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My Favorite Math Teacher by Brianna

Briannaof Miami's entry into Varsity Tutor's July 2014 scholarship contest

My Favorite Math Teacher by Brianna - July 2014 Scholarship Essay

A teacher who positively affected my attitude toward education was my middle school math teacher Ms. Ross. She made math easy by explaining the problems clearly as well as by giving shortcuts to solve problems. Additionally, she gave me confidence in my ability to do math as well as methods to use in the future. I believe she has positively affected my attitude towards education because she’s an example of a good teacher who has helped students improve their math skills.

Ms. Ross made math simple by giving her students quicker ways to do problems. She also worked out the problems on the board step by step which made it easier to learn. When it comes to math I’m a visual learner and I need a detailed explanation. In addition, she explained everything clearly and was always willing to help her students.

Furthermore, while I was in her class I felt more confident in my math abilities. Math is not a subject I’m strong in so I usually need a really good teacher in order for me to understand the lesson. She taught me skills that I currently use and she made it easy to remember by turning math rules into chants.

To conclude, Ms. Ross has positively impacted my opinion on education because she is one of the few exceptional math teachers I've had. Ms. Ross’ simple teaching method gave me the strategies to be successful in solving math problems. She also wouldn’t hesitate to help her students whenever they were confused. Overall she was a great teacher and pleasant person as well.

•   Tuesday, August 13, 2024

Future Educators

Helping America's Future Teachers

I Want to Become a Teacher Because | My Dream Job Essay

My dream is to become a teacher . If you have this dream, you’re not alone. Here’s a collection of short essays by aspiring teachers. Current and future education students were asked to describe their motivation; what inspires them to succeed at their teacher training studies.

In these 31 student essays, future educators answer the question “I want to become a teacher because …” or “I want to become a teacher to …”. The short student essays are grouped thematically, forming the top reasons to become a teacher.

1. Giving Brings Its Own Rewards

Helping people is the unifying theme as to why students are inspired and motivated to become teachers. Education is a field where you can help young people directly in a personal way; potentially changing their lives for the better. Teaching is more than just a job.

For a significant percentage of education students, the opportunity to be of service provides plenty of motivation to pursue a teaching career. In each Why I Want to Become a Teacher essay here, a future educator explains why teaching is an opportunity to do something meaningful and beneficial.

by Hanna Halliar

If I can make an impact in just one child’s life, I will be able to consider myself successful. That is my motivation. As a future educator, what else would it be?

Every day that is spent in class, the late nights at the library, the endless hours of studying are all just steps getting me closer to the goal. When I am still up at 1 a.m. struggling to keep my eyes open, but only half way through my 6 page paper I remember how excited I am to work with my own students one day.

To me, being a teacher is so much more than the typical response most people have towards education majors. “Oh, you’re going to be a teacher. You know how much you will make?” Yes, I’m aware that I will be making an average of $50,000 a year in Indiana.

To me being a teacher means that I get the opportunity to not only teach my students math, English, and science but to teach life lessons that will stick with them as well.  It means walking into school every day being the reason my students look forward to coming to school. It means being surrounded by crafts, books, and music and not being stuck in an office. It means educating our future generation. And if somebody has to do it, it should be somebody who is passionate about it.

So what motivates me to study? It is so simple, it is the kids.

by Savannah Stamates

I lay awake at night and practice my first morning message to my first round of students whom I will not meet for more than a year.

I wonder if I will have hungry children, happy children, or broken children. I wonder if I will be good enough or strong enough to reach those most in need.  I wonder if my students will trust me enough to tell me that they are hungry, happy, or scared.

I worry that I will not be strong enough to share their burden or provide a place for peace and learning. I worry that I will misread their actions or their words or miss them reaching out.

So I study, even when I am tired from working two jobs or sick of not being where I want to be. When my time comes to walk into that classroom, my worries and doubts will be silenced by the knowledge I have mastered and the dream I have finally achieved.

by Charity Latchman

Dreams for the future are subjective. They can be based on what we desire. But visionary dreams are not only for us. Imagine asking some of the greatest revolutionaries and pioneers about their dreams. They generally had others in mind. In the famous “I have a Dream” speech, Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr said “we” more than thirty times. Dreams are not for our benefit alone, but to encourage, inspire and benefit others.

Recently I graduated from California Baptist University with a degree in English literature. During my studies, I was cared for my disabled mother. She was a religious studies professor who inculcated me with a diligent and steadfast approach to schoolwork. Managing the role of caregiver with university studies was challenging. But the goal to become a teacher kept me going. Approaching graduation, my mother was diagnosed with throat cancer. She didn’t worry about herself as much as you might expect but kept pushing me to finish the final paper in the program.

With her encouragement, my faith, and a burning desire to teach English literature, I graduated. My motivation comes from wanting to help, to encourage, and to inspire others.  Teaching is an act of giving that has its own rewards.  Life’s trials bring ups and downs. But we must always strive to attain our dreams, especially when others are central to them.

by Katheryn England

As a high school senior, many people assume I’m prepared for college and know what I want to study after graduation. These assumptions cause me to experience moments of self-doubt. Then I re-evaluate what I want for myself, and what it is that keeps me working towards my dreams. Through the goals I’ve set for myself, I can maintain focus, move past my self-doubt and succeed. By focusing on my goals, I can make a difference in the world directly around me.

A goal I have in my life is to be an elementary teacher, also known as an early childhood teacher. As a teacher,  I can share the knowledge I’ve gained to leave behind a better future for our world .

Last year, I had the opportunity to work alongside a previous elementary teacher and mentor of mine. I’d visit her classroom daily, and taught lessons alongside her or independently. Uniquely, they were the opening act in my high school’s original winter play. They read first-hand from our scripts and learned what happens behind the scenes. Showing a new part of the world to the youth of my community has motivated me to pursue my dreams.

Remembering this experience and the positive influence I had on those students helps me overcome self-doubt and stay focused on my goals. Thanks to the goals I’ve set for my life, I not only can find purpose for my efforts, but find the will to be confident in whatever choices I make.

by Emma Lillard-Geiser

I have always known that I would become two things: a mother and a teacher. What I didn’t know is that I would become the mother before the teacher. Having a child that depends on me is what fuels my desire to succeed in life. When I get frustrated with my studies I take a deep breath, look at my daughter, and know that I have reason to persevere. I know that one hour of studying will give me hours with my daughter as soon as I am done.

My mother is a teacher and growing up I cherished learning from her. She had knowledge that I admired and I quickly realized that I had to spend my whole life learning. I love to learn, to have that light go off in my head when it all just clicks.

I cannot wait to see that light in the eyes of my daughter and my future students.  For every thing that I learn, is another thing I can teach someone else.  It isn’t easy to study when you have a small child to take care of but I know that my education will provide me with the ability to take care of her for the rest of our lives.

2. Help Disadvantaged Students

Students are disadvantaged for many reasons, whether it’s because of a handicap, where they live, economic disadvantage or a language barrier.

Future educators may want to become teachers so they can make a difference in the lives of students who face extra learning challenges. This special interest often comes from the future teacher’s own experience, either personally or involving people they’ve known.

by Ian T Thomason

While attending the University of Minnesota-Mankato, I have aspirations of becoming a Special Education Teacher. Becoming a Special Education Teacher and helping students who have a need for extra help and students who are having troubles with everyday life are things that I dream of doing.  I was in their shoes once and know how difficult it is to deal with everyday life and how nice it was have a teacher to talk to.

Becoming a Special Education Teacher is my ultimate goal and, when difficult times arise, I have to remind myself of the children out there who have it potentially worse than I. When I remember this, I also think back to all of the support that I had from my parents, family members, and teachers. I also know that there are lots of children who don’t have this type of support and, if I can be there for them, that would make my career choice all the more worth it.

My Special Education degree is something more than just a degree for me. It is a degree that allows me to help children improve their education. I realize that children are our future and that their minds are terrible things to waste. So, instead of wasting their minds, why not put our best foot forward to educate them? My dream is to help kids realize their full potential, promote education and a brighter future for every child.

by Katherine

Motivation allows you to persist through difficult circumstances. Mine comes from a desire to grow into an instructor who is able to make a difference to many children’s lives.

In elementary school, I actually was a special education student. I’ve had to work hard most days of my life to achieve anything. I could not have succeeded without the support of some absolutely amazing teachers. Now I desire to take on that supporting role for as many students as I can reach.

When a class or an assignment I don’t want to do come up, I think of what motivates me. And the motivation is children. Many students feel powerless about their education, just like I did.  I could be a teacher who turns their education around, providing vital support and motivation to succeed at their studies.  Ultimately, everyone motivates themselves by one way or another. My motivation comes from the pure desire to help future students.

by Robbie Watson

My road to graduate school has been a long one. I studied religion and culture in undergrad, interested in the material, yet not sure how I would apply it later. Yet I found places, got involved in community and international development, engaged with different cultures, and now feel I use my degree every day.

For over two years I worked alongside Congolese refugees in Rwanda, developing educational opportunities for youths who could not finish secondary school in the underfunded camps. It is these refugees, young and old, the students, the teachers, their passion and vision for a better future that has driven me to seek out more education for myself. I remember how they would pay from their families’ meager funds to attend classes led by volunteer teachers. When finances were against them, or time, or family obligations, or the dire depression of the camp life itself, or even government officials were against them, still those students attended, still those teachers taught.

It is their example of perseverance towards a goal against all odds that inspires me now. I think of them often, think of the friends they were, are still. And I think of how that passion is in me now, to better understand education so that I might better educate, and thus equip such downtrodden communities to work for transformation themselves. I work not only for myself, and am motivated by the potential in those students and educators, which is also in me, and in others like them.

by Natalie Pelayo

I’m a young Latino woman working towards the goal of earning a bachelor degree in bilingual education. On occasions, I feel a slowing in my motivation. But, every time it happens, I think about the goal and that pushes me to move forward.

Looking back to a middle school class I attended, there was a boy who never really participated. He sat in his hoodie, looking down to his desk. Only after trying to talk with him, I discovered he spoke with broken English and a thick Spanish accent. It seemed as if no-one in our class actually knew that he struggled to understand what was being taught because it was presented in English.

By his manner, it was apparent that he had already accepted a dismal fate. Past teachers may have been unable to communicate with him. Eventually, he’d become demoralized.  Thinking about the disadvantages he had to endure provides ongoing motivation to study hard.

