Class #1

Class last Friday was a great way to start off the course! Entering the class, I have to admit that I felt somewhat intimidated by the subject of technology, but also excited to make technology apart of my classroom. I hope that technology does not become a distraction for my students and I, but an aid in classroom discussions and lessons.

I also really enjoyed when everyone spoke about why they wanted to become a teacher. It was really inspiring to hear everyone’s stories. I thought it was great that Kristen and Jeff asked us to share those stories because I think that a lot of times, after teachers have been in the profession for a while they forget why they began to teach in the first place.

For this first blog, I want to elaborate on why exactly I want to become a teacher and not only that, but a role model in my student’s lives. When I was eight years old, I just started the third grade and came home one day in October only to notice a huge mass on the side of my neck. I had been wearing a turtleneck all day so no one noticed anything different from me. After a night in the ER and the following two days driving all over the state of Michigan to see specialists, it was determined that I had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma but a biopsy was necessary to be absolutely conclusive. After the biopsy, it was determined that I did indeed have Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and it was staged at level 3. The cancer had spread all over my body and into some vital organs; the doctors believed that the cancer had been growing for over six months.

The diagnosis did not look good and my treatment plan for chemotherapy and radiation was very intensive and lasted a little over a year. The doctors and the school told my parents that I would probably have to repeat the third grade when I was done with treatment because I would be missing so much school. I did end up missing most of the school year and probably would have had to repeat the third grade if it was not for my third grade teacher, Mrs. Clark. She is the most extraordinary person I have ever met. She would visit me at the hospital, bring me my homework, and make sure that I was getting everything done that I needed to so I could keep up with the rest of the class. I got packets a few times a week with all the work that my classmates were doing so I could get it done in the hospital and at my leisure. She went above and beyond any teacher I know. There is nothing in her contract saying that when something like this happens, she needs to make sure her students still pass the grade. She went above and beyond because she believed in me and believed that I could still do all the work I needed to get done. Without her support and help, I would not have passed the third grade or even had the outlook I do on school and the teaching profession.

Because of her, I want to become a teacher. I saw the compassion and the love she had for seeing success in students no matter what their circumstance is. I cannot think of a better profession than one that gives students hope and encouragement for doing things that they never thought were possible. If I can change one life like Mrs. Clark changed mine then all of this will be worth it.

I know that was long and definitely very “corny” and I know that most people probably are going into teaching with for many other different reasons, but I hope by writing this blog and reminiscing on the reasons for why I chose teaching as my profession, that I will not forget this one day. I hope that I will not be so caught up in life that I will forget about these inspirational reasons.