AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL ABE 1

Autobiographical Essay

My Journey To Becoming A Teacher

Tracy Mahoni

EDUC 201 Foundations of Education

Online

Jen Lund
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My Journey To Becoming A Teacher

My journey began growing up in the home of a teacher father and a mother who
went back to school when I was in Junior High to become a Speech Pathologist. I was
greatly influenced by the fact that both of my parents worked in the School District. After
I graduated I spent 7 years traveling the World to every continent except Africa and
Antarctica. Along the way I met and married my husband from Tonga. We have two
wonderful kids. All of this has led up to this point of preparing to become a teacher.

Educational Background

I went to school in New Plymouth, Idaho. I am so grateful to my parents for

allowing me to go through all my education years (1st-12th) in one place. I enjoyed
growing up in the small town of New Plymouth and I completed my high school
graduation there.

After that I became a missionary and traveled the World for about 7 years. I
received some training with Youth With A Mission. I took a Discipleship Training Course
in Switzerland, School of Sports Ministry in Montana, and Principles of Redeeming
Cultures in Hawaii.

This International education will help me a lot as I become a professional

educator. I feel that living in different countries, interactions with other cultures, and
understanding people of many different backgrounds gives me a broader perspective. I
feel it gives me a deeper understanding and openness to all, even those that dont think
like me.

Ive learned to adapt and be flexible. I learned how to get along with all types of
people. This global perspective will help me pass on a global mindset to the next
generation. For example, as a teacher I would like to encourage Spanish kids to be proud
of their heritage, language, and culture. I would encourage lessons about other cultures
and countries. I would promote understanding of multiple cultures.

I experienced schools around the world. I saw that schools in Norway were strict.
In Brazil, they were very free. In Tonga, they promoted their culture and in Australia they
were very open. I would like to incorporate a little of all of these into my classroom.

Growing up in a small town in America also gave me smaller class sizes, close
relationships with teachers, and involvement with the community. This school culture
was ideal for creating thoughtful, problem solving students. One example was a Spanish
teacher who would often challenge us to see why we believed the way we did. He caused
us think deeper and answer questions more thoughtfully.
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Even though I only have a high school diploma and a few semesters of CWI, I feel
that I am on the right track for reaching my goals in education and in life. As Mark Twain
said in our textbook, "I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." I am
always learning and adapting wherever I am.

Work History

My work history began in high school with several little side jobs. I tried a pizza
company, Christian bookstore, plum factory and waitressing. I didnt really like any of
these jobs but it did give me a taste of the workforce.

After graduating from high school I went immediately into missionary work with
Youth With a Mission, a Christian organization. For the next 7 years I traveled the world
with different groups. This international experience changed my view of the world. As I
interacted with people of all different backgrounds I gained an education I dont think I
would have gotten anywhere else.

After this I worked at a gym in Orlando, Florida. I enjoyed my work and became
a manager shortly. I felt it was my job to mentor and train all the people under me. I took
the job seriously and I loved to teach new trainees.

In 2005, I had my first child, a boy named Josiah. This turned my world upside
down. Now I was responsible for this baby boy. I quit work to stay home with him full
time. My husband supported us financially. This was and still is the best job in the world.
To see the wonder as he discovers new things is priceless.

In 2007, I decided to rejoin the workforce at least part time. I became a hula
instructor at a Christian school. Here I taught Hawaiian culture, language, and dance. I
enjoyed working with kids from Kindergarten to 5th grade.

I had my second child in 2011 and I am once again a stay at home mom. I do
watch children after school as a supplemental income. It seems as I write this out that I
have always loved working with children. I do see a theme as I write it out in a nutshell.

I think my experience in missions did help me with public speaking and

communication. I not only had to learn how to communicate in a large-scale arena but
also how to get along with all different people groups as well. These experiences allowed
me to glimpse the world through another set of eyes and have compassion.

As a gym manager I helped to motivate others. I taught what I knew to the best of
my ability. I was organized, punctual, and trustworthy. I think these characteristics will
help me in my future profession as an educator.
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I do think being a mom will help me as an educator. If I am always

thinking---This is someones child. I will have more understanding of the parents need
to support and help their child. Also, its taught me to be patient. I am looking forward
to developing all the skills necessary to become a great professional educator.

