At the beginning of this year, I was dead-set on going to college to become a classically trained musician. I wanted to be a performer. Yes, it was not the most financially stable job in the world, but it had always been my dream to sing opera on a big stage like the Metropolitan Opera. Before college, my voice teacher was the one who convinced me that I was good enough to even think I could make it that big.

She had always been very supportive of whatever I wanted to do. Before meeting her, I had no idea what I wanted to do, and even though I knew I had time, it made me incredibly anxious. I knew I wanted to do something in the music field. I also wanted to venture into the theater world because I liked the behind-the-scenes work of lighting and sound. But in all honesty, I had no idea what to do. I leaned on my voice teacher through all of this. She talked me through the process of becoming a performer since that was what she was. The more she talked about it, the more it interested me and that excited me. I started to look into that type of program at my top college choices. I auditioned at all of them and I got into every program I auditioned for. I knew this was my future path. However, once I actually got to college, I did not feel settled. I started observing at my alma mater, where my high school music teacher let me help out with rhythm practice and let me lead sectionals. I loved it. I felt like I really could connect with the students on their level and teach them something even though I was not a certified teacher. To add to it, I have always been really good with kids and I truly enjoy being around them. This was a wake-up call for me. I could be a teacher.

I spent this semester just learning as much as I could about getting a music education degree. I enrolled in a class that placed me in a school around this area to observe a traveling high school and middle school teacher. Sitting in with my host teacher and her students has definitely taught me that I have what it takes to be an outstanding teacher. It made me think back to my teachers throughout my time in school. When I was in high school, I had teachers who taught me life lessons, not just the school subject. For tough situations, I want to provide a safe space for students. I want to be someone they feel like they can lean on when they have no one. I want to be approachable. I want to be the teacher all students rave about, who not only teaches my subject well but who also is relatable and fun. There is a correlation between learning and fun.

After I started observing, I started paying attention to my teachers and how they were teaching me. I am very lucky in the way that I get to see both sides. I get to see the teacher perspective and the student perspective. To be completely honest, it has been the most enlightening period of my life. I want to be a teacher now because I want to inspire and encourage students the way my teachers have inspired and encouraged me. At this point in my life, I am not really sure of how I am going to do that. I have a passion for music. I want students to have that just like I do.

I have learned so much from my host teacher. Not just on how to be a great teacher either. We've talked for hours about resumes and ways to make myself look desirable for schools after college. We've talked about stories of crazy band parents and funny experiences she's had when she's taken her band on trips. She's even given me advice on how to approach some of the strange music methods class you're required to take as a music education major. She helped teach me that I had what it takes to me a good teacher. I not only gained a wonderful role model for me, but I gained a lovely friend. And one I'll keep around for years to come.