I aim to become a bilingual elementary school teacher to support young Spanish-speaking children. As a teacher, I’ll be able to show them that they can succeed. Children need not grow up thinking they’re incapable of learning due to a language barrier. I’ll keep working towards my goal to help ensure teaching is inclusive of all children, no matter their first language.

by Abigail Young

I am an American citizen, but my whole life I have lived in Cameroon, Africa. I have been blessed with an enormous amount of opportunities and a great education at a private international school.

Every day I have seen children and teenagers around me who do not get the same education or have the same possibilities of a “bright” future. I see schools that are forced to have three children share a small table, paper, and pens. I have seen a badly lit room with poor roofs and walls made from bricks. Even in my school there are numerous Cameroonians, my friends, and classmates that do not have the same chances at a higher level education, although they work just as hard.

When I study, I study hard because I do not want to let this chance and opportunity go to waste. I study because I have been undeservedly blessed to be able to go the United States for a high education with better chances at getting scholarship money. I study my hardest because  it is my dream that I may come back and make a difference in countries like Africa with poor education systems . It should be a right for children to be able to learn like I have. Therefore, because of this mindset, I am driven to study not just out of thankfulness for my circumstances, but also in hope that I may be able to give other children a better chance, and a greater reason to study.

3. Helping Many People Is Achievable in Teaching

A powerful source of motivation for some education students is the potential to touch and positively impact the lives of many people. Education is a field of consequence and that’s a good reason for wanting to join the teaching profession.

Over the course of a long career, a classroom teacher may help shape the learning experience of hundreds or even thousands of students. In policy roles, educators can affect millions of people.

by Rachel Bayly

Through high school I worked as a teacher at a daycare. When I left for college I said goodbye to a lot of people, including my students. All summer I had woken up at five in the morning to go to work and wait for them to arrive and put a smile on my face. Those kids motivated me to keep waking up and working hard, and leaving them was not easy.

The thing that made that goodbye worth it, the reason that I keep pushing through this tying chapter of my life is that  I am determined to improve early childhood education in the United States .

I want to be a positive force in the lives of as many children as I possibly can, and I plan on doing that by improving standards and policies for early childhood education and making it more affordable.

Every week I write in my planner, “I will make a difference” and one way that I will change the lives of children and families. On days that I find myself asking, “why am I here?” “why am I going into debt, paying to be stressed out all the time?” I think of my students. I read my “I will make a difference” statements.

I remember that some children out there are stuck in low quality child care centers, they will never reach their full potential, and they need help. I keep working hard everyday so that I can help those children.

by Megan Burns

My ultimate goal is to change the lives of people. Studying to be a teacher is hard. All of the classes that are required, all of the practicums, and all of the time spent just to become a teacher is stressful, but the thought of being able to help just one person changes everything.

It takes one person to be a light in someone’s life. It take one person to be a helping hand. It takes one person to change an unmotivated, broken life, and make it brand new. Qualified teachers are those people.  We motivate students to do their best, we guide students to success when no one else will, and we are always available to listen.  One teacher can change the lives of thousands of students. That is my motivation.

I know that after college, I will be a teacher, a guider, a counselor, and a friend to so many students. No matter how many bad days I have or how many times I want to quit, I just think of what is to come in the future. I can be that change this world needs, even if its in a small high school classroom. It just takes one person.

by Victoria Shoemkaer

My dream is to make a difference in the life of children.

• To make them excited about learning.
• To make it fun the way it used to be when they were younger.
• To show them that someone cares about them and wants to see them succeed.
• To show that they are much more that a test score or a number.
• To believe in them so much, that I do not let them get discouraged from chasing their dreams.
• To showing them that everyone fails and it’s your recovery that determines what happens next.
• To sacrifice myself to gives them more opportunities for success.
• To encourage students to succeed in and out of the classroom for the betterment of themselves and the community.
• To inspire them to change the world, because they can.
• To help them transform into caring and compassionate adults who are ready to conquer the word, but remember where they came from.
• To teach them to do good in the world because anyone can accomplish doing well.

Most importantly, my dream is to make children feel like their voice is important and valued and that they are loved more than they know.

4. Lives Can Be Improved by Dedicated Instructors

Teaching a subject such as Math or English is the everyday task of a teacher. But our prospective teachers see a greater purpose in their training and career path.

The daily motivation to teach doesn’t come from the superficial advantages of a teaching career, such as great job security or extra vacation time. Here are stories by future educators who want to go beyond the curriculum and improve people’s lives all round.

by Savannah Luree Weverka

Teachers are the ones who ignited my love for learning and there is not a day that goes by when I do not challenge myself to a personal goal of lifelong learning.

My mother is a teacher, so I was a student educated in an institution filled with support and a home that also supported education. I recall many teacher “get-togethers” and Husker parties where an informal invitation led to my presence.

Due to all of this support and interaction received throughout my elementary and high school career, Elementary Education continues to be at the top of my career choices. And now, as a senior looking forward to graduating from high school,  teachers remain my role models .

In considering a focus in Elementary Education, I now realize that many teachers not only teach children eight hours of the day, but become doctors for scraped knees, dictionaries for challenging words, mediators between students, and parents away from home.

Now, as I am taking the steps to make my dream come true I hope to make school an escape to free their minds and expand their knowledge. I want to share my love of learning with my students.

by Aaron Banta

Since I was younger, I have had the dream of becoming a history teacher at the high school level. The reason I am striving for this career is thanks to a teacher I had.  They held such a passion for history and taught it so well that it made me want to keep learning everything I could about it.

In college, I have had to work multiple jobs and attend school full-time. I would wake up early in the morning and not get home until late at night. The one thing that kept me on top of my studying and work was the dream I have; to be able to teach history and express my love for it by teaching the next generation. I strive to impact their lives for the better just like mine was.

Being able to pass my courses and get a degree and teaching credentials is the first main goal I am striving for. But being able to have a positive impact on students I have will be an even greater goal that I want to accomplish. I am hoping to guide them through their study of my favorite subject so I can teach them about the world and help them just like my teacher had helped me.

by Chelsea Rogers

At USC Upstate, I am studying to be a Secondary Education Mathematics teacher. The math courses are not easy and the education courses pushes you to challenge yourself. The thought of being a future teacher is what motivates me to keep pushing.

Although I do not know any of my students, they are precious to me and I believe it is my job to change their lives for the better.  Teaching math is my job, but looking beyond my content and into the wellbeing of my students is my passion.

The question I always ask myself is how can I teach students who may not trust me? I have to establish a connection with each student so that they will see I care about them academically, physically, and emotionally. Once students see that you care about them in these areas, it becomes easier to teach them and they are willing to perform to the best of their ability because they know their teacher supports them 100 percent. Being a great teacher is what motivates me to continue striving for my degree.

by Micayla Watroba

One plus one is two. Phone is pronounced with an F sound. 60 divided by 15 is 4. An essay typically has five paragraphs. I know all these things because I went to school. I also had teachers that helped me understand it even when I didn’t get the same opportunities as everyone else.

See, when I was in first grade I was diagnosed with ALL Leukemia. This made school very hard. I was either out of school so often that I missed entire chapters or I was bullied so badly that I couldn’t focus because I was so scared. Having cancer also made it hard for my mom and dad to pay for food and rent much less after school activities and tutoring. I grew up knowing that there were some things that were just not in reach for us. 

For as bad as I had it, I can’t imagine having to live on the streets, going hungry, or even being taught in a language I don’t know.

My dream is to be the teacher that makes sure that every student gets an education that helps them succeed.  I want to make sure that my students not only enjoy being at school but feel safe while there.  My students will know that it doesn’t matter where they came from or what background they came from. I am going to be there and I will not leave them behind. This is my dream.

5. Promote Lifelong Learning in Young People

What inspires some people to become teachers is the power to set young people on the right education path. Helping children to have good early experiences and embrace the learning process can profoundly enhance someone’s life. The potential for transformative early development applies to handicapped and disadvantaged kids as much as anyone.

by Lesley Martinez-Silva

I aspire to make a difference in others’ lives through education. I’m studying to be an elementary school teacher because I believe that children can achieve so much more if they learn early of their potential.

Education has always been my priority. My parents always stressed the importance of obtaining an education, having missed that opportunity themselves. My parents taught me as a child that schooling was vital to success in life. Truly, that lesson has been the most important in my path to college. I don’t think I would’ve made it this far had I not taken my education seriously.

I want to teach others about the importance of education so they too can prosper.  Everything I’m learning at university is important for my future career and, if I don’t study it, I’m failing my future students. Every child deserves the best education available and I should strive to be the best educator possible to provide that for them. When balancing academics, work, and my social life, it can get challenging to keep going. But, with the future of children’s education in my hands, I always get back on track.

by Brianna Rivers

One of my goals is to become a teacher and work in an public elementary school within the greater Boston area (possibly my own elementary school). I want to be a teacher because I enjoy working with children and I know how important teachers are in children’s lives. I plan on receiving my Bachelor’s degree for Early Childhood Education and my Master’s degree in Special Education.

I want to major in Early Childhood Education because  early education is significant for children and is a building block for their future in learning . I also want to major in Special Education because I believe all children should receive equal learning opportunities as well as equal treatment (meaning an inclusive environment, etc).

I think all of my experiences have a positive impact on myself because I am learning more about what it takes to be a teacher and what it takes to be a good teacher. My experiences also have a positive impact on the children and adults I work with. I offer a helping hand to the teachers and a friendly face to the children.

I plan to continue to work hard and take advantage of learning opportunities to achieve both of my goals. Being a teacher is my desire and I will stop at nothing to be a great teacher one day.

by Jennamarie Moody

When I close my eyes, I picture myself in a school located in an urban setting, teaching a classroom of diverse yet alike students. These students are in the second grade, meaning that they are impressionable yet vulnerable to their environment whether this means at home, at school, or in their greater community.

Some of these students don’t speak English as their first language, and some come from low-income households that can limit their educational experiences outside of the classroom. And yet, no matter what differences these students bring to the table, their uniqueness flows throughout the classroom in such a positive energy that embraces, respects, and promotes learning. This is the goal I am working towards; the goal  to inspire our youth to become self-advocates for their learning .

