Why We Teach and Where We’ve Been

Do you ever sit back and ask yourself why do I teach? What lead me to choose to be a teacher?

As I enjoy my summer after completing 18 years in the classroom, I find myself thinking back to what led me to be a teacher.

From the time I remember I loved ‘playing school.’ Were you like that? I loved learning and loved being in school as a child. When I did a Strength Finder online test a few years ago, my number one trait was a LEARNER. Yup, that’s definitely me. I personally LOVE to learn, which led me to want to be a teacher and help others want to learn.

Growing up my favorite thing to do was read. When I wanted to become a teacher, I always felt that I wanted to teach others to read. That is still a huge part of what drives me as a teacher, but over the 18 years I have been in the classroom, I have found new passions as well.

Shortly after starting my career as a teacher, I wanted to use and incorporate new technology. I have ALWAYS had a passion for tech stuff. I even did an EdTech Master’s degree before I did my Reading Master’s degree.

Have you found your FOCUS changing over the years?

I have found that through my experience and time in the classroom I have found and developed new passions, some of which would surprise my younger self.

One of those newer passions for me has been Science, STEM and Robotics. I have fallen in love with teaching these things, something I would never have expected when I first started teaching. I even helped bring a brand new Makerspace to my school this past school year!! I want my own children to grow up and love the inquiry and learning that comes from Science, STEM and Robotics!

Two other areas I have always loved teaching since I started are social studies and religion. I teach in a Catholic School and attended a Catholic Elementary school myself, so teaching faith was a natural thing for me. What I found with both of these subjects was that my students didn’t find them so exciting. I wanted to find ways to reach their hearts and have them leave my room loving social studies and religion. I continue to strive to this day to make these subjects fun and engaging for my students!

So, what drives you to be a teacher? Has your focus shifted at all during your career as a teacher? In the end my goal is and has always been to help young learners fall in love with learning. I have tried to make learning fun and engaging and am always learning myself to find the best ways to accomplish my goals.

Through the resources I create I hope that I can help fellow teachers and students find fun, engaging ways to continue their learning in all subjects, with a special emphasis on science and STEM, social studies, and religion!