The Dalai Lama once said, Our prime purpose in this life is to help others.

And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.

About Me: I Mallory DeJohn am currently a History/ Secondary Education student at SUNY Plattsburgh with a cumulative 3.32 GPA. I enjoy teaching and helping people no matter what the task. I am pursuing History Education because it is an essential part of development in not only children but adults as well. In order for children to understand the world and become a successful part of society they must understand the past and its consequences, both negative and positive.

Philosophy Statement: Whenever I sit down at my desk I am greeted by a Post-It note that reads: Thank you for your smell, it really helped me. It sounds weird for someone to thank you for your smell but youd probably never know this little piece of gratitude is the reason I knew I was meant to teach. A few semesters ago I was a teachers assistant for a basic public speaking class. But this class was a little bit different because it was a public speaking class designed solely for international students. I was given that funny sounding note after one of my students gave a speech. I had listened to Jing practice her speech many times during my office hours so I knew she was ready for this, I knew she was prepared. But when Jing stood up in front of her eleven peers, it was clear to me how nervous she was so I made sure I smiled

every time she looked my way. Whenever I smiled at her she would calm down and focus more. I didnt really think much of this until after class she darted over to me and timidly handed me a star shaped PostIt and darted away. The Post It said, Thank you for smell, it really helped me. I started laughing because I knew Jing had meant to write Thank you for your smile I knew right then that I loved to teach because I love to help people. I was able to help Jing reach her goal just my smiling at her and to me that was incredible. I had helped her prepare for this assignment but it was a simple smile that helped her complete it. Its something Ill never forget, and its a Post-It Ill never throw away. I believe that everything has to have a purpose or its not worth it. That purpose doesnt have to be something deep or philosophical but it has to make sense. I know that I want to be a teacher because I want to help people. I want to help them reach their goals but I also want to help them set those goals. As a teacher it will be my responsibility to educate my students not on how to get good grades and a good job but to find what they like in life and to run with it. I think it is almost essential to serve the Democracy God because children arent educated enough on how our country actually works. Of course my concentration in History fuels this belief but its fundamental for our children to understand our democracy, how it works, how they can participate in it and more importantly: how they

can change it if they want to. Our country has very high complaining rates and very low voter turnout, which needs to change. I want my students to grow up to be members of a community that stands for what they want and does something about it. Its also important for them to understand our global community as well. They must realize that what goes on in our country affects numerous other countries as well. Understanding is one of the main virtues I want to instill in my students because without it how can you be educated? I will not just teach my students the assigned curriculum but life lessons as well. Some of the most important things Ive learned in my schooling career arent how photosynthesis works but how life works. I believe I have the right to teach my students values and beliefs but I know it is important for me to do this in non-biased fashion. I cannot create one-sided little monsters. Its essential for them to understand that there are two sides to everything and even if you do not agree with one opinion you must respect it. Its a lot easier to criticize someone elses opinion that to back up your own. I also know that I must respect the boundaries set my position. My students will come from households very different than mine, which makes it necessary for me to understand their histories and backgrounds. I must also respect the wishes of their parents and not undermine anything they are teaching their children. I must avoid stating my opinion as fact because that perpetuates the cycle I wish to

break. I want my students to have active, participating minds that can help them form progressive thoughts of their own. I do want to be my students best friends but I do want them to know that I am a person too. I want them to understand Im not out to fail them or make them feel stupid. They should know that they should respect me the same way I respect them which is wholeheartedly. I want to make sure my students arent simply moving through school because thats what theyre told to do. I want them to want education. I do not want them to half listen and regurgitate information for a test. I want them to learn and practice what I teach them. I hope I am able to transfer the same thirst for knowledge that I have into them while being an objective and understanding educator.