Educational Philosophy Statement

My motive for striving to be the best teacher I can be is simple, I want to provide students with a positive role model and educate the next generation of life-long learners. Growing up, I never really had a positive role model in my life, but I always found support in my teachers. From Ms. Knight to Mr. Kennedy, I consistently possessed someone who encouraged me to be my best; this was especially important because I lacked a role model at home. My dad abandoned my family when I was young forcing my mom to work 80 hour weeks; she did the best she could for us, but that caused her to be absent from home a lot. Growing up in poverty with a single parent forced my sister and me to grow up quick or be left behind in the cycle of poverty. I knew
A few that allow their biases and perceptions of the world taint the next generation of learners. I know I experienced this phenomenon during my educational career. During my middle school years, I was a rowdy kid who cared very little for my schooling; I caused problems in and out of the classroom. I attribute this to the growing belief within me that the system was rigged against me due to my socioeconomic status. I believed no matter how hard I tried, I was not going to be able to afford college to move out of a life of poverty; therefore, what was the point in trying. However, after years of acting out and a declining educational performance, during my eighth-grade year, Mr. Kennedy opened my eyes to the full potential I possessed. He was unlike many of my other teachers, he saw me as more than a failing student with tattered clothes and a bad attitude. He helped work through my problems with me. As I was performing poorly in my other classes, I was doing excellent in his because I knew he genuinely cared about me. Mr. Kennedy is one of the best people I have met in my entire life. Without him, I do not know where I would be today, but I know I would not be performing to my full ability. With his inspiration and guidance, I was able to continually improve academically and emotionally. I went from wanting to drop out of school