When Did You Pick Your Path?
Posted by Jen Bragg on 17 Jul 2009 | Posted in: Inspiration and Motivation, Teachers and Teaching
The question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” seemed to pop up frequently when I was younger. Sometimes it was posed by a teacher for a writing assignment, and other times it was asked by a classmate seated nearby at the lunch table. Once or twice, I’m sure it was an inquiry made by a distant relative. What was my number one answer? A teacher. It always seemed like the natural choice to me. And with the help of my family, I even had my own little classroom set up in our basement. It had a large chalkboard to write on, an old-fashioned student desk (my mom bought it at a yard sale when we lived in Illinois), and tons of stuffed animals to teach. I even had some math workbooks my older brother made for me. (Using carbon paper, he duplicated pages and bound them in file folders—as a youngster in the ’70s, I thought them pretty fancy!) It was tons of fun, and even though I considered other careers during my teen years, when it was time for college, education was still my top choice.
What about you? When did you decide that teaching was the profession for you? Has it been a lifelong interest or did you discover it later in life, after dabbling with other careers? I’d love to hear from you!
Congratulations to Audrey in Pasadena, California. She is the winner of a copy of 500 Classroom Tips, Grades K-1 in our weekly blog drawing.
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I always wanted to be a teacher but I thought every girl wanted to be a teacher or a nurse in the late 60’s early 70’s. I married right out of high school and five years later began our family. I began working as a paraprofessional at the school my children attended after our last child was born. I worked with some great teachers who encouraged me to go to college. I told my husband and he said, “Go ahead if you want to.” Much to my surprise I began at a community college - one class at a time - and picked up more classes each semester. Learning how to balance family, work, and school was a challenge but thanks to my husband who helped out with our three children. I graduated six years after I started classes and had my degree in Dec. after I turned 40 in April. I am now in my 14th year of teaching and loving it so much. I firmly believe having my children see me going through school and getting my degree encouraged them to go on also. We now have a teacher, a lawyer, and a police officer! My only regret is not going to school sooner so I could teach for more years. I love it!
I’ve known since I was 8 years old that I wanted to be a teacher. I have three brothers and two sisters who were really tired of playing school by the time we reached our adult years. They knew I always wanted to be a teacher, too. However, I got sidetracked having babies (we have 8 children) and did not go back to college until I was 40. At last, I got to be a teacher at 43. I love it.
I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. At first I thought I would be a Math teacher, but Calculus did me in! I then went into Elementary Ed. and I’m so glad I did! I’ve taught every grade from Preschool through 8th grade, but I must admit, I LOVE the little ones! After teaching Preschool for three years, which I absolutely had the BEST time doing, I will be teaching Kindergarten in the fall. It will be interesting to see how far my Preschoolers have come and to prepare them further for their future.
As a young woman, my first career was to be a licensed nurse. But when I had children, I hated leaving them to go to work and I was always tired when I got home. I am a people person, however, and as my children were growing I found myself volunteering in their activities such as Girl Scouting, Boy Scouting, and religious education. I wanted to go back to work when they were in school and I took a job as a paraprofessional. I loved being in the classroom and began taking classes to become a teacher. Working, going to school, and raising a family was tough but the life experience has made me a better teacher, attuned to all aspects of a student’s life as well as a parent’s life. I never regret my career change. I love being in the classroom.
A high school English teacher told me after giving a demonstration speech that I would make a good teacher. As I tried to choose a major in college, everyone said to not go into education because there were no jobs (early 80’s). When a friend in college who was an elem. educ. major told me all the fun and interesting things she was doing in her methods classes and in the classes she was observing, I knew that there wasn’t anything else I wanted to do. I have never regretted the path I chose.
I knew in 3rd grade. I wanted to be just like my teacher:) She was wonderful!!!
I always thought that I didn’t have the patience to be a teacher until I got a part-time job in college working with a Reading program through a local district. After being with them for 3 years, I realized how much I loved making a difference in a child’s life. That was the first job I had where I actually thought I made a difference in the world and wanted to continue.
