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Geoff Smith
Professor Tim Fiegen
EDFN 338
23 April 2014
Why I Want To Be A Teacher
Being an educator is an age-old profession. Many have entered the occupation,
each with their own motives. It is my goal, one day, to become an educator and help mold
the future generations. My motivation to become an educator has been shaped by many
factors throughout my life.
The decision to pursue a career in education was not made easily, or quickly.
Education is one of the most critical careers within our culture. Both independently and
as a team, educators have the opportunity to improve and change the world. Having the
opportunity to watch children grow is exciting, and motivates me to improve and become
a better educator. They also get the opportunity to build strong relationships with
students, parents, and co-workers. Through education, I hope to one day fulfill my goal to
be a role model whom students are motivated and inspired by.
Throughout my years of education, I was fortunate enough to have had many
great educators that served as my role models. My 8th grade math instructor, Mike Ricke,
is one example. His ability to explain content, build relationships with his students,
maintain a level of fairness, be motivating and encouraging, and use humor appropriately,
were all factors in what made him effective. As a teacher, I will value and appreciate
building relationships with the students, and enjoy the challenge of motivating them to
learn. One challenging aspect of education is that not every student learns in the same

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context, and at the same pace. It will be difficult to find a balance between challenging
each student, and utilizing different instructional methods. An excellent educator does not
simply explain or demonstrate to students, they inspire. An educator needs to find
different ways to reach their students, and help them believe that their hopes and dreams
can be reached.
During my middle level years of education, I was found to have a learning
disability. Through that disability, I experienced struggles that made learning more
challenging for me compared to my peers; I shut down and stopped trying because I had
to work harder than the other students. This experience taught me adversity, I know what
it is like to want to give up and quit. My experience allows me to be empathetic towards
my students, and provides me an outlet to relate to students who may be struggling. As an
educator, I will apply the behaviorism philosophy within my teaching. Learning is based
on knowledge, skills, and behavioral objectives that have been carefully developed. I will
focus on maintaining a consistent and inviting classroom environment that emphasizes
proper behavior. I will help to motivate my students by providing positive feedback. My
level of success as an educator relies on my ability to be a life-long learner. I recognize
the importance of continuing education; there is always room for improvement and to
learn new things.
My desire to become a role model, build new relationships, and my past
experiences have helped to prepare me for my future. I am excited about the opportunity
to one day have an impact in the lives of the youth. I am prepared to accept the
challenges that come with education, and exploring new outlets that allow me to continue

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my professional development. I hope to, one day, inspire the children who will represent
the future of our great nation.