Role Reversal by Emma
Emmaof Tumwater's entry into Varsity Tutor's October 2016 scholarship contest
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Role Reversal by Emma - October 2016 Scholarship Essay
Most students would be overjoyed to become the teacher. They would be invigorated by the power of sending students to the office or assigning homework. They would be drunk on the suffering of students or, even worse, allow them to do as they please. However, though teaching may look easy on the surface, it is a profession that is deserving of more respect than it is given. If I were to become a teacher, it would be in the field of mathematics or sciences due to my passion for the subjects, my knowledge and skills in the subjects, as well as my drive to enable students to achieve success in what are traditionally viewed as difficult subjects.
I love math and science. It is fascinating to see the connections between them. For example, a large portion of algebraic math is used in the sciences when computing data. Science is also such a broad topic. There are multiple aspects of the physical world to explore further, from the components of subatomic particles to oceanography to the study of the motion of objects. If you observe it or have wondered about it, chances are that there is a science class to study it. We, as humans, know so little about our universe and the life that inhabits it and the study of sciences is there to unlock those mysteries.
I am also skilled in these subjects. Currently, I am in AP Calculus A&B and I am on track to complete the course with an A. I have previously taken Pre-Calculus, Accelerated Algebra 2, and Accelerated Geometry during my high school career, earning an A in each course. I am in a similar position with various scientific fields. Currently, I am enrolled in an AP Biology and a Physics class and plan to finish them with an A. I have previously taken Honors Chemistry, Accelerated Biology, as well as Accelerated Physical Science, completing each course with an A. Thus, I have the mental capacity and skills required for these subjects.
Knowing and loving a subject, though important, does not guarantee the ability to teach others in those subjects. In the eighth grade, I was given the opportunity to be a teacher’s assistant for a first grade class at Roosevelt Elementary School. Some days, I would put up students’ work. Others, I would grade papers or help another student. At the end of this experience, my students gave me drawings and a shy “thank you”. That single moment was the one that inspired me to continue helping kids in academics, leading me to become a tutor for struggling math students. I have also helped my peers understand their own work when needed. In both of these instances, helping others understand was extremely rewarding to me. I gain satisfaction from helping just one person comprehend material that could lead to him or her becoming the next famous mathematician or scientist.
In working to discover how to make a light bulb, Thomas Edison found 2,000 ways that were not successful. He did not label them as failures, however, but rather as ways how not to make a light bulb. Much like Edison, I am determined to find a way to help kids achieve their higher potential while enjoying the topics being discussed. In my tutoring, I have accepted that challenge and, though there have been failures, there have been many more success stories. Math and science are two subjects I enjoy, have knowledge of, and are the subjects I would love to teach over any other. If the role of student and teacher were reversed, I would certainly give the job the respect it deserves, which seems to be lacking in today’s society. However, I will not trust atoms, as they make up everything!