Less Of A Contest & Engaged Teachers by Paige

Less Of A Contest & Engaged Teachers by Paige - October 2014 Scholarship Essay

Being able to describe the perfect classroom setting is freeing, because I'm able to find out for myself what I would like to see change. I would like to discuss two different things that I, personally, think would improve classroom settings by the thousands. First, I want a teacher that is engaged in my schooling, just as much as the next high school senior. Second, I would desire that our studies and schooling, as peers and friends, aren't a contest against each other, but rather a self-improvement.

First comes the teachers; I have had horrible school year experiences in certain classes because my teacher wasn't focused, prepared, or engaged, all of which are things that make up the best teachers. The teachers that slack off, do half work, and are lazy are the teachers I truly struggle with. What happened to the zest and drive of school teachers, who are just as passionate and desirous to teach about their field of subject as they were the first day on the job, 20+ years ago? It's difficult to find a teacher with that exhilaration, because they are very rare. I had one teacher who made the greatest impact on my life, and her name was Mrs. Workman. It was 6th grade at Legacy Elementary, and I got Mrs. Workman. She seemed pretty cool. First day, BAM, she hits us with words we'd never even heard before. She defined the words, made sure that all of us understood it and it's meaning, then moved along. She was amazing. What set her apart, though? Exactly what I just said a couple words ago: she made sure that everyone in the classroom understood, even the most shy kid that spoke as soft as a turtle waddles slow. That's the difference. That's what made it all the more enjoyable and downright better. No teacher compared, and no teacher ever will. Engaged teachers leads to better understanding, which leads to, ultimately, better and higher education.

Next is what needs to be applied, just as much: school is not a competition or a race of the brains. School is for self-improvement and education for a general group of people. What I dislike in a classroom is the social stigmas and stereotypes posted on my peers and myself; if you have glasses, you're considered "super smart," which isn't always true; if you're a football jock, you're an "world class idiot," which, again, isn't always true. We must must MUST give equal learning opportunities to the young woman in the glasses that's passionate about reading as we do the young man that shares an equal passion for the sport of football. It's equality. Although our brains honestly do work at different paces, we need to understand that giving everyone an equal shot at education is vital to our souls' survival.