Sarah Colquhoun

EDU 214
August 30th, 2019

Why I wanted to become an educator

My name is Sarah Colquhoun. I live in Las Vegas Nevada. I was originally born in Boston
Massachusetts, but moved to Las Vegas when I was 4 years old. My father was in the military so
we moved to different states quite a bit. He was a history teacher in the military before he went
back to school for business. My grandfather was also a ROTO instructor at a high school in Mesa
Arizona. With two big role models in my life who were teachers, teaching and being an educator
was something I felt I was destined to be. I always had interest in teaching for as long as I can
remember. Every project and assignment sent home as a child where it stated “what do you want
to be when you grow up”, my answer was always “A teacher like my dad”.
I was really blessed to also have some amazing teachers growing up. I always enjoyed
elementary school. I specifically remember how influential my kindergarten teacher was. Her
name was Ms. O and she was so creative and goofy. A lot of the traits she possessed are some of
things I see in my self today when I am with my preschool class of 13 students. I remember her
wearing a red cape around all the time making our learning time so much fun. I always admired
her love and passion for educating. I always told my parents I wanted to be just like Ms. O.
Both my parents and grandfather weren’t shocked when I reached high school and told
them I was very serious and interested about pursuing a career as a kindergarten teacher. It was
something I always talked about and something my parents knew I was super passionate about. I
started attending College of Southern Nevada straight out of high school and decided to major in
Early Childhood education. I got a job as preschool teacher at a very low-income school when I
turned 18. It was such an overwhelming experience knowing I was changing these children’s
lives. Most of them didn’t own much. Children would come to school without jackets, supplies,
and in need of a lot. It was such an eye-opening experience to know going to school was one of
the only positive things in most of these children’s lives. Knowing that I was the one teaching them
and building their foundation is what got me through the long days of work.
I took a bit of a break from college and just focused on work. After three years of working
at the preschool I was at, I got hired as a Three-year-old teacher at a private school. Full turn
around from where I was working before. I was a bit nervous to step foot into a school where
students were very privileged because I wasn’t used to that. I wasn’t used to children in uniforms,
with ipads, computers, phones, nice shoes, etc. The students were equally just as amazing and I
loved every second being there. I realized it wasn’t about the material things children owed that
made them great, it was my love for teaching that made being there exceptional. I enjoyed lesson
planning, the creativity I could have in my room, the ability I had to make any day for my children
fun and positive.
It was after having a conversation with my principal at my school and my parents that I
decided I was ready to go back to school and finish my degree in Early childhood. I had
remembered the stories my father had told me about how it wasn’t easy for him to finish school
but he did it. He worked two jobs and supported himself to get through school so he could find a
good job with his degree. My passion for working with kids is what motivated me into wanting to
not give up and put my career first. I want to push through school and get my bachelor’s degree to
become a kindergarten teacher. I know it won’t be easy, but I have very supportive people in my
life who have also pushed themselves through school and are now doing what they’re passionate
about. Becoming an educator has been something I’ve known I have always wanted to do. I’m
thankful for my father and grandfather who would tell me stories about their experiences growing
up. I look forward to each day I get to spend with my students and am excited for what the future
after graduating has to offer me.

My vark scores:
 Visual 3
 Aural 2
 Read/Write 2
 Kinesthetic 9