Professional Statement

Professional Statement

My desire to have a career in education started many years ago. However, I did not realize it at

that time. When I was a child myself, I looked up to many of my teachers and aspired to please

them and be like them. Many of my teachers in high school would allow me to co−teach some

of their classes, or completely take over their classes that I had already passed. While still in

school, I worked as a swim and gymnastics instructor. Even then, I did not fully realize my

satisfaction with teaching. I simply felt I was lucky to have a job that I enjoyed as opposed to my

friends who were working in fast food restaurants. As I got older and I started a family, I

decided to go back to college, but could not figure out for what. My mother was my inspiration.

She brought out thoughts and memories about my past. This made me realize what a strong

passion I always had for teaching.

I started courses in the educational field, and at the same time I started to work as a substitute

teacher. This is where the genuineness of my feelings toward education struck me in full force.

Substitute teaching changed my understanding of the education field. I found that I was drawn

to many aspects of education. When comparing the lessons learned from fellow classmates

who demonstrated impressive educational strategies and lesson plans when substituting, I was

able to come to a full realization of how a classroom should truly look, feel and be run. While

I was substitute teaching I was able to work with students of all ages, abilities, backgrounds and

ideologies. I had encountered what I felt were some unsatisfactory teachers which made my

desire to become an effective instructor even stronger. Those situations mixed with the positive

experiences I have obtained educated me on how a classroom needs to be dominated by

advanced concepts which are assisted by effective teaching strategies. These, combined with a

positive role model are significant for bringing out a greater instructional and social role in the

students. I hope that my current and future endeavors will allow me to become the teacher who

can achieve these goals which will increase both my students' and my own personal

development.

One day, I had an opportunity to work with students with special needs and realized my

insatiable need to help children of all abilities and needs. I was eventually hired on as a

teacher's aide because of my love for teaching, helping and working with students. I continued

working on my undergraduate degree while working as a T.A., which I have been doing for the

past three years. This experience enhanced my ability to effectively work