Service and Extracurricular Activities

The first extracurricular activity that I did that applies to teaching is a hula teacher. I
used to teach an after-school program that met every Wednesday. I taught hula dancing,
Hawaiian language, and culture. It was really fun interacting with the kids from
Kindergarten to 5th grade. At first I had no idea what I was doing but eventually I
developed a curriculum and plan that I used for the three years that I did this. I developed
great friendships with the girls and we enjoyed performing in the community.

As far as development for a professional educator, this helped me to learn classroom

management, planning, and implementing. I was always looking for a fun new way to
present my ideas and lessons. I hope the girls learned more than just dancing but also
culture and self esteem too. I learned from this experience that discipline was hard for
me. I had no system of how to handle misbehavior.

I had one student who had behavior issues and I had no idea how to handle it.
Through trial and error I learned what worked and what did not. At one point we got into
the habit of show and tell that ended up stealing too much time from our session. I
learned to cut out that idea.

I learned what worked and what didnt and tried to adjust accordingly. I suppose
this was the reflective part. I did my very best and wished I knew the tools I am now
learning about how to teach.

I also used to do school assemblies where we gave positive motivational talks to

kids of all ages. It was here that I found my niche of elementary school aged children.
The middle school and high schools were fun too but the little guys are my favorite. I
love the atmosphere of schools and I think it would a tremendous place to work.

Reasons for Choosing Education as a Career

I am going to start with the last question, "What rewards do you anticipate?" For
me, the first thing that stands out is the classroom environment and school environment. I
just love walking down the school hallway, going to the teacher's lounge, and eating in
the cafeteria. I really like the school environment. As I compare this with environments
of previous jobs where I had no break rooms or breaks, late hours, and horrible
conditions, I really want to become a teacher.
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Next, I think about collaborating with co-workers. In schools it seems as if the

teachers are working together to achieve a goal. The principal is on the side of the teacher
and it's a collective effort to do your best. When I compare this to other jobs, where it's
competition between co-workers and a race to the top, I see a big difference. So for the
work environment and teacher collaboration I am looking forward to working in the
school district.

Other careers I considered were personal training and gym ownership. I got to the
end of my personal training and realized this job was not for me. I tried gym ownership
and many gyms were ready to sell to me but none of them were making any profit. I am
grateful I tried some different roads and figured out what was a best fit for me or not.

Why did I decide to become a teacher? So many reasons but ultimately I am

naturally a teacher, it is my gifting. I knew I would teach but I did not know what. When
my son went to Kindergarten it finally solidified to me that I would teach kids. This is
when I first considered education as a career. It still took a couple of years before I finally
signed up for college though. It's been a long process for me. I will just keep putting one
foot in front of the other to go down this path to teaching.

Professional Goals

My long-term goals are to affect the next generation. I want to leave a lasting
legacy. I want to teach the next generation character, integrity, honesty, truthfulness,
courage, believing in themselves, self-esteem, confidence, boldness, positive mental
attitude, value friendships, and relational skills.

I plan to do this by a positive way through teaching, encouragement, and example.

I plan to do this through kindness and virtue. Ultimately, I would love for my career to
match this statement. I would love to be a teacher that inspires students to their very best
and fulfill their full potential. I would love to influence them in a positive way.

As far as my short-term goals I would love to work in the school district. I already
love to volunteer at the school but I wouldnt mind being an aide as well until I have the
credentials and education to be a teacher. I might start as a part time aide. I love the
school environment. I am not so sure about managing a whole playground full of kids
though. I suppose I would learn on the job.

As specific goals here are some things I would like to learn:

#1 How to create and maintain a positive, productive, and safe classroom environment. I
want to learn how to do classroom management, discipline, and order. I want to know
how to keep things under control. I want to learn how to be rigid but flexible.
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#2 I want to learn how to present myself as the authority figure that is in charge. I want to
learn how to inspire students to reach their full potential.

Overall, I am looking forward to becoming a teacher. I believe that I can

be a positive role model and example to this next generation of youth. I want to make a
difference and motivate young people to fulfill all that they can achieve. I believe I can
make a lasting difference in teaching.

Works Cited:

Ryan, K, & Cooper, J. Those Who Can, Teach. Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Thirteenth
Edition. 2013. Print.