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I have always wanted to be a teacher. I grew up surrounded by education. Because both of my parents were teachers, I was lucky enough to see the behind the scenes look at teaching as a career. When I was young, I thought that being a teacher meant being in charge. As a teacher, I would get to tell all of my students what to do and they would have to listen to me because I was the boss. The first time I remember this idea of mine being challenged was when I read Miss Nelson is Missing, by, Harry Allard (1977). In this story, the students are rude and inconsiderate and the teacher gets so overwhelmed that she must disguise herself to get her students to respect her. This made me realize, for the first time, that as a teacher, the students would out number me.

As I continued to grow up, I kept thinking about teaching. I thought a lot about how I would be as a teacher and what my students might be like. It wasn’t until I got into high school that I started to realize that education involves more than just teachers and students. There are families, communities, cultures, and languages as well. The thought of this overwhelmed me and I temporarily changed my mind on my career choice.

By the middle of my first year in college, I came to my senses and realized that I was up to the challenge and that I could be a great teacher. I started focusing on education and tried to learn and experience as much as I could so that I would be well prepared for my chosen profession. When I graduated from college I moved to a different state and got married. My plans were put on hold for a few years. While taking a break from school, I volunteered at elementary schools and substituted.

It was while substituting that I came across two children’s books that have stuck in my mind. The first book was My Teacher for President, by, Kay Winters (2004). The adoration that the students have for their teacher in this book inspired me. I wanted to provide a positive role model for my students, much like the teacher in the book. The second book was This is the Teacher, by, Rhonda Gowler Greene (2004). The book is all about a teacher’s first day at school where everything goes wrong and she goes home exhausted. This book made me laugh a lot but it also made me think about how demanding a teaching job is. I frequently return to this book and think about how worthwhile all of my exhaustion will be.

It is from my parents, my childhood, my adulthood thus far, and the previously mentioned sources (among others), that I have formed the following beliefs about education:
* There are many different languages within our great country and all deserve a voice. In the classroom these languages need to be seen as being important to all. Instruction should use these languages as a way to educate the students and explore the world.
* Along with different languages, there are also many different cultures. One person cannot possibly know and understand every culture that he or she may come in contact with. A classroom is a wonderful place to explore these cultures and learn about them in a safe environment. They should drive instruction in such a way that all students are being heard.
* There exists a number of different communities that are a support system for students. There is a classroom community, a school community, city, state, country, and global communities. All of these communities include students, their families, and their teachers. They should be utilized to help educate not only students, but everyone in the community.

* Family can be the most helpful or most hurtful part of a student’s education. They should offer support. They are there to re-enforce what is being taught at school and to assist their child. Students rely on their families for so much that is not related to education. However, they also need their parents to be excited about what they are learning. A teacher also needs a parent’s honest communication about their child. No one knows a student better than that student’s family members.
* Students act as leaders and guides. They are in school to learn but they also teach their fellow classmates and their teacher about themselves, their culture/language, and any other experiences that are unique to them. We learn best as a community when all involved share. Students do that in the classroom.
* The teacher is also a guide. She is there to facilitate her students’ journeys through education. Along with guiding her students, a teacher learns with them and from them as well. She is a member of their community and participates in the group learning process. A teacher is not “the boss,” like I once believed. Rather, she is a community member that works with her students to help create the most effective, caring, and considerate learning environment possible.

References
Allard, Harry. (1977). Miss Nelson is Missing. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.

Gowler Greene, Rhonda. (2004). This is the Teacher. New York: Scholastic Inc.

Winters, Kay. (2004). My Teacher for President. New York: Scholastic Inc.

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