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Why I Want to be a Teacher

Lindsey Bishop

6/16/17

God always changes my plans for the better. Originally, I decided to be a teacher because I

moved to South Dakota. When my free tuition to California Baptist University went out the window due

to my dad no longer teaching there, I felt I had no other option. My dad decided he wanted to be closer

to my brothers in the Midwest where I grew up, so he changed jobs to teach in Business and

Information systems at Dakota State University. Since I planned to be a cultural anthropologist at CBU,

but they dont have that major at DSU, I chose what I thought was the next best thing. I had previously

considered Elementary Education, but they didnt have that major at CBU. My parents, oldest brother,

and his wife (who is an Elementary Education Alum from DSU, Sara Bishop), my old youth pastor from

Pierre, and all the teachers that were on my team to Uganda last summer (including Mike MacDonald,

who let me shadow him in his USA classroom), the Ugandan people themselves, and countless others

helped me make the decision to pursue teaching as a profession.

My teachers influenced and inspired me to teach. Since I was homeschooled, my main teacher

was my mother. I look up to her in many ways and she has always been my role model. I want to help

kids learn in the way that best suits them and their learning differences as well as help motivate them to

enjoy learning, just like my mom did for me. My AP biology and AP chemistry teacher in high school was

also inspiring. She made learning fun by her knowledge, her passionand by the many captivating

stories about her nursing career. She was also good at explaining concepts visually and in ways I could

understand them. My cultural anthropology Professor at California Baptist University was so

inspirational I almost majored in her field. She made everything fascinating. (I mean, it probably helped

that I was already fascinated by other cultures, but she made it sound like an extremely applicable field

with so many facets and intricacies--which it is!) She incorporated media and different assessments into
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her curriculum as well as engaging conversations that related to current events. She helped us think

critically and openly of our own cultures in addition to those of others. I also loved my art Professor at

CBU. She helped me work hard to improve on my talent. She didnt just spend time working with

students who were already pros, she aided even the most trying students in class and let each express

themselves better through different media. My experience working with kids at daycare and babysitting,

my favorite jobs in high school, also influenced my choice of teaching. Volunteer teaching kids at church,

VBS, and around the world on mission trips are some of my passions. I get so excited seeing the different

ways kids learn, asking them questions to broaden their understanding, and learning alongside them.

Going to Uganda last summer with a team of teachers and pastors, solidified my decision to be a

teacher. I want to teach overseas after I graduate. I am most enthusiastic about using my desire to serve

kids in diverse places while offering them something many of us take for granted: a good education. I

anticipate my greatest difficulties in teaching will be better time and classroom management. However,

I know developing these skills will be worth the slightly painful process. I know the result will be very

rewarding, and I am willing to put lots of effort in these areas.

I plan to use student-centered instruction. I will relate to students by asking them questions,

getting to know them, and finding things in common with them. I will keep abreast in the profession by

keeping in touch with teacher friends, and perhaps, after two or so years of work in the field, pursuing a

masters degree. My strategy is to model a constructivist/positivist philosophy as I help students build

on and adjust their understanding of the world. I want my students to understand how to enjoy

learning.

Because I want to connect with and serve students from different backgrounds, I want to be a

teacher. Because our world is fascinating, and expanded knowledge can relate to everyday life, I want to

be a teacher. Because I want every student to enjoy learning in the way that best suits their individual

learning style, I want to be a teacher.