I knew that I wanted to become a teacher when I was in the 2nd grade. I also knew that I wanted to work with children that had special needs. We had a fellow classmate who was physically challenged and I really enjoyed being around and helping him. So I majored in special education in college and loved it! I have just completed my 18th year of teaching at the same school and wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world!
Wow… many of you have had a clear path straight to teaching. I didn’t decide on being a teacher until I was 30 years old, and in my 3rd year of college. I had my daughter just then, and I went into teaching thinking.. ohhhh the summers would be great to have off with my daughter.
Little did I know that teaching is the hardest but most rewarding career choice. I am thrilled to be a first grade teacher. My first year of teaching was not all that it was cracked up to be. I survived, after working 70 hour weeks for 40 weeks and crying in my Cherrios each Monday and Friday. However, by the end of the year to see my students blossom into wonderful READING….. 2nd graders was very rewarding.
As I look upon my 2nd year as a First Grade teacher.. I am inspired by my first class, knowing that this year is going to be better, challenging and very rewarding!
Isn’t it funny that so many of us have always wanted to be teachers. I used to play school for hours! I have always wanted to be a teacher. Now, I have my wish. My girls come to school with me and it is great to see their love of teaching. They both play school and want to be teachers when they grow up…we will see:)
When I was a 2nd grader, my best friend and I would take turns. One day, we would play school and I was the teacher. The next day we reversed and played house and housewives. Many years later, at our 30 year school reunion, she said to me, “Well, we both got to do what we wanted to do!” She was so right.
My fourth grade teacher introduced me to the magical world of reading. She read Charlotte’s Web to the class. My parents were divorced that school year…prior to that they would fight almost every night. We didn’t have any books at home and I remember asking Mrs. Shirk if I could take Charlotte’s Web home. She, of course, said yes. Whenever my parents would fight, I would get in a safe place (corner, closet, whatever) with my younger brother or sister and I would read aloud Charlotte’s Web so “they” wouldn’t get so upset (or me.) Reading became my “out.” A way to escape.
I did not become a teacher until I was married to my second husband. We did not have children (and didn’t want any) and he began asking me what I wanted to do with my life. I told him I always wanted to teach. He asked me what I was waiting for. He said, “Go to the college and see what you need to do.”
I told him about how when I asked about college as a teenager my dad said, “We’re not college people.”
My husband said, “You are now!”
I said, “It takes four years to become a teacher!”
He said, “So…”
I said, “But I will be almost 40 before I finish college!”
He said…”Aren’t you going to be 40 anyway?”
I laughed and he said, “So why not be 40 and a teacher!”
Now here I am, 51 years old and about to begin my 13th year of teaching. I absolutely love to teach. It was the best thing I have ever been talked into doing!
All I ever wanted to do was be a teacher. I was the child who when my teacher cleaned out old supplies and I got to take some home they became my treasured possessions.
My mom taught the preschool program at my church on Wed. Nights and I loved helping her prepare and sometimes helping her teach.
When the time came for me to go to college there wasnt any doubt in my mind that I wanted to teach. It wasnt until my senior year (while student teaching) did I fall in love with early childhood. My first teaching job was 3rd grade but I am happy to say that this will be my second year teaching kindergarten and I couldnt be happier.
All through elementary and junior high school, I wanted to be a Veterinarian. I was an avid reader of all of James Herriot’s books. I was in charge of pilling our cat, and keeping his wounds clean and scab-free. However, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 and Chemistry really kicked my butt. I knew that I would have to be content with loving my pets and seeing that they were well loved and cared for. I graduated from college with a degree in Christian Education. I planned to work as a director of Christian Education in the United Methodist Church. The man I married was also a DCE in a small town. Since we could not both work as DCE’s in our shall town, I went back to school to complete coursework towards getting my teacher certification. I was about 55 or 60 hours away from getting certifed in early childhood and primary. I have to say that one of the things I have enjoyed the most about teaching is reading to the children. This August, I will start my 22nd year of reading to the kiddos.