Opportunities for equal educational experiences may not exist, however the beauty lies in the growth of love young students can develop as they are challenged in the classroom to question their surroundings. I plan to make a difference in the lives of the children I meet along the way, and to create a safe learning environment.

Although the tests for certification and studies can be difficult, my passion for education and dedication to shaping the lives of my students is what keeps me going. The end goal is to nurture the development of my students to become active and engaged participants in society, and that is what I intend to do completely.

by Julie Anderson

My long-time goal has been to become a teacher, and this year I’m in a class called Teachers for Tomorrow, where I get to shadow a kindergarten teacher. Working with her and the students has increased my interest in children with special needs.

From here on out, I want to support my students in academics and other parts of their lives so I can help them learn, grow, and succeed. I know that children need a strong start to their school career because the first few years of school are crucial; this is when students begin to love or hate learning itself. Whether or not children enjoy school, they deserve to appreciate learning. Students who love learning will always want to improve themselves.

I will make an effort to provide a loving environment where each child can prosper. However, for students with special needs, this task becomes even harder to accomplish because traditional classrooms are usually set up for non-disabled students.  While I know I can’t “save” every student I teach, and some of them will still hate learning, at least I can start them off right.

When I’m swamped with schoolwork, I will imagine my future students and how I could influence their lives. Even though not all of my college classes will relate to my major, forming a habit of working hard in college will help me to succeed as a future teacher.

6. Teachers Are Excellent Role Models

The experience of being helped and transformed by a good teacher leaves a lasting impression. Teaching is considered a noble profession for good reasons.

Some education students are motivated to become a teacher to emulate their own role models. They want to provide the same kind of service they once received. An added reason for pursuing a teaching career is to be a role model to younger people outside the classroom, including one’s own children.

by Teresa Pillifant

My first day – well, more like first semester- of my freshman year in high school was the hardest semester of my whole school career. Usually the kind of student who loves school, I found myself getting stomach aches in the morning and dreading school with my whole being. I was new to the school, and the number of students was overwhelming.

It seemed like there was no relief, except for my first hour Spanish class. Having no friends, I would always arrive at my first hour class early. As this pattern continued, my Spanish teacher and I developed a relationship. My teacher started giving me books to read, asking my opinion on what we should do in class and just talked to me in general about life. Through my teacher’s support, I grew to find my place in the school and became more confident.

Her kind words and actions inspired me to become a teacher myself.  Now, whenever school or life gets difficult, I think of my freshmen year Spanish teacher and how she inspired me. I want to do what she did for me for my future students. Whether it be a difficult test or a challenging class, my goal of making a difference in a student’s life keeps me going.

by Mo Cabiles

The world we live in is hard, unsteady and ruthless. We see this everyday in the harshness of homelessness, to social media screaming for justice. What motivates me to continue on is that I have felt the bitter cold bite of homelessness. I know what it’s like to not have enough to eat and to be scared of what will happen next.

I am fortunate to no longer be in those situations but that, by no means, is an indicator that it will all now come easy. As an adult learner and your “non-traditional” student, there are other obstacles I must overcome. From transportation to childcare or education application mastery to APA formatting, the many roadblocks I tackle both large and small are what I consider to be my victories.

I’ve seen what having a higher education can do for someone and I want that for myself and that of my daughters.  I strive to be a good example for them , to show them that, regardless of social standing and unforeseeable circumstances, if they work hard and put their best effort forward, they can achieve their dreams.

My dream is to obtain my Masters in Education with an emphasis in counseling. I want to be an academic advisor or guidance counselor. I’ve seen so many youths attempt community college and fail because they fell through the cracks. These students need to realize their potential and I want to help them achieve that and to be their cheerleader.

by Gia Sophia Sarris

In every school I’ve ever attended, experienced teachers were there to support and inspire me. I have looked up to these people ever since I was in elementary school, and they have had an immense and positive impact on my life and my view of the world.  My fondness for these people [educators] has led me to aspire to become a teacher.

I want to “pay it forward” and improve the lives of children and teenagers who grow up struggling as I did, or in any way for that matter. I want to make a difference in their lives and let them know that they are not alone with their problems.

This is what motivates me to study hard. Becoming a teacher, I believe, will help me fulfill my purpose in life, which I think is to create happiness and ease the burdens of others. I feel that children and teenagers need this especially, because they are struggling to understand the world and their place in it. I study hard for their sake.

by Jennifer Wolfert

From elementary school to my first year at college, I struggled to establish a dream for myself. Trying to figure out what career I wanted to pursue as successful adult always filled me with anxiety. I had spent multiple years in special education and left with a low academic self-esteem. So, after high school I attended Bucks County Community College in search for more time. Still I made no progress. Then I decided to change my outlook. I stopped asking “what do I want to do?” and started asking “who do I want to be?”. That’s when my dream took shape.

The educators that I met during my time at community college were my inspiration.  They are brilliant, hardworking people with a passion for their specialty that I had never seen before. Their belief in hard work was infectious. School began to fill me with excited anticipation and my grades improved. I started to believe that if I worked hard enough then I could be like them and inspire others like they had inspired me.

At the end of my second year attending community college, I accomplished a task that had previously racked me with fear. I applied to Temple University as a Secondary English Education major. I have now completed my second semester at Temple and earned my first 4.0 GPA. In time, I am confident that I will be able to accomplish my dream. I will become the passionate and inspiring educator that my younger self never had.

by Jenyfer Pegg

My entire life has been filled with discouragement. I grew up in a household where I was constantly told “No”. I was told my ideas were stupid and would not work. In my junior year of high school, my teachers and counselors started talking about college and sending in applications to different places. At that point, I knew I was not going. I came from a poor family and I knew we could never have money for something like college.

But I went on college visits, I listened to people speak about their college, and I was set. I had a lot of things pushing me, except the one thing I really wanted, my family. No one in my family has gone to college, and when I told my mother, she was shocked. She told me she just wanted me out of the house.

When I came to school, I realized I wanted to teach high school. I want to make an actual difference in someone else’s life. My family has taken the same road for years, and I’m not going down that road. I won’t live paycheck to paycheck like my mom, I will be a person that others will look up to.

I’m going to do something worthwhile, and I will work harder than anyone else if it gets me there.  I’ve seen what my life will be like without school and motivation and there is absolutely no way I’m going down that road. I’ve got bigger plans.

7. Unlock the Success Potential of Students

Educators want to help students in every way they can but, for some future teachers, the focus is on helping students soar. That child in front of you in the classroom might grow up to do great things for society, raise a strong family, or just be happy and fulfilled.

Whatever the potential of a pupil, a teacher’s job is to help unlock talents and remove any barriers to future success.

by Tamara Vega

The thing that motivates me the most is the thought of having my own classroom someday. I want to be the teacher that changes a child’s life, inspires them to set high goals for themselves and encourages them to reach it.

College can be so hard at times and I get really anxious and scared. I worry about not passing my classes and exams, I worry about not getting my degree. Despite that I do not give up because I have to do this and I want to do this.

I cannot see myself doing anything else besides teaching, I have never been this passionate about something. I want to graduate and get my degree. I’d love to look at it and say, “I worked hard for this and I earned it”.

The idea that the students in my classroom could grow up to cure cancer, or become president, pretty much anything they want, brings me so much excitement.   I want to be the teacher that they remember, the one who helped them realize their dream and who gave them the knowledge needed to reach it.

Be the teacher that I needed as a child but unfortunately never had. That is what gets me through all the stress and anxiety, I know in my heart that all the studying I’m doing right now will be worth it in the end.

by Nicole Gongora

The dream of success motivates me to study – not my success, my future students’ success. I push myself through the rough spots for them.

I was a lost child in high school; I didn’t know how to apply to college, let alone afford it. No child should have to experience that. As a future educator, I am committed to helping my students succeed, achieve more, and continue onto higher education.  Every child should be given the opportunity to showcase their strengths and follow their dreams.

College was never a dream for me; it was a far off, unattainable fantasy. I met some inspiring teachers in high school who encouraged me to change my life and who helped me to thrive. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

I plan to work at a low-income school similar to the one I attended. These types of schools are the ones who lack resources. I will serve as a resource to my students and I hope to be an inspiration to them. In turn, I hope they become kind, respectful adults. I want them to see the virtue in helping others and I hope they will serve others in their future careers. I want to be the teacher they remember. I want to be the teacher that helped them succeed.

I’ll feel successful as a teacher if my students are successful in attaining their goals. If one student decides to achieve more then I will have lived out my dream.

by Madison Sherrill

I’ve decided to become a teacher because I want to show the value of compassion and diversity.

As I begin college this upcoming fall, my main motivation is the students. While I haven’t even met them yet, they inspire me to persist in my classes and stay optimistic.  My classroom will support innovative thinking and celebrate each student’s individuality.

As a classroom teacher, I want to encourage and positively influence the next generation. They should know that they can be successful and achieve what they aspire to become while making the world better. By teaching the value of inclusiveness and the power of kindness, my students may turn out to be visionary thinkers and leading members of society.

by Alicia Costin

I am returning to school after taking a few years off. After graduating from California Lutheran University with my BS in Mathematics, I wanted to land a job with benefits and begin my “adult life”.

While it took me a few months to find my current job, is it just that; a job. I have benefits, a full-time schedule, weekends and holidays off, but am I happy? Is this what I want to do as a career for the rest of my life? I have asked myself this question a few times and the answer is always the same; no.

My dream is to become a teacher and help motivate and encourage students to do their best in their studies and in life.  It is my dream to do what I was meant to do; shape young minds and help future generations.

When things become difficult during my graduate program, I know to keep pushing, thriving, and studying hard so that, when I do become a teacher, I can use this as a positive story to shape their way of life. I landed a job outside of college, however now it is time for me to land my career.

Related Posts

Who taught the first teacher, what can i do with a master’s in education, why teaching is still a good career choice, how to become a homeschool teacher.

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Home — Essay Samples — Education — Teacher — Why Be a Teacher: My Journey to Teaching Mathematics

Why Be a Teacher: My Journey to Teaching Mathematics

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High School Mathematics at Work

Essays and examples for the education of all students.

Traditionally, vocational mathematics and precollege mathematics have been separate in schools. But the technological world in which today's students will work and live calls for increasing connection between mathematics and its applications. Workplace-based mathematics may be good mathematics for everyone.

