As a child, I never liked to be hugged, especially by non-family members.

I never really
formed a bond with my middle and elementary school teachers. I was quiet, trying to escape
eye contact to be called on. I felt like a goldfish with mindless ideas. Not having the confidence
to speak in front of my peers and form my own opinions took a toll on my learning ability. With
teachers standing in front of the classroom, talking without allowing comments from the
students, all the information was to come in one ear and out the other. The beginning of my high
school experience was diminished by the Corona Virus and I was even more to myself than ever
before academically. Jumping on to the computer every morning, my teacher was just a face on
Zoom and I was another black screen. I never really knew what it was like to have a friendly and
welcoming relationship with a teacher.
Two years ago, I found a love for school through not just the information given to me but
how it was given to me. I started to actively learn and understand rather than memorize the
material. The word, “school,” didn't just mean sitting at a desk all day but being comfortable
enough to ask questions and incorporating hands-on learning into instruction. I found my
philosophy of teaching through the influence and aspirations of my present teachers. I have the
support I need mentally and physically and my self-esteem has increased through constant
motivation and push. Therefore, I hold my philosophy to understanding that the ability to learn
varies from one child to another and we must respect and acknowledge how everyone is
different. A child should not be afraid to speak out in the classroom but ask numerous questions
until the information clicks in their head. In addition, students should be able to share ideas with
their peers in a classroom environment and more hands-on strategies should be used in
teaching.
Being a part of the Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow program, I find that the second-grade
students I teach are excited when they don’t have to stare at a computer screen or complete a
printed worksheet. This was reflected in my lesson taught and instructed to the children. I
demonstrated the concept of finding mathematical solutions to arrays by the use of goldfish.
Every student created their own array with a handful of goldfish on each paper plate located on
their desk. Within five minutes and smiles on their faces, my name was cheerfully called to
check their work. Knowing that they were passionate and enthusiastic about learning warmed
my heart. Students enjoy learning, and the feeling can be taken away from them by depressing
styles of teaching over time.
This past year, I have had students tell me personal stories that they haven’t told anyone
else. I felt valued in knowing that these students feel comfortable and have relied on me. With
only being a part of the class for an hour every other day, I have built a connection with the
children in a special way. They look up to me as a “teacher” in assisting their individual learning
needs as well as fulfilling emotional support. A student with special needs in my class runs up to
me every day when I arrive to explain to me what they have accomplished since I have helped
her with understanding double-digit addition and subtraction. Another student with dyslexia calls
my name frequently in class to show me the stories he writes in his journal after we slowly went
through how to form a sentence. I am granted the opportunity to be a part of the start of their
journey in life and the foundation of their learning.
As life can take people on different paths, teachers are the starting guides to the future
for children. They build the bridge that the students must walk over. We are obligated to go to
school till the age of 16 because we must know how to function in modern society. But, how we
function in the modern society is based upon what we learn from the influential people in our
lives.
I strive to be a person with an influential impact. I strive to have a purpose in someone
else’s life. I strive to have someone reflect on their past and know that they have become the
person they are because of my positive and distinguished actions.