dread going to

work. I have so much fun working with the different age groups. Another thing that really

solidified my decision is the job shadows we went on. I job shadowed in a 1st grade class and I

really enjoyed it. Seeing the teacher teach her class and go about her day really made teaching

seem like a realistic career for me.

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3. There are many careers in education. (NH Standard 7,9; Objective: 19, 24)

I am considering working in a daycare setting similar to the one I work in now

(infants-kindergarten). I would eventually like to be able to be a lead teacher of a toddler

classroom. Something that helped lead me to this decision is my job. I really enjoy

working in this environment and I can see myself doing it long term as a career. In

september I thought I wanted to work with 1st graders but after my job shadow I don't

think I want to do that because you aren't given much room for creativity as far as what

you teach and how you teach it. In a daycare setting your are given so much more room

for creativity because the state laws on curriculum for this age are much less strict.

4. We’ve explored various motivations for becoming a teacher. (NH Standard 7: Obj. 19)

Why​ do you want to teach / work with children? Pick your top three, really think hard

about why you want to

teach, dig deep and ​explain fully​.

Why is knowing ​why​ you want to teach so important?

5. What and/or who have been your biggest influences in becoming ​the person​ you are

today? (does not have to be a teacher) Describe their influence. (NH Standard 7:

Objective 19)
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6. You’ve had a few more teachers since we wrote this assignment last fall. Looking at

your education so far, which teachers have you admired most, and what made them so

special?

What qualities do they possess that were so important to you as their student?

7. What abilities, skills, attitudes, or drive does it take to be a good teacher? (NH Standards

7,9, 13: Objectives 19, 24, 36)

Do ​you​ have what it takes? Why or why not?

What strengths or qualities do you have that will make you a successful teacher?

What are some of the qualities that you would have to work on and get better at and

practice before you think

you would become a great teacher? ​Explain all parts fully​.

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8. Consider the teachers you’ve talked to about teaching in the past year. What helpful

advice have you taken from those conversations? (NH Standard 7,13: Objective 19,36)

Are there any things they’ve said that make you think twice about it? What is your reaction to

that? Why?

9. Describe what you discovered about yourself and/or teaching this year and what you

intend to do as a result. (NH Standard 7; Objective 19)

10. In conclusion, what concerns do you have (still or now) about either becoming a teacher

or the teaching field itself? (NH Standard 9; Objective 24)