Running head: AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL ESSAY 1

My Autobiographical

Gabriela Shanice Gerhardt

Instructor: Evin Fox

EDUC 201: Foundations of Education

Fall 2019
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Autobiographical Essay

Educational Background

I first went to school at Head Start here in Burley. I went to Kindergarten at Mountain

View Elementary and went to Dworshak Elementary for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade. I started the 4th,

5th and 6th grade at White Pine Intermediate School and, after 6th grade, my family moved to

Boise. I then went to school at South Jr. High for 7th, 8th and 9th grade. Those were the years I

began sports. I tried basketball and tennis in 7th grade. I absolutely enjoyed it. It was first time

joining something with the school. I continued in 8th grade with basketball and tennis. I also

joined track. I continued basketball, tennis, track, and I also joined volleyball as well. Yes! I was

a very active girl. I began high school at Borah High. I started my sophomore and junior year

there. I then moved after a month and a half into my junior year back to Burley. I then finished

my junior year and senior year at Burley High School. I had joined a study skills in my

sophomore year. I fell apart and started struggling with so many classes. I was stressing myself

out and didn’t know what to do. I would break down in tears. The study skills class helped me

get through homework throughout the week. It was just too much.

My current level of education is a Sophomore in College. I have been in college for the

past 7 years. I started at Boise State and moved back to Burley once again and started College Of

Southern Idaho. I did struggle with focusing and pushing through my classes. I wasn’t going to

my classes and I wasn’t doing any homework at all. I was worried about money and I put myself

in a spot where I couldn’t have my financial aid anymore. No worries now! I’m focused and

pushing through my semesters. I told myself I couldn’t give up. I want to be able to work in

school. I want to become a teacher and make a difference in childrens’ lives. I’m wasting my
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time doing nothing to finish my college years. I couldn’t continue like this anymore and told

myself I can do so much better. This person I became wasn’t me. I knew I had to do something. I

told myself “Stay strong and don’t give up.”

My education had nothing to do with me wanting to become an elementary teacher. I

have always wanted to be around children and I just had thought being a teacher would be

perfect. After experiencing troubles with reading, I thought about how many children go through

what I went through. I definitely want to be a teacher to make an impact on my students.

Work History

I first worked at Just For Kids in Boise. It is an afterschool program for parents to pick

them up after work. I absolutely loved it! I was able to interact with some children and take care

of messes when they leave. I did learn responsibility as well. During the summer, I would get

their snacks ready on the tables. I was also able to read to the children as well. We did some

activities during the summer. Once a week, we would go swimming. It was definitely a challenge

yet so much fun.

My second job working as a server at Pizza Hut. It was definitely different from with

children. I was able to work on my customer service skills. I had a hard time at first. I was still

getting use to it. I helped customers, clean and refill the salad bar, clean tables, refill shakers,

mop, and vacuum the floor and carpet. It wasn’t my ideal job at the time but, being able to

increase, my customers was great!

My last job is working for Stokes. I have been at Stokes for over 4 years now. I began

working in the deli. I fried chicken, chicken strips, corn dogs, burritos, and many more. I worked

in the deli for a month and was able to learn how to make cake donuts, it was fun! It was
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definitely a challenge as well. I was also making tortillas in the deli as well. I was known as the

cake donut lady and tortilla lady. I worked making tortillas for almost a year and 2 years of

making cake donuts. In 2016, I started working as a cashier. I worked long hours weekly as a

cashier. I learned that customers are not always right. That is a very interesting statement

because of the fact in the past it was said “The customers are always right.” A year later, I had an

opportunity to work in the pharmacy as a technician in a training. As of this past June, I am now

a certified pharmacy technician. As a technician, I fill prescriptions, put orders away, put drugs

back on the shelf, and try to keep the pharmacy as clean as I can for my pharmacist. This is my

current job and I absolutely enjoy it.

Throughout the years of working, I have learned customer service. This will help me to

speak with the students and their parents. These work experiences will help me understand what

to expect when parents aren’t happy. I know there is more to it but it is just part of it.

Service and/or Extracurricular Activities

I started a temporary job last year. I am a test proctor for CWI in Twin Falls. I will show

up the day of their test days, give them a password and they begin their tests. This a very

important extracurricular activity to me. It is a part-time job but, I get to make sure these college

students don’t cheat, they are using the materials they need, and wish them good luck. I

absolutely enjoy volunteering. If I find anything else I like, I will definitely accept the challenge.

Reasons for Choosing Education as a Career

As a child, I thought having books from classes that teachers didn’t need anymore was so

cool. I would set my stuffed animals in rows on my bed pretend I was teaching them. I wasn’t

really sure exactly what I wanted. Being around children helps me with decision. I want to be
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around children and teaching will let me. Ever since I made the decision of becoming an

elementary teacher, I have wanted to make a difference in childrens’ lives. I have seen many

teaching techniques that I have liked and I would really like to use them while teaching. Last

year, I was observing classrooms for the teacher experience class. Mrs. Anderson was one of the

first grade teachers I was observing. It was amazing to see her interacting with her students. She

would say, “Hey class!” They replied, “Hey yes!” All of the teachers I observed had their own

saying (some were the same or similar) and the children had replied so well. I absolutely enjoyed

it!

I want to become a teacher because I want to make an impact on others. I care about

children and I believe I can make a difference in their lives even if it is just teaching them

something new.

I had always thought about everything I can do. I can become an FBI agent just like the

show Criminal Minds. I have always enjoyed dancing too. I had always told myself I am going

to become a dancer. I had it in my mind I’m going to do everything and be everything. I kept

telling myself I’m never giving up.

Professional Goals

My goal is to overcome all these obstacles of teaching. I know not all children can learn

the same. They are a huge challenge in life and they are a whole new generation. I feel like I can

help them learn. Life is full of challenges. My goal is to have my students take those challenges

seriously. I’m never giving up on my students. I want my future students to know they are able to

overcome any obstacle that comes in their way.