When the Student becomes the Teacher by Kathryn

When the Student becomes the Teacher by Kathryn - October 2016 Scholarship Essay

Learning is integral to life, as people possess a natural inquisitiveness that they seek to satiate, and in many instances, the student with this thirst for knowledge becomes the teacher. I am no exception, as I am a scholar in the fullest sense of the word, who strives to reach my greatest potential, to flourish as I study countless topics, reading anything that will inspire my curiosity and boundless imagination further. Above all, though, I intend to impart this sagacity upon others, to share my affinities through the gift of education, since I aspire to be a teacher and initiate a thought-provoking circuit of ideas and ingenuity. Were I to teach any subject (a rather challenging decision, due to the fact that my various interests catalyze my passion for numerous classes, from painting to nutrition), I would most certainly teach some variation of English, such as creative writing, but the apogee of the limitless, gratifying subject would be British literature (Oxford would be an ideal environment for instructing the class), because there is such a wealth of authors to be credited for exceptional works, with a broad multitude of dimensions to diligently analyze in this arena, whether one is intrigued by Victorian novels, Romanticism, or any other subgenres that would spark invested lucubration.
Not only is there a dizzyingly vast range of quintessential masterpieces from Shakespeare, to Jane Austen, to the indomitable Thomas Hardy, but there are innumerable gems of information to be dissected, unique messages associated with each that amount to unrivaled clarity on the part of the intrepid reader. For instance, fascinating themes like the rich history of Britain pervade such cherished literary treasures, as well as commendably anomalous, stylistic techniques that distinctly separate one writer’s voice from another, even in circles as tight as that of the Bronte sisters. There is so much to be lauded in regards to the cultural backgrounds and illustrious mannerisms of these British stories that distinguish them memorably from other regional narratives, details that I would certainly enjoy bestowing upon students, especially those who may not have harbored a prominent, developed appreciation for literature (British or otherwise). Books, words themselves, are not surface level (there’s a reason one cannot judge them on the singular basis of the cover), and I comprehend the relevance of looking beyond the mere print on a page, of absorbing the entire work that is rife with the effulgence of symbolism, resplendent components of figurative language, and all of the other “special effects,” that allow such books to endure the test of time, along with the fluctuating attitudes that characterize the world. Enthusiasm does not even begin to describe my demeanor towards written expression, the very art of concocting diverse, pulchritudinous stories. Therefore, I would want to share this passion for literature with students, particularly by opening their eyes to the inspiration behind books (both the obscure and internationally renowned, which may share the commonality of motifs pertinent to motivational factors like religion or nature), and by aiding them in discovering what they love, the driving force behind them (since by contemplating what inspired authors, they could subsequently realize their purpose), so that they could ultimately use their gifts to make an even greater difference in the world.
With that said, I hope to influence the students comprising the future, me being one of them, as I will doubtlessly learn much from either the brilliantly adept young adults in a college setting, or perhaps even elementary school children that I simply teach to read, forming the foundation for their academic joys and successes. Besides assisting them in learning to express the words that are the vivacious heartbeat resounding in each story, I will demonstrate to them how to truly see, to appreciate the incredible opportunities life (and the books guiding individuals through it), have to offer, the astounding worlds and doors every story opens for people, expanding their horizons to an unfathomable magnitude. Sparking hope in others is vital to me, no matter what I teach, because when one realizes the unparalleled value of preserving this virtue, and they sustain it, endless possibilities become available, with everything seamlessly falling into place, unraveling an entire universe, a journey replete with countless lessons to be learned, positive influences that transform viewpoints and alter the world for the better.