Do what you love, Love what you do

Hi folks!

Since this is my first blog post, and the semester is just beginning, I wanted to take the time to introduce myself and allow you all to get to know me a little better.

I am a Junior studying Elementary Education at Gardner-Webb University.  I am from Winston-Salem, North Carolina and am the oldest of three children.  My family is very important to me and because of them, I am able to pursue my dreams.

I chose to attend Gardner-Webb University knowing that they had a strong School of Education and knowing I would be able to form those personal relationships with my professors.  I am confident that I will be equipped with the proper knowledge and skills to be a great teacher because Gardner-Webb University School of Education instills what they believe.  My goal is to be an inspiring teacher and this TEACHERS acronym outlines what it takes to master the art of being an educator:  T.E.A.C.H.E.R.S. (Transformative educators who are Engaging, Adaptable, Content-Driven experts that are Holistic, Experience based, and Reflective practitioners prepared for a successful career).  

An article that I found on educationnews.org simply proved the point that teachers are more than just teachers.  This article was discussing how a principle, who was also a committed Restorative Practitioner, from a middle school challenged her staff to really reach out to their troubled students.  Then, the article specifically focused on a student that was causing disruption in the classroom, Leon, and was one of the school's most troubled students.  After contacting his mother several times and trying to piece together the reasons for his misbehavior, they finally realized he needed glasses.  Leon had not been doing any of his school work because he couldn't see the board, or the fine print in his textbooks.  The RP team figured out a way to make purchasing glasses possible for Leon and his family.  From reading this article, I gained that it is important to know your students and understand what they are going through outside of the classroom because it will affect how they perform in the classroom.  Yesterday, one of my professors was introducing herself to the class and told us when she was teaching, she was once asked to give a job description and she started naming off "I'm a doctor, lawyer, teacher, etc.", and her point was that teaching is a profession that encompasses everything.  A great teacher goes out of their way to help their students succeed not only in the classroom, but in whatever they are involved in.

Teaching is so special to me because I once heard this quote and it has stuck with me ever since: "Teaching is the one profession that creates all other professions."  This is such a powerful quote because it reminds me how influential a teacher can be in one's life.  I know without a doubt that I am meant to be a teacher, and I accept the challenge to help as many students as possible succeed in following their dreams.  For me, there is no backup plan, teaching is where my heart is and that is what drives my performance and success!!