High School Mathematics at Work illuminates the interplay between technical and academic mathematics. This collection of thought-provoking essays—by mathematicians, educators, and other experts—is enhanced with illustrative tasks from workplace and everyday contexts that suggest ways to strengthen high school mathematical education.

This important book addresses how to make mathematical education of all students meaningful—how to meet the practical needs of students entering the work force after high school as well as the needs of students going on to postsecondary education.

The short readable essays frame basic issues, provide background, and suggest alternatives to the traditional separation between technical and academic mathematics. They are accompanied by intriguing multipart problems that illustrate how deep mathematics functions in everyday settings—from analysis of ambulance response times to energy utilization, from buying a used car to "rounding off" to simplify problems.

The book addresses the role of standards in mathematics education, discussing issues such as finding common ground between science and mathematics education standards, improving the articulation from school to work, and comparing SAT results across settings.

Experts discuss how to develop curricula so that students learn to solve problems they are likely to encounter in life—while also providing them with approaches to unfamiliar problems. The book also addresses how teachers can help prepare students for postsecondary education.

For teacher education the book explores the changing nature of pedagogy and new approaches to teacher development. What kind of teaching will allow mathematics to be a guide rather than a gatekeeper to many career paths? Essays discuss pedagogical implication in problem-centered teaching, the role of complex mathematical tasks in teacher education, and the idea of making open-ended tasks—and the student work they elicit—central to professional discourse.

High School Mathematics at Work presents thoughtful views from experts. It identifies rich possibilities for teaching mathematics and preparing students for the technological challenges of the future. This book will inform and inspire teachers, teacher educators, curriculum developers, and others involved in improving mathematics education and the capabilities of tomorrow's work force.

RESOURCES AT A GLANCE

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National Research Council. 1998. High School Mathematics at Work: Essays and Examples for the Education of All Students . Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/5777. Import this citation to: Bibtex EndNote Reference Manager

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Home / Blog

Inspiring a Love for Numbers: Qualities of a Good Math Teacher

February 13, 2020 

A middle school class is struggling with percentages and adding decimals. The teacher has tried explaining the concept in different ways, such as modeling it and using tools in class to demonstrate it visually, with limited success. The next step in explaining these complex ideas is making the concept relevant to the real world, so the teacher plans a field trip to a local restaurant. The students enjoy a meal together, and then the learning happens. When the bills arrive, the teacher explains how to calculate a tip in percentages, and then the students practice calculating their own tips and adding up their total bills.

The ability to make math applicable to students’ lives is just one of the qualities of a good math teacher. Continue reading to find out more about the qualities of good educators and how you can become one.

Explore Teaching Mathematics

From creating a supportive learning atmosphere to applying what you’ve learned in your own education, there are a few key strategies to becoming a successful math teacher. Many of these skills are learned on the path to becoming a math teacher, a stable career that is expected to experience some growth in the coming years.

Steps to Become a Math Teacher

Math teachers usually begin by earning an undergraduate degree in mathematics and then pursuing a teaching license from the state in which they live. Licensure typically involves passing a certification test in the subject area and then applying for a teaching license through the state Department of Public Instruction (DPI).

Job Market for Math Teachers

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects middle and high school math teaching positions will increase by 3% to 4% between 2018 and 2028, which is in line with the average rate for all jobs. Salaries vary largely by state, but the 2018 median pay for a high school teacher was $60,320 per year, while the median pay for a middle school teacher was $58,600 per year.

What to Expect in Your First Few Years

As a new teacher, you’ll be learning a lot on the job, though you will still have many opportunities to exercise the qualities of a good math teacher. Educators are in charge of planning and delivering instruction, making assessments, and meeting with parents as needed to discuss student progress. Many school systems have mentoring programs for new teachers, so you may have an experienced teacher’s support early on.

How to Succeed as a Mathematics Teacher

Math teachers must continue to learn, reflect, and improve their practice. Below are some skills and tactics they can employ to create better outcomes for their students.

An important quality in a good math teacher is the ability to help students form connections with the subject. Teachers must make sure students understand the concepts rather than just memorizing the equations. Instead of teaching math in a series of isolated units, instruction is more effective when it builds on skills previously learned.

Real-World Impact

Good math teachers show their students why the material they’re learning matters and how it can be useful in actual situations. Effective math teachers seize opportunities to get students out of the classroom to connect their learning to the real world in real-time.

Classroom Management

Teachers must be able to focus the class’s energy on learning by limiting behavioral problems. A valuable quality in a good math teacher is proactive management. Setting up the physical classroom in a way that flows naturally and allows students to access materials and work together can help limit disruptions. Another key to classroom management is maintaining student engagement. Teachers should strive to plan exciting lessons with enough variation to keep students interested and less likely to act out.

Dedication and Flexibility 

Great teachers are invested in their students’ success and go the extra mile to ensure each one understands the material. They may adjust their teaching strategies to reflect the learning styles of individual students or the class as a whole. Great teachers anticipate problems and plan accordingly.

Inspire a Love of Mathematics

Teaching math is a meaningful career that can make a big difference in students’ academic and professional lives. In this role, you can inspire a love of numbers in the next generation of mathematicians, engineers, and scientists. In addition to meeting the requirements for teachers in your state, the right education can shape you into an effective educator with a strong handle on the best qualities of a math teacher. Discover how Maryville University’s Bachelor of Science in Mathematics can put you on the path to success.

Recommended Readings

Online Educational Practice Games for Mathematics

Online Science and Mathematics Degrees

Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, “The Qualities of Great Teachers”

Houston Chronicle , “5 Important Characteristics to Become a Good Math Teacher”

Maryville University, Bachelor of Science in Mathematics

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, “Making Mathematical Connections”

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, High School Teachers

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Middle School Teachers

We Are Teachers, “10 Things I Wish I’d Known as a New Math Teacher”

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Classroom Q&A

With larry ferlazzo.

In this EdWeek blog, an experiment in knowledge-gathering, Ferlazzo will address readers’ questions on classroom management, ELL instruction, lesson planning, and other issues facing teachers. Send your questions to [email protected]. Read more from this blog.

How Teachers Can Improve Their Math Instruction

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I’m not a math teacher, but I assume that those who are, like the rest of us educators, can always use good ideas on how to improve instruction.

Based on the feedback I’ve received on the posts in this collection, I think you’ll be able to find more than a few useful suggestions.

1. 11 Ways to Make Math Instruction More Accessible to English-Learners

Breaking down math steps into clear language is one way teachers can help English learners grasp both the content and academic language. Read more .

2. Math Might Be a Universal Language. But Don’t Teach It That Way

Encouraging students to use their first language helps them make math connections, increasing their understanding and engagement. Read more .

3. Math Is Also a Foreign Language to English Learners. How to Reach Them

As tough as math mastery can be for any student, learning it along with English calls for additional strategies. Try these nine. Read more .

Here are a few older posts that are also helpful:

4. 10 teacher-proofed strategies for improving math instruction.

To move past “drill and skill,” educators can draw inspiration for creative math lessons from students’ everyday experiences. Read more .

5. Four Teacher-Recommended Instructional Strategies for Math

Four teachers share their favorite strategies for math instruction, including the Concrete Representational Abstract approach. Read more .

6. Twelve Ways to Make Math More Culturally Responsive

Four educators share ideas for using culturally responsive teaching in math class, including by helping students make community connections. Read more .

Similar topics from Classroom Q&A:

• 10 Strategies for Reaching English Learners

The opinions expressed in Classroom Q&A With Larry Ferlazzo are strictly those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinions or endorsement of Editorial Projects in Education, or any of its publications.

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An Educational Blog

My Teaching Journey

An Educational Blog Pages

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Reflecting on My Own Math Experiences

Hi thank you so much for being here..

Welcome! I am so glad you have come across this post! My name is Julia Park and I am a senior at Millersville University! I am an Early Childhood Education major and I have learned so much so far! If you have a moment, feel free to check out my previous blog posts!

In my last post, I shared information about learning centers in math class! In this post, I will be reflecting on my mathematical journey. My experiences in math have really shaped the way I teach my students.

My Early Math Memories

I believe that early math experiences can really shape a child’s mindset towards mathematics. It has definitely shaped mine. Unfortunately, it has been a long journey of growing my interest in math, and I am still working on it! 

When I was in elementary school, even up until my time at Millersville, math has been a huge struggle for me. I have grown up with the incredibly damaging misconception that you have to be a “math person” to excel in math.  A lot of my peers had the same mindset, which made it even harder to let go of those limiting thoughts. 

I discussed this in my growth mindset blog post , but “math people” do not exist! I have my own reasons as to why I thought there were math people, but children’s experiences often vary. I think my fixed mindset was formed from experiences with not-so-nice teachers, the pressure of time limits and the need for accuracy in class, and a lack of hands-on learning. Those are just a few ideas of why I think I have had a tough time with math and I will be discussing more ideas later in this post!

Although it was hard to get through math class sometimes, I am really grateful that I have had these experiences because I can learn from them and relate to my own students. I want my students to feel comfortable with asking for help and to know that it is possible to learn and grow in many ways!

What I Have Learned From Past Teachers

Through my time as a student in math class, I have had many different experiences with a variety of teachers. I want to share the good and the bad of what I have gone through because I think it is beneficial for teachers to reflect on all experiences related to learning. We can take what we learn to inform our own teaching practices. 

Positive approaches I have learned from teachers:

• Providing assistance outside of class
• Using a hands-on learning approach
• Giving time to practice skills in class
• Utilizing interactive math games
• Facilitating class discussions 
• Being kind and encouraging when a student is struggling 

Approaches of teachers that were difficult for me: 

• Focusing on accuracy only and not effort
• Putting pressure on students to turn in extensive assignments with a limited amount of time
• Teaching new concepts too fast
• Using too many lectures and PowerPoint presentations
• Not having time to reflect on concepts in class
• Being intimidating when a student is struggling 

Every student learns differently. These experiences are unique to me and not everyone will be able to relate to what I have taken from my past math classes. However, I think it is important to recognize that although one strategy might work for one student, it might not work for another student.  This notion emphasizes the need for differentiation. I will be discussing differentiation more in the next section. 

