When I decided to leave my job of management at Walmart of ten years, it was initially because my son had gotten to the age where he could now start school. My work hours were all over the place and I worked so much that he barely got a chance to see me. As a single mother I had to pay for daycare and after school care and even with a management salary that was not enough to cover the pain staking cost of childcare. With this heavy burden I was desperate to find a job that would successfully give me the amount of time I needed to create a special bond with my son and also strip away the cost of childcare. After searching for a month, I finally came to the decision of possibly working at a local school as an instructional aide. At this time, I had not finished school yet and I knew I would be taking a huge pay cut. However, this job put me in a position where I could cut the cost of childcare out completely. Little did I know, I would be working with seventh and eighth grade children in their science classes and that these crazy kiddos would spark a passion for that I had no idea I had.
During my time as an instructional aide, I learned the curriculum inside and out, unintentionally falling in love with the subject of science. The wonder of how the world works intrigued me with every unit. Being able to see the students face light up when they finally figure out why the mitochondrion in a cell is called the "Powerhouse" and what gives plants their wonderful shades of green. After spending my time as an aide, I was able to finish school and become a long-term substitute teacher for a fifth-grade science class and I was able to learn a lot more about the subject. Now I will be going to into teaching sixth grade science to dive even deeper into the subject.
I'm incredibly passionate about teaching science because science is the gateway to understanding the world around us. It sparks curiosity from the students and fosters a sense of wonder. My job excites me when I'm able to ignite my student's interest in scientific inquiry. Teaching science allows me to inspire the next generation of scientist, engineers, and innovators who aspire to solve the challenges of the world. It is amazing to bear witness of the moment when a student has an "aha" moment or realizing their first discovery. I hope to make a lasting impression on their journey, not just educationally but in life. I want to encourage the essence of lifelong learning in a world filled with science.
"The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires".
-William Arthur Ward
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