Wagner 1

Kennedy Wagner

Foundations of American Education

Dr. Tim Fiegen

29 November, 2015

Why I want to be a Teacher

When I was in first grade my parents asked me what I wanted to be when I got older. I

told them I wanted to play in WNBA. Having big dreams as a first grader was realistic for me.

Jumping into the seventh grade, I told my parents I wanted to be a doctor simply because they

make a lot of money. When I finally got into high school, my sophomore year, I knew I really

wanted to become a teacher. Becoming a teacher meant I got to have fun every day in class and

teach students to express their knowledge. I was always a helpful student, helping other

classmates if they couldn’t get the right answer. By the time, my senior year came around our

school offers a class called work experience. It’s where I got the opportunity to be in the

classroom with fourth grade students and help them learn and understand concepts. I have been

around kids mainly my whole life. In the summer time, I worked at a program called Summer

Rec even though I have no younger siblings; I tried my best to be a great role model for children

in the Chamberlain community. It includes working with children who participate in sports.

Being around a happy and joyful atmosphere really helped me make my decision in being a

teacher. I love teaching the game to younger children. Doing a summer internship

with "Warwick Workouts" at Avera Sports Institute allowed me to teach the game I love and

want to become a coach someday. It is the confidence that I acquired with these jobs that made
 Wagner 2

me look at becoming a teacher as I was having success in these areas and the kids seemed to

enjoy working with me.

My family has had a great influence on my decision to enter the teaching profession. My

grandfather, Kenneth C Wagner (Grandpa Ken) was an instructor for over 30 years. He coached

several sports and served as the schools Director of Athletes at the high school level. He served

as Head Football coach for over twenty years and had a win loss total of one hundred and fifty-

one victories and fifty losses. Winning eight conference championships and having a twenty-

three game winning streak. This was before the current South Dakota High School Activities

Association football playoffs. My grandpa fought hard to have the champions of South Dakota

football. He was later inducted to the South Dakota High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame.

Another family member making a difference in me choosing education as a field of study

is my aunt, Kristi Hilzendeger. Kristi holds degrees from Dakota State University and Northern

State University. She has served as a teacher, principal, and is currently the director of the North

Central Special Education Cooperative in Aberdeen, SD. Kristi and I share a love of working

with children and helping those with special needs. Other friends and family members offering

great insight, advice, and support in my decision to major in education are Tom Marso, the

former Superintendent at Miller, SD, for twenty-six years and Kathryn Natwick formerly with

the Madison area Head Start program.

The teaching strategy I would use is Progressivism. This believes in testing and

experimenting and learning is rooted in questions developed by the learner. The beliefs of this

strategy are that students learning focus can change constantly so learning must always include

open mindedness to change. Another motivation approach is using learner-centered problems

 Wagner 3

that will excite students to learn. Finally, once rules are developed, all students and teachers are

required to follow them.

Every day I find a new reason why I belong in the education field. I firmly believe I have

chosen the right path for myself in picking this major. I love seeing students learn and express

their knowledge. I am looking forward to becoming a teacher and educating myself better to

push students to become the best they can be.