ABE 1 Running head: AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL ESSAY

Autobiographical Essay EmmaLee Van Diest Instructor: Jonathan Lord Education 201: Foundations of Education Online Course, Fall 2013

ABE 2 ABE Essay No matter where you grew up in this world you have had some sort of teacher, and it is most likely safe to say that at least one of your teachers has made some impact on your life in one way or another. Choosing to become a teacher can be more important than some people might think, without these people there wouldnt be people like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and all of the successful people of the world. Teachers are the most important people in the world, they educate and leave a mark, and if there is one thing in this world that Id like to do it would be to leave a mark. Educational Background From kindergarten to twelfth grade I attended school in the Kimberly school district, in the small town of Kimberly, Idaho that had a single blinking stop light. Currently I am in my fourth year at the College of Southern Idaho, studying physical education. In terms of special educational experiences Ive had, Ive never really been in a special program, although I have taken a few classes in college that have taught me how to teach physical education lessons to students. My education has contributed to my development as a professional by polishing my skills as a future educator so I can become a better teacher. It started back in high school, mainly in my senior year when my womens fitness class, a weight lifting class, became my favorite part of the day. The techniques I learned in that class sparked my interest and passion, and it made me want to become a teacher and teach others to have the same passion about exercising that I had. Once I entered college and got the chance to teach students I knew that is what I was meant to do. Teaching those students taught me more than just merely being told how to teach them. I recieved feedback from the students and I was able to more easily figure out what worked in the classroom and what doesnt, and how that can vary from class to class.

ABE 3 Work History As far as work history goes Ive only had one official job and I was hired on at Blue Lakes Country Club the week of my high school graduation in May of 2010. Although when I was in seventh and eighth grade I worked in the concession stand, called the Dog House after school and at sporting events. The Dog House was my first real experience with customer service and handling money and I believe that it prepared me for my current job. During this concessions job I had to prepare popcorn and sell snacks and drinks, in doing this it required me to handle money and perform a lot of mental math. My current job that I hold at Blue Lakes Country Club, I have many duties. My duties include, greeting the members as they walk in through the doors, presenting them with menus and silver wear, giving them water and ask them if they would like anything else to drink and if so serve them what they would like. Besides waiting on the tables I have my cleaning duties such as clearing tables, wiping down tables and counters, washing glasses in the bar dish washer. I have to count the till nightly to keep records of the days sales. Also I must restock the things that were used in the restaurant each night. This job keeps me on my toes and constantly moving and I love every second of it. I believe this job will really help me develop my future teaching career because Ive had so many different experiences working there. Ive learned how to deal with conflict in a calm and productive manor. I achieved this because some of the members at the club I work for can be extremely particular and hard to deal with, but I just have to keep calm and do my best to please them and if that isnt a possibility, I must be able to handle the situation in a professional manor. With dealing with instances like this I feel as if I would be able to handle a visit from an upset

ABE 4 parent or a confrontation from a fellow teacher better than I would have if I hadnt of had experiences like this. Service and/or Extracurricular Activities Currently I am not involved in any extracurricular activities due to my busy schedule. Although from the young age of seven I was constantly involved in some sort of extracurricular activities. In elementary school those activities consisted of 4-H, choir, and student council, I started each one of these activities when I was in second grade on through fifth grade. I was a part of 4-H until I was 14 then I dropped that and became a part of other activities that came along with high school. In high school I was a part of the pep band for all four years, was a part of prom comity and BPA (Business Professionals of America). Also I participate in bowling, and played on the varsity team all four years, and during the spring I threw shot-put and discus in track. I believe the experiences Ive had while being a part of these extracurricular will help develop me as a future teacher because Ive had many opportunities to be exposed to many different situations with multiple kinds of people. Reasons for Choosing Education as a Career The main reason I decided to become a teacher was because of the experience I had in physical education during my senior year of high school. I had always taken a PE class in school but once I got into high school they offered a womens fitness class, which was a girls only class in which girls were taught how to lift weights. I was enrolled in that class from my sophomore year until my senior year. But as I said before my senior year was the year when I found my call to be a teacher.

ABE 5 In my womens fitness class I had I fell in love with weight lifting and being physically active. Also at the time I was struggling with an eating disorder and working out helped me cope with that disorder and showed me how to live a healthy life. With the way this class influenced me made me want to teach weight lifting to others so they could see that there is so much you can get out of being physically active. There came a point in my womens fitness class where I practically became the teacher. I had informed my teacher at the time of my desired to become a physical education teacher and she would occasionally hand me the reigns, with her supervision of course. So it came to be that I would lead the twenty minute spinning portion of the class, which we utilized as our warm up each class period. Then as far as weight lifting I would guide the girls to help improve their lifting form so they could lift more efficiently and safely. The other career I though heavily about was becoming a physical therapist. Ever since I was a sophomore in high school when I took biology and dissected frogs I was fascinated by how bodies work. Then once I took anatomy and physiology I knew that I wanted to have a career that had to do with the workings of the human body. So naturally I thought becoming a physical therapist was the way to go. I feel as if from becoming a teacher there will be so many rewards that I couldnt even begin to anticipate. Though one reward that I hope to gain would be to know that I have had positively influenced and or enriched a students life. This may sound silly but a reward I cant wait to have from being a teacher would to have weekends and holidays off, since I have worked as a waitress for the past three almost four years I havent had a weekend off and I am so ready to have weekends off. I also think that teaching in its self is a reward because your students can

ABE 6 give you so much each day, weather they make you laugh or they inspire you, I think just the opportunity to teach is a reward in itself. Professional Goals First off one of my short term goals is to finish school and get my teaching degree, and I plan on doing this by just continuing to go to school and plug along and get everything I need to complete done. My long term goals are to obtain a solid position as a teacher/coach, and if the opportunity presents itself to work with professional athletes as a weight trainer. To obtain the long term goal of solidifying a teaching job first off I will have to finish school and my student teaching and have good references and finding a good placement. Conclusion Ive had so many experiences in my life that have led me down the road to becoming a teacher, I dont think I have been more grateful to find a profession where I could be a benefit and benefit so much from what I do. I believe that PE and every subject is just as important as any other, and it takes well qualified teachers full of passion to properly educate and influence students. All of the experiences I have gained from my own education and life experiences I believe will continue to prepare me to be the best teacher that I can be.