Strategies I Want to Use to Teach Math

As I finish this semester at Millersville University, I am leaving with so many new ways of teaching math that I was not even aware of previously. I have a new passion for making math class fun and interesting for my students. The following are some examples of strategies I would love to incorporate in my future math class: 

• My math instruction will be differentiated based on my students’ needs. I will monitor their progress through various assessments and observations to modify or individualize my instruction when needed.
• Hands-on learning will be included to increase the engagement and participation of my students. I want to make math fun and exciting!!
• Class discussions will be a huge part of my mathematics instruction. Discussions in math class promote a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts in children.  
• I would love to try to use interactive notebooks to organize my students’ learning and create engaging experiences. I had not heard of these notebooks until this year and I love them!
• Technology , manipulatives , and children’s literature are just a few tools I plan on using to enhance mathematics instruction for my students. 
• Parent involvement is very important for a child’s education and I will consistently keep in contact with families to increase this involvement. 
• I am very passionate about modeling a growth mindset for my students. I want my students to believe in themselves and in their ability to grow.
• I will strive to create a safe and welcoming environment for my students. I want them to be comfortable with sharing their ideas and to not fear making mistakes. To do this, I will value effort just as much as accuracy. 

Mistakes Are Learning Opportunities!

One of the biggest lessons I have learned throughout my time at Millersville is that making mistakes is okay. I used to put so much pressure on myself to be perfect and know everything, but that is not healthy. Teachers are not robots made to feed information to students. Instead, we have a purpose to learn alongside our students and to welcome mistakes as learning opportunities.

I am much more comfortable now being honest with my students in moments of uncertainty. I would rather figure something out with them than provide them with the wrong information. It’s really fun to explore ideas with students and work together toward a common goal. These experiences with students are valuable and strengthen the student-teacher relationship. When children trust their teachers, they are more engaged, motivated, and feel an increased amount of comfort when reaching out for help and sharing their thoughts with others. 

Check out my blog post about growth mindset to learn more about the importance of making mistakes and the value of having a positive mindset in math class!

Thank you so much for reading!

I had a blast sharing my mathematical experiences with you all! I have grown so much through the years and I can’t wait to keep growing as I gain more experience. I hope you learned about some ways you can teach mathematics in your own classroom! Thank you for reading. I sincerely appreciate it!

Published by

Hi! I am Julia Park and I'm a junior at Millersville University. I am currently studying Early Childhood Education. I am so excited to share my journey through my new blog! View all posts by Julia Park

Math Essay Ideas for Students: Exploring Mathematical Concepts

Are you a student who's been tasked with writing a math essay? Don't fret! While math may seem like an abstract and daunting subject, it's actually full of fascinating concepts waiting to be explored. In this article, we'll delve into some exciting math essay ideas that will not only pique your interest but also impress your teachers. So grab your pens and calculators, and let's dive into the world of mathematics!

• The Beauty of Fibonacci Sequence

Have you ever wondered why sunflowers, pinecones, and even galaxies exhibit a mesmerizing spiral pattern? It's all thanks to the Fibonacci sequence! Explore the origin, properties, and real-world applications of this remarkable mathematical sequence. Discuss how it manifests in nature, art, and even financial markets. Unveil the hidden beauty behind these numbers and show how they shape the world around us.

• The Mathematics of Music

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Explore the beauty and intricacy of fractal geometry, from the famous Mandelbrot set to the Sierpinski triangle. Discuss the self-similarity and infinite iteration that define fractals and how they can be found in natural phenomena such as coastlines, clouds, and even in the structure of our lungs. Examine how fractal mathematics is applied in computer graphics, art, and the study of chaotic systems. Let the captivating world of fractals unfold before your eyes.

• The Game Theory Revolution

Game theory isn't just about playing games; it's a powerful tool used in various fields, from economics to biology. Dive into the world of strategic decision-making and explore how game theory helps us understand human behavior and predict outcomes. Discuss in your essay classic games like The Prisoner's Dilemma and examine how mathematical models can shed light on complex social interactions. Explore the cutting-edge applications of game theory in diverse fields, such as cybersecurity and evolutionary biology. If you still have difficulties choosing an idea for a math essay, find a reliable expert online. Ask them to write me an essay or provide any other academic assistance with your math assignments.

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Explore the mathematical foundations of cryptography and how it allows for the creation of unbreakable codes and encryption algorithms. Discuss the concepts of prime numbers, modular arithmetic, and public-key cryptography. Delve into the fascinating history of cryptography, from ancient times to modern-day encryption methods. In your essay, highlight the importance of mathematics in safeguarding sensitive information and the ongoing challenges faced by cryptographers.

Writing a math essay doesn't have to be a daunting task. By choosing a captivating topic and exploring the various mathematical concepts, you can turn your essay into a fascinating journey of discovery. Whether you're uncovering the beauty of the Fibonacci sequence, exploring the mathematical underpinnings of music, or delving into the game theory revolution, there's a world of possibilities waiting to be explored. So embrace the power of mathematics and let your creativity shine through your words!

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Essay on My Teacher

List of essays on my teacher in english, essay on my teacher – essay 1 (300 words), essay on my teacher – essay 2 (400 words), essay on my teacher – essay 3 (500 words), essay on my teacher – essay 4 (750 words), essay on my teacher – essay 5 (1000 words).

Introduction:

Teachers are the ones who play a very vital role in shaping our future. From the Pre-Kinder Garden to your Post-Doctoral fellowships, they teach, impart knowledge, share ethical values, and imbibe morality, thereby shaping our personality as a strong one.

My Teacher:

Throughout our lives, we will be having many kith and kins who will hold a special place in our hearts. For me, one such person is my teacher. All of us, for sure, will definitely agree to the fact that the kinship between us and our kinder garden teachers could not be well-defined. I like my nursery teacher, so much. There is something very magical about her. Maybe, she was the first teacher in my life or maybe, she was very sweet in talking to all of us, I am unable to portray why she is always my favourite. I relied on her blindly.

Unforgettable Memories:

I have some cherished memories with my teacher. Whenever I think of those memories, it makes me blissful. On the last day of my nursery school, I started crying at the very thought of leaving her and having a new teacher. I had fallen sick due to crying for hours together. I skipped my food. My parents were not able to do anything. They called for her to make me feel better. My teacher travelled a few miles across the city and reached the hospital. She, then, said that she would never forget any of her students and asked me to write to her. I started writing to her every week from then on and she replied to every letter of mine. Till date, I look at my teacher as my second mother and she guides me in all my difficult situations.

Conclusion:

Having a good teacher who can share an amalgamated relationship with the students is a boon. A good teacher should be a good mentor, a philosopher, a guide, a friend and above all a surrogate parent to the children. I am lucky that I had gotten one in my lifetime.

My favorite subject is English and my most favorite teacher is Chitra Ma’am. She teaches us English. She likes me a lot and appreciates my hard work. She joined our school one year ago. Before that, I was not so good at English. But after attending her classes, we have all become much better at this subject.

I like her for many reasons. First of all, she teaches the lessons in a very interesting way. Even when we have doubts or questions, she never gets upset with us. Her best quality is her loving nature. She would come to school daily without missing a day.

Her dressing sense is nice. She wears simple salwar suits. She always speaks to her students softly and respectfully. I eagerly wait for her class and do my English homework on time. Chitra Ma’am puts a lot of effort in explaining every chapter.

There are many activities given at the end of every lesson and she makes us participate in all of them. Not only that, but she also encourages us to take part in drama and poem competitions. Since her first day, she made a rule for us.

All of us has to speak in English during the English period. Every student tries to talk in English even if the sentence sounds improper. She has taught us to never laugh at each other’s mistakes. This has improved our spoken English in a great way. Now, we are able to talk in English with more confidence.

Another great quality of hers is that she treats every child equally. After explaining the lesson to us, she asks each one of us different questions about the chapter. Sometimes, we also love to talk about our personal lives, like what do we like about our lives, how our parents work hard for us, and things like that.

When we get confused or need an emotional support, she is the best person to talk to. Her advice and suggestions are always positive. Last month, on teacher’s day, all the students wished her and brought presents for her. We also sang a song to her.

I made a beautiful greeting card for her and a red rose with it. She accepted it with a smile and thanked us for everything. I feel grateful to have such a gentle and great teacher in my life who supports me in every way.

In school, you tend to interact with a lot of people who can either impact your life positively or negatively. A teacher is one neutral person who will manage to strike a balance between the positive and the negative. Teachers have a huge responsibility that we students may not understand. All in all our teachers try their best to provide an education, guidance and discipline despite the challenges we might impose on them. The life of a student is entirely dependent on a teacher because most of their time is spent in school rather than with parents that is why teachers play a major role in shaping the lives of young children through school.

Who Is my favourite Teacher?

I have several teachers now that I am in high school but there is only one whom I can relate to as “the teacher” because of the impact he has made in my life. The teacher is male, of Indian origin and has a funny accent when he speaks. He is married and has three children. Actually, one of his children is my age and I know him through tennis practice because he comes to train with us sometimes. I like him because his sense of humor gives a good learning experience for the students. He is a math teacher and he is very good at what he does. Students tend to make fun of him because of his accent but he make fun of it himself, which gets even funnier. This teacher has been a great mentor to me and other student ever since we joined high school. I met him on a personal level one day after class when I needed clarification on a topic I had not quite understood. The teacher was kind to me and guided me through it. Since then, he took his own initiative to do follow-ups on me and I became really good in math due to his efforts.

Coincidentally, he also coaches my tennis team and we meet out on the field. We have won several awards as a tennis team under him. I feel connected to the teacher through his mentorship and he has become like a school parent to me because whenever I have an issue, he is free to help me out.

How the teacher has impacted my life in school .

Mentorship goes along way depending on the approach used. When I first joined high school, I did not have much confidence in myself. This teacher mentored me and made me believe in myself. The good thing is the attention he gives t is students because most of the times, he follows up on the performances and ensures that he does everything he can to help students improve academically. He has also been a role model to me through his way of doing things. He is dedicated to his work and he is an achiever. Through following his footsteps, I have been able to dedicate myself into studies and sports, which has helped me to achieve my goals.

In conclusion, good teachers are hard to find but when you find one, make the most out of them.

The word “teacher” depicts a person that teaches. English dictionary defines teacher as “a person who teaches, especially one employed in a school”. A more recent definition of teacher in the linguistics field is “a tutor that interacts with the learners in order to facilitate good learning”.

Types of Teachers

Old method teachers: the teachers found under this method adopt the rigid mode of impartation of knowledge. They control the class the way a king would rule over his subjects. Old method teachers are less concerned about the welfare of their learners, they are syllabus-oriented.