Like many of you, I always wanted to be a teacher. Love children, started spending time with the little ones in the church nursery, taught swimming at the Y from the time I was 9, you get the gist. While in college, I knew that I wanted to be a Kindergarten teacher. However, upon graduating, there were very few jobs so I took a 5th grade position. Bounced around in 5th and 6th grade for 14 years, then was able to drop to 1st grade. The first time I expressed an interest, my principal didn’t really listen - had someone in mind for the spot. The next year I asked again, and a week later he called me in and said, “You really did train for early childhood!” 14 years in 1st - then had to move to 4th due to drop in numbers. Two months into that year in 4th, and I sat in on a board meeting where they talked about NH finally mandating public K! (we were one of 10 districts in the nation that didn’t offer it) Board decided to do it the following year even though they had at least two before they had to - low and behold, I got it! Had the time of my life last year and told the administration that they’d need a bulldozer to get me out of there! My husband just said to me, “Do you realize how lucky you are to do something that you love?” Boy, do I!
I knew I wanted to be a teacher since I was in the second grade. Mrs. Moore was my Kindergarten teacher and then she was my second grade teacher. She was also my brother’s teacher and when I was in the 8th grade I was able to come help her in her classroom. We were always doing fun projects and activities. I was having so much fun, I did not realize I was learning. I could not wait to go to school each day. At the end of second grade I knew I wanted to be a great teacher just like Mrs. Moore and I never really faltered from that dream. Here I am today teaching second grade and loving every minutes of it. Thank you Mrs. Moore!
I have always dreamed of being a teacher, but I recall having many dreams for many jobs. Yet, teaching was something I not only dreamed of, but played regularly. I did not however realize I would start my career teaching handicapped students and enjoy it for over ten years before I re-entered regular education for my final years of teaching. It has been a wonderful ride of many different sorts if you will. The experiences alone have been a grand adventure. I wish I could write them all down to share, but instead I retell these stories to those who will let me share them. I think people are born to teach as we are born to do whatever our great gifts are that we are given. I hope we all continue to do what we love and love what we do no matter what that may be. Best for the years to come to all. Thank you for sharing your stories and listening to others. I love your products continue the wonderful works.
My mom was an elementary teacher since she was 18 years old. She taught in a one room school house. After she had us, she stopped teaching for a while to raise us but would substitute teach at the school we attended in town. The school I attended had K-12. When my mom went back to teach, she, once again, taught in a one room school. She had students in grades 1-8th. When she had school and we didn’t, we would go along with her to visit. To me it was amazing how she taught all of those grades and kept discipline as well with so much patience. Her students loved her and would have to give her a hug when they saw her even outside of school and also when they grew up. My sister and I would help mom put up bulletin boards and do other things for her classroom. It never occurred to me that I was going to be anything else but a teacher. When one of the one room school houses closed, Mom and Dad bought three desks and put them on our porch. I played school most every day with the neighborhood kids. If they couldn’t come over, I had invisible students. It was just big part of my life. I have completed 35 years of teaching so far and will be retiring soon. I always told myself that if I didn’t love going to work, I would quit. That never happened. I still love it. It’s a “job” that never gets boring. I have had some challenges in those years but they never frustrated me. I would bounce right back because there is just so much responsibility in shaping our youth more than ever before. I am also Lead Teacher because we have no principal in our building so I need to be someone who is there for the rest of the staff and keep us all positive and working for our students. My years as a teacher have been soooooo worth it!
It is interesting reading all the comments. I had no idea when I was younger that I wanted to be a teacher. In fact, my mom started me in kindergarten at age 4 and in the second grade my parents decided to hold me back because I was just not ready. I went to a parochial school and my first & second grade teachers encouraged my parents to do so. It was the BEST decision they made! When I started college, I thought I was going into accounting! NO WAY after the first semister! I thought hard about teaching and since my sister was a teacher already, and I was helping her out on my days off of college, I knew this was my calling. I have been teaching for 20 years now. Times have changed and curriculum has REALLY changed. I love my job. It’s funny sometimes to see and watch how strategies change and some come back.
