From Student to Teacher - My Ten Year Plan by Hannah

From Student to Teacher - My Ten Year Plan by Hannah - March 2020 Scholarship Essay

The next ten years will be an exciting time of growth for me. I plan to attend a four year college and major in Early Childhood Education. I then hope to spend the next two years pursuing my masters degree, after which I will enter the classroom as an elementary school teacher. I believe the education I receive at the bachelors and masters level will prepare me to be a successful teacher who is able to make a positive impact in the lives of her students.

While I am pursuing my masters degree I intend to specialize in reading. This focus will give me a jumping off point for new programs I want to implement. I aspire to teach Kindergarten, the grade where students begin to unlock the magic of reading. Being able to read at an early age sets a child apart from one who cannot. Early literacy also sets students up for future academic success. The divide between early readers and those who struggle with literacy is one felt throughout a child’s school years. For this reason I hope to implement innovative programs focused on students of all socioeconomic classes and help them learn how to read, and read well. Another issue I want to tackle is parent education. Categories such as nutrition and discipline that are often hard for parents to grasp and could be easily explained by teachers who have an in depth knowledge about child development. Teachers have a unique opportunity to use their relationships with their students and their families to share information in a non threatening and non judgmental way. Because of this, when I enter the classroom I will implement regular family nights with parent classes aimed at educating caregivers on how to best help their children be successful.

Ten years is a long time, and I intend to make the most of it. By year ten I believe I will be experienced enough to be a mentor to novice teachers. It takes a village to raise a child, and a skilled village to teach a classroom full. I certainly do not have a crystal ball, and I know even the best plans can take a turn. Even if everything does not go according to the plan I envision for myself, I will find a way to become the best teacher I can. If I help even one child grow as a learner, I will know I have been successful.