Running head: TEACHING: THE GREAT JOURNEY Hall 1

Autobiographical
Hall, Jody
Instructor: Dr. Egbert
EDUC. 201: Foundations of Education















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Abstract
C.S Lewis once said: The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles but to irrigate
deserts. (Goodreads) It is the task of every teacher to flood the lives of their young students, not
only with knowledge from a textbook, but with the knowledge and confidence one needs to be
successful in life. The educator who can achieve these results is the most effective and needed in
the lives of young people today. Indeed, we look to future students to become the educators of
tomorrow, and we hope we will be able to accomplish the daunting task of influencing and
shaping a new generation. It is my hope to be a part of this great endeavor. I am striving to be a
great irrigator of minds, to influence and enable students to live their best lives and accomplish
their goals.













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Teaching: The Great Journey
Welcome to my life journey! It is my wish for you to understand the impact and
importance that getting an education has had on my life. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a
student at the College of Southern Idaho and a student in the Education Program. Past life events
such as: educational background, work experience and acts of service rendered to the community
will give insight into, why, I indeed intend to become a professional educator. This essay will
also include my plans and an outline for the steps I will take to accomplish my goal of becoming
a teacher.
Educational Background
I first began my education as a student at Hagerman Elementary. It was good to grow up
in a small community and I enjoyed many of my elementary school teachers. I particularly loved
the elderly Librarian who would regale my class with dramatic poetry readings and humorous
stories. When other students would fuss about reading assignments, I would relish the
opportunity to experience a new story. It was always a treat to spend time in the school library
looking for new tales of adventure. It wasnt long before I was looking forward to reading
grander and more advanced novels.
I attended Junior/Senior High at Hagerman High School, where my social and
extracurricular life began to blossom. It was a wonderful opportunity to be involved in the music
program and dance/cheer teams in those years. I learned the importance of setting a goal and
working hard to achieve it. The outcome of a goal depends dramatically on how much one
decides to work to attain it! Academically, I enjoyed my English classes immensely, and
excelled in my studies. Looking back on my early years of education, I am proud of my
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accomplishments and am grateful for my parents and the many kind and thoughtful teachers I
had that have influenced my decision to become an educator.
After high school, I continued my education at Utah State University and the College of
Southern Idaho, where I took many general courses because I became unsure of my educational
goals. The opportunity to continue my education at CSI, after a nine year break and motherhood,
has helped me understand the importance of a quality education. During my break from
education, it has always been my goal finish school. Im fortunate to have had many great
examples of kind and caring educators in the past, and hope to be able to be a positive role model
and example to students in the future. I hope to one day share my enthusiasm for learning about
literature and language arts with students. In the future, the desire to pursue an education will
help me to inspire and motivate students to attain their educational and life goals.
Work History
I have always considered a career in teaching. I first began working on this goal after I
graduated from high school. But was sidetracked by life events and began my career as a dental
assistant. I greatly enjoyed learning about medical terminology and patient care in the classroom,
but soon found the practical experience of working in the dental field not to my liking. In my
search for a career that fit, I have experienced bank telling and property management.
Although, these jobs helped hone my customer service and people skills, the experiences lacked
the opportunity in fulfill my desire to have a positive impact on the community.
Working at the Twin Falls Public Library has given me the perfect opportunity to have
the impact past career choices were missing. I have really enjoyed talking about literature with
children and young adults. It is thrilling to help children find a book that finally sparks their
interest in reading. Last summer, I had the opportunity to help with the Twin Falls Public Library
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Summer Reading Program. It has been rewarding to see young people achieve their reading
goals and learn about the world around them through literature.
The library is a wonderful educational tool for the community. It is a gateway for
children to learn and dream about the world around them. Fostering this love of literature and
learning has been extremely rewarding! It is a great responsibility that parents and educators
have today in influencing young people to read. It is an important skill and educational tool to
have! The ability to read and write well has a great impact on a young persons future. Helping
students find literature that impacts their life, that is task I dont take lightly. The opportunity to
experience the love that children have for learning influenced my decision to continue my goal
of becoming a teacher. It is my goal to teach my students that good literature can have a strong
impact on their lives.
Service and Extracurricular Activities
You might not be surprised to learn that I had the opportunity to volunteer at the