My career path was never clearly defined. I wanted to be nurse, or lawyer….or maybe join the Peace Corp. In college I studied art, design and Child and Family Development. After two years at the University I married and started a family. Twelve years later I started working at a Children’s Learning Center and decided to return to school.
My career path then just seemed to open up in front of me. I loved being a preschool teacher, Program Coordinator and Director. Teaching young students is still the very best work that I can do. It brings me great joy to spend my day with children.
My best friend in first grade was the daughter of our teacher. We used to get all her old basals and teach imaginary friends. We had so much fun! Then in fifth grade I would stay in from recess and help the kids that were struggling readers…..I thought I was hot stuff! LOL So naturally I had to be a teacher when I grew up. I have done it for eleven years now, and I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!
The one thing I was sure of above all else when I was younger is that I could be anything except a teacher. It was the only thing in my mind that I positively could not do. I always respected and liked my teachers, and found their work to be amazing… but I didn’t have the patience. I decided to go into political law.
My first year of college, I came down with mono and was forced to leave school. The day after I came home, I was in a car accident and broke my leg.
I laid on the couch for a year while my leg healed.
I had a lot of time to think about what was important to me. When I started to look for a job to help me put myself through school, I applied for everything. Everyone in my life had commented on how good I was with kids, so I sent my resume to a preschool or 2.
I got a job in-interview and have worked at 3 preschools (toddlers through K) and have found a passion for work that I didn’t know was possible.
(as for my lack of patience– I now work with 2s… whoda thunk?)
I knew I was going to be a teacher ever since I was a little girl. I had a chalkboard too, and lots of stuffed animals all in a row. I was determined that they would be the smartest stuffed animals ever.
However, when I entered my freshman year of college, I had a change of heart and thought I would own my own children’s clothing store. Well, that changed fast, right after I took an accounting course. YIKES!!!
I knew my major would be in elementary education, and I have been in the teaching field now for 16 years. I love lower elementary, and I plan on having fun teaching and learning with children for as long as I can.
When I was younger I was torn between becoming a vet or a teacher. When I became a aunt at the age of 13, I found that I loved to be around children. It became so simple for me to decide what to be when I grew up. I feel that being a teacher is what I was always meant to be. I cannot imagine doing any other job. For the past few years I have been working as a substitute teacher. It makes me long to be back in the classroom. I miss making connections when the students and watching them grow and learn throughout the school year.
I remember my kindergarten teacher like I was just there. She seemed to have such fun and was so put-together. I recall kindergarten as the year I decided to become a teacher. My interests expanded over the years, but the desire to teach never left me. I can’t imagine any other career!
I love reading everyone’s comments. I never imagined I would become a teacher — but I was always great with kids. After I had my kids and they started going to preschool, and I would help I began to wonder if that is what my calling, after mom of course, would be. I love it!! I actually went back to school, etc. Which was a very neat experience as well. Preschool is where it is at for me and I cannot imagine doing anything else!!! Too bad the pay isn’t where it is at too — but I get so much other stuff from my job!!
I was reading over the other posts, seems everyone wanted to be a teacher as a child. I was not one of them,however. I wanted to be a nurse and a mother.
I did become a mother but not a nurse.
I decided to become a teacher later in life after my own children were nearly grown and on thier way.
I was always an informal teacher, Sunday School, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Sports Coach, PTA Mom, and so on. Often I was told I was a natural teacher, I suspect most moms are but did I want to teacher for living? I went back to school and started tutoring and decided yes this is for me at this point in my life. I really enjoy my job and being with the children.
