For six years now, I’ve worked with children of all ages. I started with Pre-K children, moved up to kindergartners, and then on to first graders, and now I work with second-graders. I also interact with children from the ages of 8 to 15 at one of my jobs, so I’ve pretty much experienced it all. There’s nothing I love more than the work I do because of what I have learned, who I have met and where it’s all going to take me.
For the past six years, I’ve worked for one branch of the YMCA where I’ve worked at the after school program during the school year, as well as my childhood day camp over the summer. At these two places, I’ve done so many different things with the kids that it’s hard to recount all of it. From helping with homework, to going on field trips, to helping with swim lessons, I’ve done it all. My day camp is my favorite place in the world, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Last fall, I started working for another YMCA branch closer to my college. Here, I work at a program very similar to the after school program at the other branch, but with underprivileged children and with a heavier emphasis on education. I help with homework, reinforce weekly lessons and tutor as needed. At first I was really nervous to start this job, but now I love it and the kids I work with, and I plan on staying as long as I can.
These two jobs have taught me so much about myself, children and teaching, and being an English Secondary Education major, this is really useful information. I’ve learned how to deal with more difficult children, which will prepare me for behavior and classroom management as a teacher. I’ve learned about all different kinds of children, which will be beneficial as I continue to meet unique children in my life. I’ve learned how to teach certain basic lessons and how to reinforce previously-learned information, which has obvious uses for an educator. These jobs have helped me grow in my current and future professions, and I’m so grateful for the experiences I’ve received.
Not only have I learned about teaching and children, but I have also learned about myself. I’ve learned how I am under pressure or frustration. I’ve learned what my classroom management style is and how I reinforce rules. I’ve learned how I like to structure my classroom and how I am with children. I’ve learned to be silly when it’s appropriate and firm when it’s necessary. I’ve learned that I will be a great teacher in the near future, and I hope I will be a great mother someday as well.
I’ve learned so much in these past six years without anyone truly being aware of teaching me. I learn from my kids every day, and that’s why I love them. I’ve been given so much teaching and management experience that will definitely help me once I have my own classroom. I’m now able to understand my strengths and weaknesses with children and acknowledge my own areas for improvement. I’ve learned that each and every child is unique and that something that works for one will not necessarily work for all. I’ve learned that kids need structure, but they also need downtime -- and so much more.
My jobs have played a tremendous role in who I am today, and I’m so thankful to work where I do. As a future teacher, I can honestly say that I don’t want to have a job that has nothing to do with children. And I’ll never have to have one. I’ll never work in retail or food service or customer service because I don’t have to. I’ll never have a job without children, and that makes me incredibly happy.
