My Personal Philosophy

Ashley Buck Dr. Kokiko EDU 218 1/26/2019 My Personal Philosophy

The definition of teacher is, "a person who teaches, especially in a school.” Pretty much gets to the point, right? Now let's take the root word “teach” and read its definition, “impart knowledge to or instruct (someone) as to how to do something.” Studying to become a teacher was honestly not my first choice for a career. As a little girl of course, I wanted to be baker, veterinarian, meteorologist, doctor, and the list goes on. However, as I got into high school, I was certain I had found my dream job, to become a surgeon. Yes, to become a surgeon. This idea stuck with me all four years and even into college. So, when I started my first semester at Franciscan University I entered in as a Biology degree and by the end of that semester I most certainly realized I did not want to do that anymore. Then tried a year in Nursing. But something wasn’t clicking. My heart wasn’t in the right place. However, I did find my heart being tugged towards education. Never in my wildest dreams would I pictured myself studying to become a teacher, but it clicked, and I found so much peace within this beautiful occupation.

Summer of 2018 I was a summer missionary for a Life Teen Camp in the Georgia mountains for three months. This camp had over 300 high school teens arrive every week for 10 weeks straight. Every week was a new experience. But what a joy it was to see these kids learn and grow within the seven short days they had there. Truly I was inspired by them. This is where I found the desire to teach. Whether it was little kids or high schoolers I figured out this is what I want to do. Being a teenager is hard and it is such a crucial time in ones lives to be loved, and to know they are loved and cared for. Something I want to make sure all my kids know whatever age they are. Something I have learned about myself while in college and during my three months as a missionary is that serving to others and just being simply kind and joyful brings joy to my heart. Knowing at the end of the day, that I tried my best to bring joy to this one person and care for them in the best way I could consoles my heart. We don’t know everyone's story or what they might be going through, or what they might be going home too. But it's important to me, that while these kids are in my classroom, for the time being I want them to know they are safe, loved, valued, and cared for. As I study about creativity in my activities/ games/ drama class I have learned a lot on how important it is to include creativity within a classroom that the student enjoys and that the student focus’ a lot on their own creativity, not the teachers. This is something I defiantly want to include within my classroom. I want learning to be fun and not boring or stressful. I want to include fun creative games within my classroom that will help my students learn. I'm passionate about the schooling system in America right now. I don’t really agree what classrooms are doing with technology because I think it takes away creativity and is

very distracting. I think technology can be great in some situations within a classroom, but I also think it can be very harmful.

It may sound cheesy, but these students are our future. They will be getting our jobs and working after the next generation retires, so it's important to me that these kids not only have a firm education. Teachers dedicate a lot of time into their profession. Whether it is teaching in class, grading papers, making lesson plans, parent or teachers meeting, they are willing to do whatever it takes for their students to succeed. This is a deep compassion in one's heart and a deep desire I have. I plan to teach right after I graduate whether it be in a public school or private school. I’m not sure what age but wherever the Lord leads me, I will follow. My desire is to teach at a school with troubled kids whether it be right after I graduate or later in life. I want these kids and all kids to know that I do understand them and I and will listen to them. Teaching will not just be a job for me to make ends meet, it will be my vocation and mission.