Growing up I was more likely to set up a courtroom in my bedroom than a classroom. I had always been fascinated by the law and wanted to be a lawyer when I grew up. Then I had children!!! I set up a homeschool in my house to prepare my children for school and to keep them sharp over the summers. When the profession I had chosen didn’t work out for my family I began looking for another profession that would fit into my schedule but also make me happy. A friend suggested working for a daycare. I did some research (the legal training coming to the forefront) and discovered that I could do what I do with my children with other children. So I went back to school received an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Development and began working as a substitute teacher in a headstart. That was all she wrote. I love teaching little minds and preparing them for kindergarten and behind.
As an elementary student, I decided I wanted to be a Phys. Ed. teacher. We alternated PE days with the other elementary school in my town. I could not wait for our PE days! I looked up to the two PE teachers I had, and decided that was what I wanted to do. This dream continued as I attended middle and high school. I did, indeed, become a Phys. Ed. teacher/Coach upon completing college. I did that for several years, then went into the classroom, where I continue to teach. Phys. Ed./sports are still a love, but I also love being a classroom teacher in the best school around.
In the 3rd grade I had a teacher Miss McCloulah. This was in the 40’s in San Francisco, CA. I could hardly wait to go to school. Everyday was so exciting. She made learning fun and had all kinds of hand on experiences for us. I knew I was going to be a teacher and make learning exciting and fun for my children.
I have wanted to be a teacher ever since I was little. I had my classroom in the backyard. I had a chalkboard, my neighbors and siblings were my students. I even made worksheets of puzzles and math problems. We also had spelling bees. I taught Sunday school when I was in the 11th grade. (my youngest sister 10 yrs younger was in my class) I made word searches and cross word puzzles to go along with bible stories.
I have wanted to be a teacher ever since I was a little girl. I loved to set up my dolls and teddy bears and teach them. I would get out a book and do a shared reading, asking questions when needed. I never steered away from being a teacher, I loved working with kids and it made me happy. I did have a list of different items I wanted to try while being a teacher. I can remember when I went off to college I received a scholarship for teaching from my high school. After my freshman year someone asked me if I was going to stick with teaching. It really made me think, what else would I want to be? I still love teaching and working with kids.
I knew I was going to be a teacher since first grade. My first grade teacher really made an impact on me. Since then, I have watched my teachers, looking for positive qualities in them that I would eventually emulate. I remember teaching my younger sisters “school” in the summer time. I found child care related jobs when I was younger- babysitting, daycare, and summer camp. I am now going into my third year teaching, and I am happy with my chosen profession.
I had the most amazing kindergarten teacher, and I wanted to stay in her class forever - so much so that I declared to my first grade teacher that wasn’t growing up and I needed to go back to kindergarten! Of course, that didn’t happen, but my passion and desire to be back in kindergarten never wavered. During one particularly frustrating school project, while crying and screaming that I wanted to go back to kindergarten, my Mom simply said, “Well, when you grow up, you can be a teacher and spend the rest of your life in Kindergarten if that’s what you want to do.” It was then, at the age of 8, that I declared my college major. I have never wanted to be anything else!
I’ve wanted to be a teacher since I was in first grade. My first grade teacher taught me to read and opened my world! She was my inspiration! I’ve taught for over 30 years and every summer I’m ready to go back to school and learn, I mean teach!
Well… since you asked…. I come from a family of educators. My mom was a classroom teachr, a gifted teacher, a supervisor of curriculum and my dad was a classroom teacher, a principal and then an Ast. Superintendent of Schools. Both of our parents said that being a teacher is a very rewarding professtion that they are in the field of education for the love of the profession, not to get rich. My sister and I said always said that being a teacher is not for us. I can’t say that I knew when I was a child that I would be a teacher but thinking back, I am remembering certain things that may led me to it. For example, during elementary school and high school my best friend and I would pass notes to each other (I know… that’s not allowed) and I always edited her notes. I guess that was the beginning of my wonderful journey as a teacher. As for my sister, she was in the business field making LOTS of money and decided to give up it up and become a kindergarten teacher. I guess I will have to admit that my parents were right (but don’t tell them I said that :>). I teach 6th grade and I absolutely LOVE IT! I wouldn’t do anything else in life.
