Why should I be teaching?

My decision to become an educator was influenced by my interaction with children from The Fifth St. Mary, Girls ‘Brigade Company in Jamaica and Sunday school at The Grace Baptist Church. These were my first experiences interacting with young children, and I realized the ease of communication even though I am a shy person. I was so fascinated with how active and verbal the children were as well as their engagement in play and other routine activities. What was rather interesting was how supportive and involved the mentors were. To me at that time seemed as if these teachers were giving these students “wings to fly”. They were so happy. Right there and them I knew I could help to make a difference in someone’s life. Thus began my quest of becoming a teacher.

Becoming a teacher means being able to connect with children whole heartedly and being able to nurture their growth and development. They also need to be provided with a sense of psychological comfort and security, which are sometimes missing due to home environment and parental abandonment. Respect, dignity, valuing and utilizing the experiences that they bring to the learning process and accepting their uniqueness are but a few characteristics necessary to become that effective teacher. Why should I be teaching? Nothing compares to being able to meet and fulfil the above mentioned in the lives of our nation’s children. Why Should I be teaching? There are lives to be molded, characters to be shaped, and knowledge to be transferred.