New method teachers: the tutors under this model are student-oriented. They are more concerned about their learners and their various levels of understanding. They accept and promote contributions in class unlike the old method teachers. New method teachers encourage the inquisitiveness of their students.

Attributes of a Teacher:

A standard teacher has all or most of the various characters imbedded in them:

• Compassionate
• Open-minded
• A good counselor
• Friendly and most importantly
• Approachable.

Attributes of My Favorite Teacher:

Personally, I see my teacher as a mini-god because he leaves his mark on me. He influences my life in ways that enables me affect changes wherever I find myself.

He is a perfect example of the new model teachers. Basically, he is student-oriented. In the classroom, he employs the Eclectic mode of teaching (this is the combination of all the modes of teaching “discussion mode, play way mode, role play mode, question mode” so as to facilitate standard learning).

He comes into the classroom; starts the lecture with a recap of what was discussed in the previous class, gives room for the students to ask questions that arose from the last class, answers them and then starts a new topic.

To start a new topic, he starts with a mind-capturing introduction that attracts the attention of all students. Once he is through with introducing the topic, he gauges our reaction in order for him to know if his students are on the same page with him or left behind.

Then, he moves on to the discussion mode of teaching, whereby he throws questions to his students and accommodates both relevant and irrelevant answers, at the end of this model, he sieves through the answers provided, pick the relevant ones and add his own iota to it, he also always applaud the courage of all who answers his questions.

He moves either into the role play method or the play way method, here he selects students to either act out the lessons from the day’s topic or summarizes what he has taught for the day. The use of this particular mode enlightens the students more on the topic being discussed.

Finally, he moves over to the questions and revision mode, where he personally go through all he has taught over the course of the period. During this mode, he entertains questions from students on their personal areas of difficulties. Occasionally, he gives assignments to back up his teachings.

During his teachings, he pays close attention to the expression, mood, sitting posture and carriage of his students. This tells him when his students are lost, sad, worried, hungry, sick, away in dream land or simply tired.

Once he is done processing the information gotten from our faces, he either finds a way of brightening the mood of his students, bringing them back from the dream world, or ending his class without breaking his stride or alerting the whole population of students to what is currently going on.

It is only normal for a human being to reflect his mood whenever he is talking or interacting, but my teacher hardly ever allow his bad, horrible moods interfere with his teachings.

Outside the classroom, my teacher is approachable, fatherly, and jovial. He entertains all and no one is excluded from his open arms, smiles and affections.

He is a good counselor who is always ready to help me out of my tight corners. He gives twenty first century advises in a fatherly way.

Although, due to my teachers lenient ways with students, some students tend to be lazy, disrespectful, stubborn or rude. He has a way of being firm, maintaining class control while teaching.

In conclusion, my teacher has all the attributes and more of a new method teachers. He is capable of combining all modes of teaching, he is compassionate, passionate, and friendly. From my interactions with him, I can confidently say that he is one of the best teachers around.

A teacher plays a very important life in shaping your life as well as career. A good teacher is a blessing for the students in their early years and helps them understand the world; learn moral values along with education. Most importantly, a teacher helps you the art of survival and brings out the best of you.

Why a teacher is so important in a student’s life?

Teachers assume the essential job in our life to end up fruitful invocation and business. A decent teacher encourages us to end up great individual in the general public and great nation of the nation.

Teachers realize that students are the eventual fate of any country. So the future advancement of any country is in the hands of teachers. What we move toward becoming in life is relies upon teachers. Teachers confer the information and data in the mind of understudies to dissect. Investigating in the circumstance what is conceivable is the most essential thing that we gain from teachers. Energy about teachers is imperative since they are the most essential individuals in the nation. What we’re seeing today in business, legislative issues, and society all influenced by teachers. In this way, in India, we commend teacher’s day consistently on 5 September on the event of the birth Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.

My Teachers, My Role Models

During my formative years, I have come across many teachers who have influenced my life for the better. Having being studies in a convent school, I got to face a much-disciplined environment during my school years. The teachers, although were very polite in their behaviour, at the same time ensuring that we all followed a disciplined life. We were taught how to inculcate these values in our daily life so as to be better human beings when we grow up and face the world. Although all the teachers were good, there is one teacher whose teachings I just cannot forget. She is Ms Kirti Bhushan. Her teachings have been so powerful and impactful that I can still feel them during my day to day decisions even today.

My Best Teacher

Ms Kirti was my class educator as well and took participation in the daily activities with us as well. She was a strict instructor anyway extremely amusing and mind in nature. At the same time, she was extremely restrained and dependable. She did her work perfectly with the class at a perfect time without getting late. I liked her, particularly as she attempted simple approaches to show us beneficial things. We made the most of her class. She taught us English subject as well. She even made us giggle by telling heaps of jokes in the middle of when she taught. She likewise managed us exceptionally well amid any school or between school rivalry of the move, sports, scholastic, and so on. She instructed us to share things in class among our associates, for example, lunch or other required things.

Her Background

She was from Varanasi and completed her initial studies there itself. She took her higher education degrees from the Banaras Hindu University. She was extremely friendly and kind in nature. She realized well about how to deal with little youngsters in the class. Her one of a kind style of educating is perhaps what I mostly recall her for. I even meet her at times at whatever point I have to explain some intense inquiries of my day to day issues, she advises me so easily and comfortably. She looks extremely savvy with shimmer eyes and fair hair.

Her Smiling Attitude

She generally smiled when she entered the classroom and first got some information about our prosperity. She additionally helped us in the games at whatever point our games instructor was missing. She had a smiling face even during the strict environment during the examination times. She constantly rebuffed to the students who were with fragmented home works. She was acclaimed for making loads of fun amid the class time and ensure there was a positive ambience all around.

She was an instructor with great aptitudes of educating, well-disposed nature, great comical inclination, understanding and nice. I am proud to be one of her favourite students, as she always said good things about me to other teachers. At times she gave us chocolates on doing great in the class tests and exams. She never gave us heaps of assignments at home. She was exceptionally eager and constantly spurred us for doing our best in the examination.

Teacher’s In Today’s Scenario

Today the general population are changing and their reasoning and advancement thoughts are more against nature. Presently for the world, a teacher is only a teacher. Various offices and departments only tend to remember them on teachers day during various events and usually do not remember them otherwise. Individuals also share few posts via web-based networking media with respect to teachers and after that just forget them. Individuals overlook a bigger number of things that they are gaining from teachers. Schools and students also praise the teacher’s day event and value the endeavours teachers are doing. This is incredible if individuals ought to pursue the exercises of teachers also.

The genuine present for teachers is when students turn into a decent individual, effective in their vocation and business. Not all teacher are great in instructing and comparatively, not all students resemble “Shishya and Guru” particularly in the advanced period. A few teachers are incredible and they are dependable in heart of students all life along.

Students admire teachers for counsel and direction. Students are inspired by scholastic exercises as well as they are intrigued to pursue their life exercises. That is the reason it’s exceedingly essential for teachers to motivate students to pursue great propensities not terrible by their own precedent. An instruction is critical in everybody’s life and assumes different jobs in various phases of life. It’s imperative that individuals understand the significance of teachers and pursue their teachers in the right spirit.

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Covering Innovation & Inequality in Education

TEACHER VOICE: Instead of worrying about whether math is easy or difficult, let’s make it welcoming

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Math education is living under a spell. Most classes and curricula operate under a pervasive and unspoken assumption; its benefits are widely accepted, but its flaws are all too hidden.

The assumption is that you learn math by solving strings of successively harder problems. At each stage, the teacher decides how hard to make the problems; that is, where to set the “difficulty dial.” The ideal is to gradually turn the difficulty dial from left to right, easy to hard, at just the right speed. For example:

First: Add 19 + 12. Then, later: Add 1989 + 1272.

First: Solve 2 x + 1 = 9. Then, later: Solve 2 x + 9 = 1.

First: Graph y = x 2 . Then, later: Graph xy + 25 = x 2 + y 2 .

There’s truth in this way of thinking, but when I start treating that slice as a whole loaf — when I catch myself thinking of where to set the difficulty dial as the only choice, or even the primary choice, that a math teacher faces — that’s when I slap my face, dump ice water on my head and write two crucial inequalities on my hand:

Easy ≠ Welcoming.

Difficult ≠ Challenging.

Focusing on “easy” vs. “difficult” can become a trap. The two appear to stand opposed, and so teachers can fall into the idea that we must pick one or the other.

But who really cares about “easy” and “difficult”? They are only proxies for two higher virtues, the actual qualities of successful instruction.

Related: Widen your perspective. Our free biweekly newsletter consults critical voices on innovation in education.

First, math class should be welcoming . Students need to feel comfortable in the intellectual work of mathematics. Teachers need to help them feel capable not just of solving an “easy” or dumbed down problem, but of tackling the real stuff.

Second, math class should be challenging . It should sharpen and deepen students’ thinking. They should master new skills and practice solving unfamiliar problems.

Unlike easy vs. difficult, welcoming and challenging aren’t opposites. We don’t need to choose between them. The best math instruction braids the two together, in puzzles that are clear yet subtle. A good math lesson, like a good sudoku, can welcome and challenge students simultaneously — welcome them by challenging them.

As a classroom teacher, one of my favorite instructional moves is “give me an example.” At any level of K-12 mathematics, it offers agency and freedom — and it’s easy to come up with such questions.

Give me two numbers that are both below 100, but that definitely add up to more than 100.

Give me an equation whose solution you don’t know, but you can quickly tell that the solution is not a whole number.

Give me an equation in two variables that makes it impossible for one of the variables to be 10.

Asking such questions invites diverse responses. They’re hard to grade in a standardized, objective way. That’s why textbooks and question banks tend to steer clear of them — and that’s why teachers must not.

Mathematical truth may be black and white, but mathematical thinking is not. We need questions that draw out all the shades and hues of thought.

When I taught sixth grade, one of my students’ favorite activities was writing questions for each other. At the end of each unit, I’d designate two piles on my desk: one for straightforward practice questions (the kind easily placed on a difficulty dial) and one for novel problems or open-ended puzzles (including, but not limited to, “give me an example” questions).

Nothing is more welcoming, or more challenging, than the chance to welcome and challenge one another.

