Teaching is the One For Me by Michayila

Teaching is the One For Me by Michayila - February 2019 Scholarship Essay

My choice to become a teacher was not made lightly. This decision came from a long process of reflection about my purpose and what I truly want to do in life. I have chosen a career in education because I believe that it is one of the most important fields of work. I believe that teachers individually and collectively have the ability to change the world around them.
As an education major, I desire to become a teacher because I would like to give back to my community the education that has been bestowed upon me. My thoughts of becoming a teacher grow increasingly more clear daily, as I love to work with children. This has become evident through coaching the junior high basketball team at my middle school and spending time with my kindergarten buddy, senior year, both unique opportunities that gave me insight on working with and teaching children.
I realized teaching was my calling because of my many teachers. Even those who are not my own or have not taught me in a few years, have gone out of their way to help me. Had it not been for my teachers, I probably would not have made it through school. Through personal experience, I know that teachers play important roles in the lives of the students they encounter as they push us to be the best versions of ourselves and help us discover our gifts and how to use them.
I was lucky enough to have many passionate teachers that instilled in me a thirst for knowledge and love for reading and writing. They made literature come alive. More importantly, they made a difference in my life. They impacted what and how I learned every day in the classroom, and their encouragement and nurturing helped me reach goals.
Seattle University was an easy choice. Their commitment to the education of the whole person and the great teaching program they have are going to help me reach my goals. In the curriculum, they include many service-learning and community engagement opportunities.
As I am continuing my college degree, I have chosen to work at Washington Middle School in Seattle, Washington. This job allows me to gain valuable experience, tutoring and mentoring students, as my ultimate goal is to teach middle school English.
When I graduate from college and start teaching, I want to spend my summer vacations working with special education children in my community and traveling to foreign countries to teach English. My teachers fostered, in me, a desire to learn, and I want to share that same experience with others. Ultimately, I want to go back to Alaska and teach in the place that has taught me far more than just the required curriculum.