Teaching is a powerful profession. It demands dedication, patience, creativity and heart.  I

is one occupation that can change the lives of many.  Not only do I have the qualities to become a great teacher, I have a passion to be one.                   

                   Since I was a little girl I have taken upon leadership roles.  I wasn't like the other children my age.  I was more sophisticated in my years and tended to surround myself with adults.  Adults would ask me my opinion, on some adult conversation they were having, and expected a childish remark.  I would often be frank with my adult friends and they would be surprised from the response I would give them.  I was teaching others already at a young age.

                My church had given me the first opportunity to practice my teaching.  Each week, I would teach children my age or younger the bible.  I enjoyed doing this for a few years, but I wanted to try something new.  About five years ago I started a dance ministry at my church.  I have found this activity most fulfilling.  Each week I teach a class for two hours.  I, however, do not work on my dancing two hours a week.  There is much in choreographing dancing, giving my students homework and planning different events for us to dance at.  The age difference of my members, 3yrs to 55 yrs, has taught me a lot about patience and creativity.  I have had to develop classes that would interest my 12 members and also teach them the material.

                 I look forward to my future in teaching and can't help but think of the people who have helped me on my path. Some of these teachers have been my best friend, and some of these teachers have been my enemies.  Nevertheless I have learned great deal from all of them. These teachers have affected my decision to teach.  They haven't helped me by teaching the class material, but by their kindness and their perspective on life.  Their guidance and friendship has enriched my life forever.  I hope to one day affect one of my students' life in the same way my teachers have affected mine.

                 School wasn't always the best place for me.  I wasn't part of the popular group and I didn't always follow the fashion trend.   I now, however, realize it wasn't so bad.  I was able to see my friends everyday, I didn't have to work to pay for car insurance only for weekend exertions and the work load seemed to be a lot less.  Some teacher made the school day go by fast.  Even my History teacher was able to make the subject interesting.  He would have us play games to learn the material, such as Jeopardy.  Since History will probably be the most difficult study to teach, I think I will use his game method to bring the subject across.  I am not too worried about teaching the other subjects.  I am pretty creative in relaying material to others.

                I am excited to be in the education program at FDU.  It is one of the best schools and I am eager to learn a lot.  I already hold qualities a teacher needs such as patience, creativity, giving feedback and planning classes/assignments, but now in the education program I hope to master them.  A have a quote, from Ghandi, that drives me to become a teacher, "you must be the change you wish to see in the world".  I want to change all of my students' lives that they will become smarter, appreciative of life and grow over all with the knowledge that they are important.