When I first taught high school precalculus, my students couldn’t make heads or tails of piecewise-defined functions . Then I lost a whole lesson to a ramble about federal income taxes — and saw their heads perking up after weeks spent slouched on their desks.

That led me to a suitably welcoming and challenging task: Design your own income tax system. Give a table of brackets and rates; give the tax bill for a specific worker in each bracket; and, trickiest of all, give the tax bill as a piecewise-defined function of income.

I’m not sure if the project was easier or more difficult than the exercises we’d been doing. But it excited them more, and pushed them harder. It welcomed and it challenged students.

Since then, projects have become a staple of my teaching — not as a replacement for quizzes and tests, but as a necessary complement.

Related: Why schools are teaching math word problems all wrong

Kids, being human, prefer easy tasks over difficult ones. When the homework is too difficult, they mutiny; when it’s too easy, they shrug and smile.

But on some deeper level, they don’t want math to be easy. They want it to be rewarding.

I saw this the first time I taught AP calculus. In precalculus the year before, my teaching had certainly not inspired them. But now, as 12th graders, they’d name-drop their math class in the hallway, as if they’d befriended a minor celebrity.

“Can’t talk, guys. I’ve got to do the calculus.” “Hey, have you started the calculus?” “Ugh, I was up so late last night doing calculus.”

I say this with affection, having written a book on the stuff , but calculus has little obvious appeal. It’s unnecessary for daily life and irrelevant to most professions.

Despite this, my students thirsted for it. For these kids in Oakland, calculus’s challenge wasn’t a turn-off. It was a badge of honor.

There’s no way to make calculus easy — but that doesn’t mean it can’t be welcoming.

Ben Orlin is a math teacher who can’t draw. He is the author of “Math with Bad Drawings” (2018), “Change Is the Only Constant” (2019), “Math Games with Bad Drawings” (2022) and, most recently, “ Math for English Majors ” (September 2024). He has previously taught middle and high school, and now teaches at Saint Paul College.

This story about teaching math was produced by The Hechinger Report , a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Sign up for Hechinger’s weekly newsletter .

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At the beginning of the school year I received student achievement records. During the first, week faculty and administration met to detail our plans for the coming months. The plans are required to contain goals for the three month mark, the six month mark, and year-end goals. As a math teacher, I must understand how well my students can apply what we learn directly to assignments, quizzes and homework. What follows are some relevant questions and my answers to them.

What will you prepare for the meeting?

Goal Setting

• Sort students in order of high to low in terms of achievement.
• Quiz students to know what they remember from last year.
• Formulate methods for bringing the lowest performing students up to speed.
• Formulate methods to keep the best performing students engaged in learning.
• Interpolate methods to keep learning from becoming too boring for everyone.

To the principal, I would report my goal setting method as well as specific strategies. Having evaluated how well my students understand concepts from last year and judging from their previous performance, I formulate a system by which better students are challenged but those less so are not frightened off by failure. Futheremore, I plan to include ways of teaching math that will keep everyone engaged in learning. The most difficult challenge a math teacher must contend with is students becoming bored with the material.

What kinds of goals might you prepare for each timeframe regardless of the student data?

Here I specify goals according to timeframes. In the first 3 moths, I expect to bring all students up to speed from last year. By the 6 th month, I expect to have a significant portion of new material covered. By the end of the year, I expect all students to pass with a sufficient understanding of the new material. By this time, last year’s material will be less important because students must sufficiently understand the concepts in order to perform at the next level.

How will you measure your goals? I will measure my goals by quizzing students on a regular basis – say, once a week, on Friday. By 3 months, I expect 90% of the students to sufficiently understand the material from last year. By 6, I expect all of the students to sufficiently understand the material from last year and 80% the students to sufficiently understand at least 60% of the new material from this year. By year’s end, I expect all students to understand at least 60% of the new material.

Imagine a scenario where at the end of the three-month period, you have met less than 50% of the goals you have set for your students. What would your two immediate next steps be? Why? My plan includes a contignecny for this secenario. If it is shown that less than 50% of the goals I have set have not been accomplished. I will set aside time to work specifically with students who are missing the mark. My reasoning is that on average a majority of students will sufficiently achive the goals I have set. If we fall below the 50% mark, it will most likely be because there are a few students who are not effectively learning the concepts. Thus, to bring them up to speed will mean reaching our year-end goal. As a math teacher, I must understand how well my students can apply what we learn directly from assignments, quizzes and homework. At the beginning of the school year I received student achievement records. During the first, week faculty and administration met to detail our plans for the coming months. Here, I have iterated my plan as mandated by the administration

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Many say that teaching is a calling, a vocation, something they’ve always felt compelled to do. Others come to teaching in a roundabout way, changing careers later in life and finding themselves thinking, why didn’t I do this years ago? There is no right or wrong way to discover your love of maths teaching. But there are plenty of reasons why teaching is wonderful. Here are just a few. Have any more to add? Add them to the comments!

You get to work with young people who see the world differently.

You’ll have an opportunity to do a job that is influential to young people, who are the future changemakers in our society.

You will spend each day in a role that gives you multiple opportunities to challenge yourself, helping you to grow and develop in a myriad of ways.

You will have a great deal of responsibility bestowed upon you early on in your career. As soon as you’re in front of a classroom, you have immediate responsibility for individuals who have just one shot at their education between the ages of 5 and 18.

You’ll have an opportunity to be memorable in the lives of young people, to have them look back in years to come and remember you as a mentor. We all have those teachers that we remember fondly as being life changing. What a privileged position to occupy in someone’s life!

You are in a role that allows for daily problem solving, exploration, research and development.

You will have plenty of career enhancement opportunities, from being an advanced teacher to becoming a senior leader or department head.

You will have the opportunity to shape the curriculum and to be a thought leader and influencer.

You will be part of a pedagogical heritage that has inspired some brilliant literature and world-famous creative endeavours.

You will have the chance to work with a graduate profession that is curious, hardworking, liberal and intelligent.

You’ll be working in a profession that is always in demand and you’ll have the security of long-term contracts.

You will enjoy opportunities for continuous professional development (CPD) in a profession that positively encourages learning.

You’ll be actively helping to close the STEM skills shortage in the UK, which is critical for our nation’s economic success.

Your passion for numbers and education could inspire the next Alan Turing, Stephen Hawking or Ada Lovelace!

You’ll get to pay it forward in so many ways. Think back to all the wonderful things you gained from your own education, your past teachers. You’ll get to give back in a way that enriches your own life, as well as the lives of your students and fellow teachers.

So, if you’ve been considering becoming a Maths Teacher, we hope some of these reasons have resonated with you. What are you waiting for? There are tax-free bursaries available to help you through your transition, not to mention a whole host of excellent resources on offer. Read our FAQs and get started on that application!

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My Teacher Essay | Essay on My Teacher for Students and Children

February 7, 2024 by Prasanna

My Teacher Essay: A teacher is a person who plays a pivotal role in molding a student’s life. Some teachers remain in your memory as a key to a few life problems. A teacher imparts not only academic knowledge but also shares ethical values, and imbibes morality that shapes our personality as a better human being. A teacher falls next in line with parents to help students balance positivity and negativity and spend maximum time of childhood in shaping a student’s life. A teacher is a life-changing role model who influences your growth development, inculcating important everyday values. They are the building blocks of society with immense patience, tolerance, and a bright shimmering smile.

To assist students with relevant information on Teachers, here is a long and short essay as a guide for the assignments. Additionally, ten simple pointers that provide a basic guideline upon which one can frame comprehension.

You can read more  Essay Writing  about articles, events, people, sports, technology many more.

Long and Short Essay on My Teacher for Students and Children

Below-mentioned is a descriptive essay on 450-500 words, and a short 200 words summarized essay on the topic as a framework guide. A Long Essay on My Teacher is helpful to students of classes 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. A Short Essay on My teacher is helpful to students of classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

Long Essay on My Teacher 500 Words in English

My Favourite Teacher imparts valuable lessons and mentors the entire school-life in guiding and directing the path to travel. They strive to achieve a balance of positivity and negativity in every student’s life. However, like a coin, there are two categories of teachers- the strict teacher and the understanding teacher. An understanding teacher improves teaching scenarios.

The greatest possession of every teacher is the achievements of their students that they cherish. Their main goal is to encourage their students to achieve as an individual in the general society and the nation on the whole. The future advancement of the country rests on the teacher to mold the students to become successful achievers. They impart important messages that investigate the circumstances to gain essential life factors.

To commemorate the valuable life-lessons and love for teachers, in India, we commend the annual celebration of teacher’s day consistently on September 5 in the memory of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan , India’s second President. India homes great teachers like Dr. S  Radhakrishnan, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, Swami Vivekananda, Premchand, and many more who have imparted valuable lessons to tread upon.

Teachers are great role models who influence student’s decisions. For instance, India’s most revered President, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, achieved his position as a great aerospace engineer due to his teacher. Mr. Siva Subramania Iyer’s teaching on how birds fly influenced Dr. Kalam’s contribution to society.

During the ancestral era, a teacher was also addressed as a guru, who imparted spiritual and academic knowledge through the gurukul system, and the students lived with their guru to attain knowledge.

A role model is a person who inspires one’s ability to achieve something great. Teachers are the most influential people next to parents in every student’s life. Every child first learns through elementary school teachers. Then, the student’s next phase is the middle school teacher, who guides the students through the essential adolescent transitions. Students mature as young adults through their middle school journey with multiple life-related questions. A high school teacher helps guides and impart values to the student’s new life phase questions. The highest satisfaction or achievement of every teacher is to watch students grow to achieve success through respect.

During the formative stages of every student’s life, teachers hold a significant impact. Younger students hold immense faith in teachers and listen accordingly. This shows the significance of the teacher’s impact on students. As one grows, and drift away to college, then teachers become friends and mentors who inspire to great life achievements. Teachers unknowingly impart important, valuable life lessons to students. For instance, when a student gets hurt, the teacher aids him/her at the infirmary that makes the student feel secure. They play the role of a parent in school.

A teacher not only mentors, but they also adopt various roles when time rises. Over a period, they become friends when sad, parents when hurt, and great advisers. Thus, teachers are the great mentors who impact and shapes a student’s life. They hold many attributes that hold a special place in every student’s life.