I have had many awesome teachers. I would play school with my sisters when I was younger. Teaching has always been my dream career. I love working with kids and helping them learn. During my junior and senior years in high school, I had the opportunity to spend an hour and a half each day for a semeseter at the elementary school as part of a career exploration class. The teacher that I had in first grade asked me if I wanted to come back and work in her first grade classroom. I was so excited! She is an amazing teacher and I have learned so much from her. She really is my inspiration and motivation to become a teacher. We had so much fun working together. I would spend other free periods in her classroom and during college, I would find any opportunity possible to go back and help in her classroom. This past school year was my first year teaching and I was so fortunate to have a job in the elementary school that I went to myself. Teaching has always been my dream job and teaching in my own elementary school is even better.
When I was younger, I was always asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, and I always said, “a teacher.” I would use my bedroom as a classroom, set my barbies up in assigned seats and teach them. As I grew older, my friends would come over, and we would all play school. We all took turns playing teacher and children. When I was ready to start college, my number one pick was education. I made all my teaching games, made up my own worksheets and P.E. games when I was doing internships. That all carried over when I started my student teaching. When I graduated, I applied everywhere. I was a preschool teacher at a daycare for six years. Then, I went into a Headstart program, which I am currently at and have been with for three years. Now, I have a teaching lisence in Elementary Education K-6. Even though, at the time, it is hard to find a teaching job, I am still looking forward to going into the classroom to see what kind of students I will meet. I always get excited when starting a new year. I can’t wait to use new ideas and interacting with the children!
I have known that I wanted to be a teacher since I was about ten years old. I would play school with my stuffed animals in my room. I love the idea that you get to start over at the beginning of every year! It gives you a fresh new start. I don’t know of other jobs that allow you to do that. Teaching allows me to use my creativity. How you taught last year may not work the next year or the next because children are so different and the dynamics of the class are always different. Your class is not always the same each year and I enjoy that!
I’ve always known that teaching was my vocation. I remember playing teacher when I was little with all of my dolls and stuffed animals. In elementary school I remember declaring that I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up, regardless of who asked the question! At the end of high school, although I chose my University courses to keep my options open, I always kept in mind that I wanted to teach. As most people often do in University I questioned what I would really be happy choosing as a life-long career. Upon graduation, I knew in my heart that teaching was still my calling. My supervisor in Grad school turned out to be my sixth grade teacher and she was thrilled to see that I had continued on the path to become an educator. I ended up graduating with my Masters of Science in Teaching, and this fall it will be my second year teaching in Harlem, NY! (I’m originally from Canada!) This profession that I have chosen has, and I’m confident will continue to be, both such a demanding and rewarding life-long teaching and learning experience!
I first knew I was supposed to teach about 7 years ago when God really led me to lead an AWANA Cubbies class on Wednesday nights at church(Preschool age children). All my life I had no idea how much I loved kids, but how much I also really loved teaching! It lets me use my very best gifts and talents in a way that doesn’t make me crave constant praise and the spotlight (oh yeah, I was going to be an actress before this happened =O) but it satisfied some deep desire to communicate what I had to tell. It has led me to quit my job in the medical field this past year( before that, I did some acting, managed a wallpaper and home decor store, worked as a medical secretary, patient care tech on a maternity center, and an anti Tobacco activist for the State), and moved into full time ministry, which has been a huge blessing to my family. Our church now has a preschool and childcare ran by yours truly, and I can’t say enough how different this has been from anything I have ever experienced. I led my first VBS (Vacation Bible School) and still get to use those fun theatrical skills on a daily basis with the kids. My husband and I have also been unsuccessful at getting pregnant for 9 years, and this ministry has blessed us with many more children than we could ever have imagined. God has really blessed us more than I can say through teaching, and it all started with a one hour volunteer teaching gig at church!