Teaching and learning

I've wanted to be an elementary teacher for most of my life. I decided on my career path when I was in second grade. I would have been about 8 years old at that time. I'm now 19 years old and that plan has not changed.

Many people have questioned my desire to pursue this career, but I stand strong in this decision because I know that it is what I am meant to do. It's who I am. Throughout my own education, I've had many good teachers and many not-so-wonderful teachers. Each of these individuals has provided me with the opportunity to learn and to grow. These men and women have also given me opportunities to observe and reflect on different aspects of teaching. From my personal reactions to teachers, I will be able to build my own teaching styles and habits.

One of the greatest practices that I have observed in teachers is the ability to learn while you are teaching. I think that it is very important that teachers be open to learning about themselves, about their students, and about new views and concepts with which they may not be familiar.

Throughout my time working with the youth and sponsors at Vine Street Christian Church, I have grown in my own understanding of this. My covenant to HELM involves helping lead youth activities of Vine Street. This year I am also responsible for leading the youth's Wednesday evening devotion time. In order to prepare for this time each week, I usually come up with a topic that is weighing on my mind and the moment. Once I have decided on a topic, I do the research, come up with Bible verses that I find appropriate, and form some thought-provoking questions. Then I leave the rest up to the youth and our discussions. This is a great opportunity for me to learn each week. I am able to take the time to prepare for our discussion and use it to learn about aspects of my own spirituality and growth in understand my relationship with God.

I also learn many great things from the youth. It amazes me every week as they contribute and teach me about spirituality and life through their participation and questions. Though the first few weeks of this were a little rough, a steady group has formed over the past two months, and I am now confident in each of the youth's potential for adding to our discussions. I am proud of the youth for being so willing to take time out of their Wednesday nights to reflect on different aspects of our lives.

This time of gathering has helped me get to know each of the youth on a more personal level. This time has also allowed me to learn from the youth as I learn about myself and try to give them any bit of direction that I have gained from my own experiences. Though I am in the position of "teacher" when I am leading the devotions, I am very much a student at the same time. The youth of Vine Street have taught me so many invaluable things about myself and about life. I hope to carry this aspect of teaching into my future career as an educator so that I am constantly growing as a person and learning from life's many experiences.