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Jared Robles

Mrs. Elizabeth Dupont

Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow

8 June 2017

Why I Want to Be a Teacher Essay

The American education system is an institution that continually presents arrays of

challenges to students, both in and out of the classroom. My four years of high school have

shown me the true intentions of mankind and the atrocities that many students face on a daily

basis. As I progressed in my studies, I began to want to help struggling students, while

continuing in the field of music. After much exploration and conversations with many close

teachers, I decided to pursue a teaching career so I could help provide support to all youth

academically, emotionally, and in their lives outside the classroom.

Academia is founded in that idea that students learn and retain material, for a subject is

not taught to be forgotten, but applied outside the four corners of a classroom. As a student in the

modern education system, I have often seen the diversion of class time for nonessential

distractions like assemblies and pep rallies. I believe that becoming a teacher can allow me the

opportunities to push back against these intrusions and allow students the maximum potential for

success. I also want to help students academically through individualization of instruction.

Before starting my internship, I was opposed to the idea of individualizing lessons and activities

for students; I believed it would eliminate standards for all students to reach. After seeing my

cooperating teachers use of online resources to help gauge and personalize instruction, I

reevaluated my ideas and found that students are very unique. Beyond the differences of

students, I came to believe that classes should not be based solely on standards and tests, but on
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individual growth and questioning. Overall, I want to help students academically by protecting

precious class time and individualizing lessons.

I also want to be a teacher so I can support students emotionally. As adolescents, students

face numerous social and emotional hardships. For some, there are no adult figures that they can

turn to for support. As a teacher, I hope to be welcoming and inviting to any student who may

need to talk. I feel that helping the mental well being of a student is just as important as their

academic performance, though it is often overlooked. Additionally, I want to create an

environment in my school that students are excited and comfortable to come to. Many times,

teachers unintentionally create hostile and overly anxious classroom environments. As a teacher,

I hope to create a productive space that also allows students to express themselves without fear

of retribution or humiliation. In conclusion, I want to help support students emotionally and

provide a safe haven.

Finally, I want to become a teacher so I can help students become productive citizens

outside of the classroom. Subjects are too often taught to meet standards and pass tests, but not to

use the material in the real world. As a teacher, I hope to not just meet standards and

administrative requirements, but empower my students with the knowledge and skills to apply

the subject outside of the classroom. I plan on giving realistic scenarios in assignments and

having students complete projects that require them to utilize recently covered material, like

finding the optimal way to wrap a present near Christmas. I also want to foster exploration,

curiosity, and an interrogative mindset. With instant access to information, I feel younger

generations are less likely to use critical thinking skills to find out a problem and instead resort to

web searching a question. I hope to help students learn how to find solutions to difficult topics
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without reverting to virtual assistance. Overall, I want to help students apply course material and

develop twenty-first century skills.

In the final analysis, I want to be a teacher so I can make small reforms and positively

impact the lives of my students. As a recent graduate, I have experienced the current state of the

American education system and know what needs to be reformed. I hope to use the hardships

that I went through to help prevent future students from going through what I did. Despite the

obstacles I may face, I feel that helping students academically, emotionally, and outside of the

classroom can help make the world a better place.