Short Essay on My Teacher 200 Words in English

To honor the valuable contribution of teachers to society, nation, and student’s life,  in India, we annually commemorate and celebrate Teacher’s Day on September 5.

A teacher is a person who imparts knowledge and molds a student’s future through education. They play multiple parts of an influencer, role model, and even friends in a student’s life. A teacher holds numerous qualities and directs his/her students to reach a peak point of success. They are intelligent and have their ways to draw their student’s towards study. A teacher uses creative methods to help students concentrate better.

Apart from imparting educational value, a teacher is a conductor of knowledge with high endurance of confidence and patience as they hold responsible for every student’s future. A teacher knows their student’s potential and ability and assists in surfacing those talents accordingly. Therefore, individuals must understand their teachers with the right spirit.

10 Lines on My Teacher Essay

• To commemorate a teacher’s contribution, Teacher’s Day is annually celebrated on September 5
• A teacher assists students in learning essential values for life.
• Teachers hold responsibility in shaping and molding a student’s life
• A student’s achievements give teachers immense pride and satisfaction of good education
• Teachers take the role of second parents in imparting morality, values, and aid in student’s overall development
• They use creative and innovative methods to help students concentrate better
• India holds valuable and inspiring teachers that have contributed to the country’s
• A teacher is the guardian of a student’s future and social development
• A teacher is also addressed as a guru, and during the ancestral era, they imparted spiritual and academic knowledge through the gurukul system.
• A teacher never breaks his/her student’s trust.

FAQ’s on My Teacher Essay

Question 1. What are the essential qualities teachers hold?

Answer: Teachers hold multiple attributes such as a compassionate, friendly, patient, caring, competent counselor, open-minded, and approachable.

Question 2. Who is considered as an Effective Teacher?

Answer: An effective Teacher is a well-trained formal person who caters to all students, maximizes instructional period, monitors students, hold high zeal of expectations, and reflects on their ability and craft.

Question 3. What is a Teacher’s responsibility?

Answer: A responsible teacher prepares the daily lesson plans and educates their students at all levels. They assign their students duties on homework, grade, and document every student’s progress. They instruct students on a variety of subjects make sure their students reach with the engaging study plans.

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Essay on Teacher for Students and Children

500+ words essay on teacher.

Teachers are a special blessing from God to us. They are the ones who build a good nation and make the world a better place. A teacher teaches us the importance of a pen over that of a sword. They are much esteemed in society as they elevate the living standards of people. They are like the building blocks of society who educate people and make them better human beings .

Moreover, teachers have a great impact on society and their student’s life. They also great importance in a parent’s life as parents expect a lot from teachers for their kids. However, like in every profession, there are both good and bad teachers. While there aren’t that many bad teachers, still the number is significant. A good teacher possesses qualities which a bad teacher does not. After identifying the qualities of a good teacher we can work to improve the teaching scenario.

A Good Teacher

A good teacher is not that hard to find, but you must know where to look. The good teachers are well-prepared in advance for their education goals. They prepare their plan of action every day to ensure maximum productivity. Teachers have a lot of knowledge about everything, specifically in the subject they specialize in. A good teacher expands their knowledge continues to provide good answers to their students.

Similarly, a good teacher is like a friend that helps us in all our troubles. A good teacher creates their individual learning process which is unique and not mainstream. This makes the students learn the subject in a better manner. In other words, a good teacher ensures their students are learning efficiently and scoring good marks.

Most importantly, a good teacher is one who does not merely focus on our academic performance but our overall development. Only then can a student truly grow. Thus, good teachers will understand their student’s problems and try to deal with them correctly. They make the student feel like they always have someone to talk to if they can’t do it at home or with their friends.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Impact of Teachers on a Student’s Life

Growing up, our parents and teachers are the first ones to impact our lives significantly. In fact, in the younger years, students have complete faith in their teachers and they listen to their teachers more than their parents. This shows the significance and impact of a teacher .

When we become older and enter college, teachers become our friends. Some even become our role models. They inspire us to do great things in life. We learn how to be selfless by teachers. Teachers unknowingly also teach very important lessons to a student.

For instance, when a student gets hurt in school, the teacher rushes them to the infirmary for first aid. This makes a student feel secure and that they know a teacher plays the role of a parent in school.

In other words, a teacher does not merely stick to the role of a teacher. They adapt into various roles as and when the need arises. They become our friends when we are sad, they care for us like our parents when we are hurt. Thus, we see how great a teacher impacts a student’s life and shapes it.

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Crime and Public Safety | Escondido High math teacher arrested on…

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Crime and Public Safety

Crime and public safety | escondido high math teacher arrested on suspicion of sexual contact with student, kyiri tisdale, 31, was arrested on friday and is being held in the vista jail. police said they believe there is at least one additional victim..

Police and jail records identified the teacher as Kyiri Tisdale, who was arrested after detectives received a report of sexual misconduct last month and launched an investigation. The allegations included numerous acts that occurred for more than a year involving Tisdale and a former student, said police Lt. Ryan Hicks. The young woman has since graduated.

Also on Friday, detectives executed a search warrant at Tisdale’s Escondido home to search for evidence.

Hicks said officers arrested Tisdale at school as he was putting his classroom together before classes begin Tuesday. They wanted to make the arrest prior to the beginning of the school year, the lieutenant said.

Detectives believe that there is at least one additional victim, police said in a statement. Neither the initial victim nor the second suspected victim are currently students at the high school, police said.

Tisdale, who was identified by Escondido Union High School District as Ky Iri Tisdale, was hired in August 2019 as a math teacher at the school, a district spokesperson said.

“It is tremendously distressing that we begin the school year tomorrow with this disturbing news,” Superintendent Jon Petersen said in a statement released by the district. He said Tisdale has been placed on administrative leave.

“We understand that this situation may be distressing for our students, parents, and staff,” he said.

Petersen said the district is making counselors and district social workers available to assist affected students. “Our primary concern is to ensure that our students feel safe and supported during this time,” he said.

Tisdale was being held in lieu of $250,000 bail in the Vista jail on suspicion of lewd acts with a minor and unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. He was expected to be arraigned Tuesday, according to online jail records.

Anyone with information regarding the case was asked to call Escondido police at (760) 839-4722 or Detective Jesse Santaniello at (760) 839-4768.

City News Service contributed to this report.

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Nyc teachers blast new math curriculum amid leaked reports of failing test scores: ‘complete disaster’.

NYC Algebra teachers are dreading the next school year — when nearly all of them will have to use a commercial math curriculum being blasted as “a complete disaster.”

Last year, teachers at 265 schools piloted the Illustrative Mathematics curriculum, which Chancellor David Banks is betting on to improve the city’s lagging math scores.

Illustrative Math overhauls how teens learn math. Teachers must stick to scripted lessons on a rigid schedule. Students work in groups to tackle problems and are expected to “discover” the answers with little instruction. Gifted students can handle it, but those below grade level without the prerequisite skills become frustrated, teachers said.

“It’s the worst,” a teacher wrote recently in a Facebook chat group shared with The Post.

“No one was happy with it. The kids didn’t know wtf was happening when we used the lessons. Not to mention you get reprimanded by the superintendent’s office if you go ‘off script’ and don’t use verbatim the words in the curriculum.”

“It’s been a complete disaster,” a colleague agreed.

Another wrote simply, “SUCKS!!!”

The city Department of Education refuses to say how students at the 265 schools scored on the Algebra 1 Regents exam given on June 4.

“We do not yet have the results,” a DOE spokeswoman claimed.

But DOE teachers finished scoring all the exams within a few days, insiders said. Individual schools and students have received their own results. This month, NYC must submit scores to the state, which will release citywide and borough results in the fall.

But some data leaked to The Post already suggests troubling outcomes.

Students from more than 25 schools in three Bronx districts, including some that used Illustrative Math, scored an average failing 56.5 on the exam. That fell below last year’s Bronx borough average of 61.

In one Queens district that used Illustrative Math, Regents scores dropped from last year in all but two of 25 schools, an insider told The Post. 

A passing grade is 65, which requires that students answer 35% of questions correctly.

At Forest Hills High School, 660 kids took the exam, but just 44% passed, documents show.

 The school’s average score dropped from 65 last year to 62.

“Being forced to use illustrative Math for Algebra 1 brought down my students’  average score from 69 to 64,” a teacher told The Post.

The passing rate of the teacher’s English language learners — kids who struggled the most with Illustrative Math — dropped by nearly 20%

Among the hurdles of Illustrative Math, teachers must stick to a rigid “pacing calendar,” or schedule of lessons, which are tightly scripted.

“If my students didn’t get something, we had to move on,” the teacher said. “There was no time allotted to pull kids aside and help them catch up. They were frustrated.”

What’s worse, several skills tested on the Regents exam — rationalizing denominators, unit conversions, polynomials and sequences — are “not sufficiently covered” by Illustrative Math, according to a DOE instructional guide. That forced teachers to squeeze in those topics.

Bobson Wong, a teacher at Bayside HS in Queens and co-author of “Practical Algebra: A Self-Teaching Guide, said the curriculum offers “a lot of interesting problems and activities.”

But Wong, who did not take part in the pilot, recoils at the required uniformity:  “There seems to be little leeway for teachers to adjust the curriculum based on our students’ needs. Everyone’s got to be teaching the same lesson on the same day in the same way.”

Gary Rubenstein, a math teacher at elite Stuyvesant High School, which is exempt from the Illustrative Math mandate, says in his blog  the curriculum “is destined to flop,” largely because it assumes — wrongly — that students have already mastered the basic skills required to solve equations.

Illustrative Math is a key component of “NYC Solves,” a DOE math initiative expected to cost $34 million over five years, including professional training.

Mayor Adams and Banks announced on June 24 that all 420 NYC high schools — except six top-tier specialized schools — must adopt the curriculum this fall.

The DOE initially claimed on its website that Illustrative Math had the “endorsement” of a respected think tank, EdReports, which is funded by multiple philanthropies, including the Gates Foundation.

But EdReports disputed the DOE statement. “It is inaccurate and was not provided by or approved by EdReports,“ spokeswoman Janna Chan told The Post. The group does not endorse or recommend any curricula, she said.

Chan then contacted the DOE, which deleted the word “endorsement,” citing only a “review.”

The DOE also said the curriculum “has undergone a formal review  by a committee of NYC educators” and math specialists, but a spokeswoman would not name those on the committee or release its findings.

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