Thanks for hoppin' by to read the story of how and why I started teaching! I love to hear other teachers talk about what inspired them to pursue a career in education. I'm happy to join in with my story, too.
Once upon a time, I went to school to be a family therapist. Even though my mom was a teacher, my brother is a teacher, and my dad was a principal, I guess I just had to be different and choose something else. At least I had to try to choose something else.
A few years later, I found myself in a psych doctoral program shadowing a school psychologist. I was sitting in the hall waiting for him to finish a meeting. It wasn't long before some poor, overworked teacher spotted me and hauled me off to help cut out bulletin board materials. Now that I think back on it, I wonder how long it took before the school psychologist A) remembered that I had been shadowing him that day and B) found me hiding from him in the first grade classroom.
Later that exact same day, I went to see my advisor. "I've got some good news," I told him. "And I've got some bad news. Which do you want first? The good news is that I have discovered what I want to do for the rest of my life. The bad news is, school psychology isn't it." Then, I transferred to the education department.
That's how it all started, now for the why part. For the last 17 years, I thought I became a teacher to make a difference in the lives of others, to help impart the basic knowledge children need to be successful, and because I want to be rich and famous. (Okay, so scratch that last part.) And I did become a teacher for those reasons. Yet, being home with my own 3 littles this year (mainly as a chauffeur) has changed the way I look at being a teacher.
I have realized that I became a teacher because I have the right combination of talents for it. The things that I LOVE to do and teaching go hand in hand. I enjoy working with children. I find their playfulness energizing and their laughter contagious. Reading is one of my favorite pastimes, so I'm thrilled to teach others to decode words and enjoy the company of a good book. I also enjoy drawing and crafting, building things and creating. What teacher isn't doing this every day?!
So, I'm enjoying working with my own littles at home. We aren't homeschooling, but we play educational games and build things and work on music lessons. As I work with them, I am realizing why I became a teacher in the first place: because I really enjoy the act of teaching, the creativity that goes into reaching each individual child. Whether I'm at home or in a classroom, being a teacher is part of me. And it always will be.
So don't miss one of my FREE creations for kindergarten! Click on the picture to take a look and download this fun set!
Thank you so much for reading!
Hop on by the next blog to hear why Mrs. King teaches!
