Important to Me

As a college student and teacher in training, one issue that is very important to me is the inclusion of disabled children in mainstream classrooms. I can see both the pros and cons in this issue. It's wonderful for a child with a disability to feel like any other child but at the same time, if the child is difficult to handle, it can be a real time issue. It takes a lot of your time away from the children as well as any effort towards education. I suppose that some children could be mainstreamed with no problem, and I support that 100% but if the child is unable to participate or at least be in class without causing disruptions, perhaps inclusion isn't the right way to go for those children. While I understand how this may seem unfair to those children who cannot be mainstreamed but think about the children who are in that classroom. They need time with a teacher as well and if the teacher's time is taken by those who need more help, where does that leave the others? So, I honestly believe that there should be an evaluation for those who wish to be mainstreamed. It could possibly put an end to all the controversy and maybe make things easier for everyone overall.

Why Teach?

I've been asked this question since I first decided to pursue a career in teaching. The most obvious part of the answer is that I absolutely love children. Being the first born, I was always taking care of my younger sibling and family members. Not because I had to, but because I wanted to. I loved getting to play with them, take care of them, and teaching them things. The first time I ever said I wanted to teach, I was in fifth grade. We had Kindergarten buddies. Each of us were assigned one or two Kindergarteners to help with whatever they needed. I was assigned two because there were many more younger kids than there were older ones. Well, I was showing them how to do a craft and then watched them as they did it. I believe it was that moment, that I knew what I wanted to be. Right now, you're thinking, "You still haven't answered the question." Well, the answer is simple. Teaching is my passion. Knowing that in some way, I've influenced a child's life in a positive way, that's the best feeling in the world. Nothing is more rewarding than knowing you have helped a child prepare for the future. Though I am not a teacher, career wise, yet, I have taught children something before. I've worked in a daycare and at summer camp, as well as babysitting jobs. For me, it was more than just babysitting. The same way I've taught them, they've taught me. The children have taught me about so much, including myself. It's a beautiful reward and I hope to do so for many more years to come.