Teachers Who Inspire
When it came to my career path, there was never a question about what I wanted to become. From the beginning, I knew I wanted to work in education. When people asked me what I wanted to do after high school and I said, “teacher,” you could see the look of disapproval on their faces. What I wanted to do was different than what people expected, and while it may not be the most glamorous career path, I want to work in an area that I am passionate about and positively impacts others. For years, being an educator has been looked down upon, but I didn’t care because I knew who I wanted to be.
When people think of teachers, they don’t always see a person. For many, teachers are just authority figures who give rules for students to follow. Participating in the after-school program I was able to see behind the scenes and gain a better understanding of all the responsibilities teachers take on. As a child, I watched teachers make copies, prepare lesson plans, and organize their supplies after the students went home. I was able to see the dedication and the passion other teachers had for their profession, which led me to fall in love with teaching. One of my fondest memories was when I finished my homework early and was given permission to help my teacher prepare for the next day. I felt cool knowing what we were going to do tomorrow. Instead of seeing an authority figure, I saw someone who loved doing what they did and knew I wanted to be a part of that community.
Many teachers have inspired and motivated me, but the one who stands out the most is Mr. Graham, my AP Government teacher for my senior year of high school. Because of him, I learned what it’s like to love what you do. He was also attentive to his students every need and offered help in any way he could. Senior year of high school can be difficult, as you are saying goodbye to everything you know and are slowly transitioning to adulthood. He went out of his way to proofread our essays and showed us all of the areas we could improve in. He helped me with my scholarship essays and his feedback had a huge impact on my writing. Without his help, I don’t know how I could have made it to where I am. Mr. Graham demonstrated to me the role educators have in molding young minds.
“These moments remind me why I teach — to inspire and educate.”
Inspired by other educators, it was no surprise when I applied to be a teacher intern in my last year of high school. Having the opportunity to work with 3rd graders was the best decision I ever made. I loved being surrounded by my students and working with them to develop their academic skills. My proudest moment was working with a student who had been struggling with math and with my assistance his mathematical skills improved dramatically. The teacher awarded the student with a certificate and it was then I realized the impact I could make. Although I am not working in a classroom this year due to the pandemic, I am virtually tutoring students through an organization named, Step Up Tutoring. With this organization, I work with a student one-on-one and by far my favorite moments are seeing them understand the subject material and know that they are learning more because I am helping them. I describe this feeling as a light bulb moment. These moments remind me why I teach — to inspire and educate.
Being raised by a single mother, I would hear people tell my mom that her daughters would not graduate high school and would end up pregnant, requiring them to drop-out and not achieve their goals. Hearing those comments drove me to work harder as I knew I could prove them wrong. In my early childhood education, I was not the best student. Not until middle school when I was part of the Top 10 did I understand the potential I had. I knew I was more than just a girl raised by a single mother. Coming from a low-income family and being a first-generation college student, I understand the pressure that comes with success, you always expect more of yourself. My mother is very happy that her daughter is attending university, so the pressure comes from me. There is a quote from the author, Angie Thomas, “Be a rose that grows in concrete,” which inspires me because it reminds me that regardless of my background, I can be someone who makes an impact. Being first-generation can be exciting and nerve-racking all at the same time, but one reminder I always tell myself is, “Your story matters, and there is someone out there who you are inspiring.”
It is the future moments in my classroom that I live for. I want to share my story with my students and inspire them to break barriers. To stand up for what they believe. To be a person who they are proud of being. Our educational system needs a lot of work, as not everyone receives the same quality education or guidance. Hence the reason why organizations like First Gen Empower exist, to help students get advice and prepare them for post-secondary education. As a future educator, I hope to work amongst my students and listen to their concerns about society and their education. Nothing matters more than making sure your students feel understood and seen which is why representation matters. Education is a collaboration between the teacher and the student where both learn from each other to become better people.
All my life, I have looked up to teachers and the inspiration they give to their students. It has been the teachers in my life that shaped me into who I am now and it is because of them that I do what I do with a smile on my face, helping others like others did for me. Like Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” educators are so much more than the subjects they teach, and I think it is time people realize that.