Hagerman Public Library, when I was in high school. In fact, community service has been an
important activity throughout my life. Some activities I particularly have enjoyed are: singing to
elderly patients at various assisted living homes, planning and implementing a secret grandma
program for youth group, volunteering at a hospital, and have participated in the young adult
activities program (as a leader) at my church. In 2002, I was awarded the Spirit of Community
Service Award from the Gooding County Health Coalition. As a student and mother, I wish I had
more time and opportunities to commit to acts of service in the community during this time in
my life. Service has taught me many important lessons and I hope to continue to participate in
worthwhile service activities that help strengthen my community.
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I had the opportunity to be a teachers aide for two teachers during my senior year at
Hagerman High School. I volunteered for a second grade classroom and the elementary special
education program. Most of the time, I was asked to help children with their reading and
language assignments. This is where I first realized my desire to become a teacher. I still
remember my favorite students and how much fun it was to help them with their reading and
writing assignments. Even grading papers was fun! I really enjoyed getting to know the sweet
children in those classrooms. I learned a lot about the actual job of being a teacher and I realized
the impact that a good, thoughtful, and kind teacher can have in childrens lives. A great teacher
can motivate and nurture children to become strong students and good people.
Reasons for Choosing Education as a Career
I first began considering education as a career during my senior year of high school.
Years after my volunteer experience in the classroom, I am motivated to continue my education
because of my work as a youth services clerk at the Twin Falls Public Library. Its so rewarding
to see a child develop a keen interest in a book or series. I know that when this happens,
doorways and windows open in which new worlds of imagination and even perhaps, the real
world, are explored, questioned and cherished. What an incredible experience and opportunity! I
cant think of another career more amazing, fulfilling and worth accomplishing. I expect my
future years in education will be years well spent in the service of future generations.
Careers I have considered are typical for my curious, energetic, enthusiastic and caring
personality type. Counseling and social work have always interested me. Physical and monetary
rewards are not reasons to pursue education as a professional career. Plans to continue an
education in this field havent been decided for love of money or for power, they have been
made because I feel strongly about literacy and the difference it can make in young peoples
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lives. I dont expect teaching to be easy but I know anything worth accomplishing never is. The
reward would be in sharing what I love and contributing to the lives of students; and having the
opportunity to participate in shaping the lives of a future generation as a positive and enthusiastic
educator, mentor and role model. These reasons are the intrinsic rewards for choosing education
as a career.
Professional Goals
As for the future, my long term goals includes attaining a Bachelors Degree in
Secondary Education from.well, I havent actually decided yet! Along with the goal of
achieving bachelor degree success, I know I will need to take and pass state tests to attain
licensure. I want to earn my associates degree in Library Science along with a Secondary
Education degree, with an emphasis in English, so I can work in a school library. Once I have
had the experience of teaching in a classroom, it is my long-term goal to attain a Masters Degree
in Library Science. These goals seem distant, but Im working hard now to accomplish these
tasks through committing myself to my studies and life endeavors. The first step in achieving this
goal is to find an institution that offers a bachelors degree program in secondary education. The
second step is to apply for this school and hope that I will be accepted! Upon acceptance, it will
then be my task to pursue this area of study rigorously until I successfully achieve my goal!
But for now, Im taking life a semester at a time at the College of Southern Idaho! Im
working hard in my classes and learning what I need to learn to become a great teacher. Setting
and keeping high goals in my studies will help me to achieve success at CSI. Ive always been a
good student but this journey to achieve my educational goal has given me the motivation to dig
deeper and become a great student! I see this as a priceless opportunity to show my daughter
how important wanting and getting an education truly is. Attaining these goals will also help me
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be a good and knowledgeable example for my future students! This goal is within my sight, and I
have my eye on the prize.
In the end, the decision to become a teacher is definitely meant to be. The decision was
made long ago and I look forward to the days of grading essays and mediating book groups! On
this highway to my goal there is much learning and growing ahead; this journey is not nearly
through. But I am prepared for the road with an attitude of motivation, enthusiasm for learning
and knowledge that in this decision to become a teacher, I have undertaken the opportunity of
influencing and shaping young lives, even generations. I am optimistic about my intended
destination.














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References
Goodreads Inc. (2014). Quotes about education. Retrieved April 9, 2014, from Groodreads
website: http://www.goodreads.com