Why did I want to be a teacher!

Everyone has a dream of what they want to be when they grow up-some still dream about it. Now, surprisingly, I did not dream about becoming a teacher until late High School. My dream about being a famous Broadway actor with my name in bright, yellow, flashing lights. This all changed summer of my junior year of High School. 

My mother has always been a teacher. She started out in Special Education and now teaches preschool. Being my mother, teaching has always been in my life. I honestly never even thought about becoming a teacher because it was my mother's job. I should also state that my mother is my best friend! 

About the middle of sophomore year, she really wanted to go to this professional development in California for preschool teachers at a preschool called Roseville Community Preschool. This conference was three days long, and taught how important preschool to be hands on! The director, head teacher, and conference leader was by Bev Bos. She has written a multitude of books on how to effectively teach preschool! She loves the idea of hands on activities! Well ,my mother really wanted to go and her preschool paid for her to go. She did not want to go alone, and seeing a spark in myself, invited me to go with her. I saw this as a beach, tanning, relaxing vacation. This turned into a life changing event. This conference was called "Good Stuff For Kids!" and was run by Bev Bos, and the rest of her school staff. 

We went in the middle of July, just my mother and I. We met people from around the world! There was people from Texas, people from Canada, and even people from New York like my mother and I. I learned philosophies of teaching, what is vital in a classroom, activities that are engaging and developmentally appropriate, and so much more. At this time, I did not realize the impact it would have on me. I took this all with a grain of salt. These three days were long, non-stop, and fun! I got to make a fish print from a real fish I painted, have real snails race each other, sing songs and incorporate hand movements, and other preschool activities.

This is was when I realized teaching was the career for me! 

Looking back, it was not just a great memory with my mother that I will always cherish, it was not just a great learning vacation, it was what changed the future of my life! 

I wish I could go back and take more notes and remember more now that  I will use it, but what I do have and do remember will allow myself to become the best possible teacher I can be!