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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41 Responses to “When Did You Pick Your Path?”
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More Comments Pages: « 1 2 [3] 4 » Show All Comments
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.