As a little girl, I had no idea what I wanted to do when I grew up. I alternated between the usual things every little girl aspires to be: ballerina, actress, singer, queen of England (you know, the usual). But, I never actually had that one thing that I always knew I wanted to do. Little did I know, it was right in front of me the whole time.
I loved playing school in the summer time. I was always the teacher, and I always forced my little brother and his friends to be the students. I loved to pretend I was grading papers, writing on the blackboard and giving gold stars to good students. I ate that stuff up! I learned all of the things I was doing from the amazing teachers I had in school. Later on in life, I realized my true passion for teaching from, yet another, amazing teacher.
Now, I can sit back and think about all of the amazing teachers that helped me to discover what I wanted to do. So, this is a letter to all the great influences I’ve had that have made me want to enter this profession.
Dear Teachers,
I can think back to specific times that each and every one of you has inspired me. Maybe it was with an inspirational pep talk when I really needed it, maybe it was with the way you always kept me interested in what we were learning, or maybe it was with the way you handled yourself with a difficult student. Either way, everything you said and did while I was in your class had an impact on me, and I couldn’t thank you enough for that. When I think about the kind of teacher I want to be, I picture a great big mash-up of all of your best qualities. I hope that I can be as patient, kind, caring, helpful, and devoted as all of you were to me. I hope that someday, I can have students that look up to me as much as I look up to you. You have all given me something special to hold onto as I become a teacher, and for that, I am forever grateful.
When I get down on myself about a big project or a huge lesson plan I’m about to get graded on, I think back to all of you. Did you give up when things got tough? No, you persevered and now, you are better teachers for that. I think about how many times all of you got up on days you didn’t feel too well and came to school anyway (and still managed to make your lessons fun and engaging!). When I am working with children, I aspire to be as great with them as you all are, and it makes me work harder. I have a lot to live up to, but the high standards I set for myself are because of the great influences, like you all, that I’ve grown up around.
Sometimes, when someone asks me what my major is, and I tell them “education” they tell me some discouraging things. I’ve heard it all, from “That isn’t worth the hassle!” to “You’ll never get a job!” But I don’t let those comments get me down. I know what I want to do, why I want to do it, and what kind of teacher I want to be. Thanks to you guys, I have the confidence to shake off those negative comments and remember what it really feels like to know what I want to do with my life. I know that I will work as hard as I can to be the best teacher I can be.
Thank you for inspiring me, showing me what it’s like to love what you do, giving me advice, caring about me like I was your own child and always supporting me. I wouldn’t be doing any of this without you.
Love,
A Future Teacher
