Undergraduate / PS/ never imagined that I will become a teacher; Choice of teaching career [3]

TOPIC: Describe and explain the factors that have influenced your choice of career.

I never imagined that I will become a teacher. During college, I avoided the topic. During academical counseling, I always said no to teaching. Nothing will push me to become a teacher. However, I finally decided to try teaching. There are major factors that have influenced my choice to become a teacher and how it had an impact on my future. It all started with the first job I took.

After I graduated from California Polytechnical State University Pomona, I immediately received a job offer to teach children with autism. I discovered while working one-on-one with children with autism that I liked working, teaching, and playing with them. They were amusing. There were times when they accidentally tripped, bumped into the wall, or broke their toy favorite that I cried with them because of their pain or laughed the worries away. I also realized I felt rewarded and inspired to prepare better lessons when I see my students progress academically. The students' progression was a good for them but was sad for me because my student and I created this invisible bond. Therefore, it was hard to see them graduate and move on without me.

Being able to teach children with autism gave me the hunger to further develop my skills. This experience led me to learn more and to further developed my skills to teach to a group of students in my church. Moreover, I was willing to learn from my mistake and learn from other experienced teachers to teach better, how to get a group of students to focus on the lesson, and what is the best method that students will remember what they learn.

I developed the skills to become a better listener, understanding my students, and become knowledgeable with the learning materials. With teaching children with autism gave me joy and love that I want to spread my knowledge among children that I see in my church, in my community, and even those who are wondering on the streets. Therefore, with these new found qualities, I had the desire to go back to school and get a teacher credential.

After recalling the time I avoided the word "teacher" puzzled me. Maybe the reasons are I lacked the responsibility to be knowledgeable, be vocally articulate, and to have compassion for children. Obviously I am mistaken and am qualified to be a teacher. What changed my mind is through the factors of me caring for the students, experiencing the joy of teaching, and watching the students improve. Therefore, I am determined to achieve this goal without regrets because these children needs a teacher.