Why I Want to be a Teacher

The most profound impact in my life thus far has been the guidance of some of my most devoted and demanding teachers; the educators that weren’t afraid to take risks, step outside the box, and be accessible significantly contributed to the caring, intelligent being I am today. In this essay, I will provide my analysis of the three of the strongest Democratic Ideals that provide the framework for successfully enacting beneficial teaching strategies for the students of today. I will discuss the importance of a commitment to diversity, dedication to content knowledge, and an enthusiasm for creativity and my goals for growth in these categories.

First, a teacher dedicated to diversity who places a great amount of energy in cultural sensitivity is complying with the most important Democratic Ideal (Educating Illinois). To implement and make a commitment to diversity is to be in accordance with today’s ever-changing global society. For my classroom, this will be an increased utilization of nontraditional texts from different sub-cultures, non-dominant ideologies, and non-white genres. This is paramount to the students and the community and also for the sake of the future of education. Spreading new ideas and culture instead of the same careworn, white, patriarchal discourse we have all encountered will enrich students with more agency while likewise allowing these ‘outside’ texts to contribute to today’s dialogue. Such an action in the classroom will prove eminent in empowering the increasingly diverse educational field. Similarly, another personal goal as a teacher will be my welcome attitude to different student experiences and my encouragement of students to share these.

Secondly, the impact that teacher content knowledge can implement is central. This means that teachers must be overly proficient in their subject area and able to approach the material from different angles. There must be versatility in the way a teacher can articulate and reevaluate ways of reading the text or viewing the issues. My ambition is to do research, apply new critical theories to classroom texts, create a discourse among my fellow teachers regarding my target field, and evaluate student needs and interest in order to select texts that will speak to students. For example, if my students are all in a certain socioeconomic group, I would study texts of a genre of books that would meet my students’ real life concerns and intellectual needs. In an adolescent fiction class, I would integrate a novel that would challenge the idea of the ‘traditional nuclear family’ and encourage students to journal about their own home situations, connecting their experience with that of the novel’s protagonist. To be proficient in all forms of language will be my goal, therefore making me an excellent teaching candidate.

The third area where a teacher must devote themselves fully is the arena of enthusiasm. I would define creativity as the formulation of lesson plans in the hopes of simulating interest to build on prior experiences and to imbibe students with the curiosity to learn meaningfully. By definition, young people are always interested in avant-garde, out of the ordinary, in-your-face styles of communication. My goal in the classroom will be to implement the Multiple Intelligence Theory of learning, where I would be dedicated to researching different ways to challenge all types of learners through web-based learning, outdoor activities, dramatic performance, journaling, and artistic expression. The commitment to enthusiasm will be central to my teaching style, as I believe a positive learning environment needs to be led by a passionate mentor.

In conclusion, the most important Democratic Ideals I will develop on my way to becoming a professional will be my commitment to diversity, my dedication to content knowledge and my enthusiastic approach in the classroom. In this way, I will provide an excellent framework for a positive learning environment which will infuse students with the confidence and competency to meet their own challenges after my classroom.