You have been through so much, but I am positive that you will make a great teacher. You know how important good role models can be; you've lived it.
You said that you never wanted to be a teacher. Has this changed? I assume it has, given that you are now in the MAT program, but I wondered what called you to teaching, other than the recommendation to others and a sense of duty. I was also curious as to what you plan to teach.
It has changed. I learned that I can not decide how I live my life, that is left up to a higher authority. With that, I always played "teacher" growing up but I also played doctor too. It wasn't until my Maymester senior seminar did I learn that there were different types of doctors. My world changed with this information. After researching med school, I knew my chances of getting in were slim to none because I didn't have any of the classes needed for entry. So after graduating a year early, I decided to be 21 and take a year for myself. I applied top graduate school and got in. During grad school, I was the Americorps member with Communities in Schools and it placed me at Eagle Ridge Elementary. I was shocked by the school and the students in it. It was nothing like my elementary experience. But, I mentored students and just listened to them and it brought a sense of importance to my life.
Hi, Sheika! I am so sorry that you had such a rough middle school experience. Middle school is always such a rough time anyway, so that couldn't have been easy. That being said, what grade level do you want to teach? I hope that your experience hasn't ruined your perception of middle schoolers as a whole.
Hi Hannah. My middle school experience didn't change the way I view middle school. I do not know which I would like better middle or high school, but I am not scared to try both. I think that's why I like the idea of placement so much.
Hey, Sheika! I very much admire your openness about your life. I am not always good at talking about the bad things I've experienced to the point where I completely left them out when I was writing my own autobiography. What you did was very bold. That said, I want to congratulate you for surviving and for using your experience to help others.
I noticed that your concentration for the MAT program is English, but your degrees were in totally different fields. That said, what made you decide that English was the subject you wanted to teach? Also, what were your plans when you got your previous degrees?
I think I chose English because that is the least "structured" area in the school. What I mean is that with different state requirements a teacher has to teach literary devices, however, a student's imagination can go wherever he or she wants with those same devices. The imagination can not be tailored by the school. English was always my escape. I loved to read and write. As I mentioned in my bio Mr. Womack was my Muse. He would give us topics and tell us to write whatever we wanted. Big mistake. My writing was different, to say the less. But he showed me how to edit and enhance my skills. That is what I want to do for my students.
I actually learned more about myself, outside of school, with my previous degrees. For example, with Psych, I learned that humans are all different and that we all function, act, and behave differently. I learned to observe and listen. With Health Promotion, I learned the importance of poverty in a community and how that community will be negatively affected by these health issues. I was thrust into the Milledgeville community with this degree and that taught me people skills and first hand experience. I don't think the degree matters but what experiences that are gained during that journey is important.
Hi Sheika! Thank you for your openness and honesty in your biography! It was incredibly moving and inspiring and I feel privileged to be able to go through this program with you. I look forward to getting to know you more this year.
Since you have degrees in other areas besides English, would you be interested in teaching those subjects as well?
I think I chose English because that is the least "structured" area in the school. What I mean is that with different state requirements a teacher has to teach literary devices, however, a student's imagination can go wherever he or she wants with those same devices. The imagination can not be tailored by the school. English was always my escape. I loved to read and write. As I mentioned in my bio Mr. Womack was my Muse. He would give us topics and tell us to write whatever we wanted. Big mistake. My writing was different, to say the less. But he showed me how to edit and enhance my skills. That is what I want to do for my students.
Hello! Your story was not depressing, but inspiring. So many people don't realize that everyone doesn't have it as easy as they do. I applaud you for your hardwork and determination throughout your life.
My question is why do you want to go to Egypt in particular? I would gladly take the opportunity to visit any country, but Egypt is not somewhere that springs to my mind automatically.
This question made me smile. Well, I have traveled to Italy twice, and I wish I could pack up and live there but my boyfriend and I are researching ancient histories, and different cultures and the Egyptian culture is one that fascinates us both. And I went through a period in my imagination where I wanted to be an Egyptologist, until I found out some of the tombs were cursed then I changed my mind.
Your story is very inspirational and I love where you say that you’re telling it because we will have students like that and I can first handedly say you are completely right! I really want to know what motivates you? Who inspires you?
My motivation is my son and fear. I love being his mommy and watching him grow. But the fear of seeing him in pain, and in some of the situations I was in growing up makes me a workaholic. This is not a bad thing because it makes me a hard worker, however, even though he is two I give him lessons to show him that everyone isn't the same as him. But he is spoiled.
Hey, Sheika! Thank you so much for sharing. Like Abbey, I think you are completely right in that we will have students in our classrooms with struggles, and that is one of the ways that I hope to make a difference as a teacher. I hope I can help students like your teachers helped you! I think it's awesome that you work at the Give Center. Is there anything in particular that you like volunteering for?
Hello! I'm so glad your shared your story with us! I know that a lot of students at GCSU (myself included) never had to grow up in the way you did, but you never stopped working for what you knew you wanted and what you knew was best! Do you think you could ever teach in a place like McEvoy Middle? It is very hard to find good teachers in schools like that, but that is where good teachers are needed most.
You have a very inspirational story and I am very glad that you shared it with us. I am especially interested in how you were inspired to pursue teaching. You mentioned how Mr. Womack had such a big impact on your education and on your choice to become a teacher. What did he do to reach you as a student and inspire you?
Hey Sheika, I am so impressed with your dedication and ability to overcome such devastating circumstances time and time again. There is no doubt in my mind that you will excel as a teacher, and probably in any other goals you set for yourself. What kind of work did you do with AmeriCorps?
Sheika, thank you for sharing, it is both sad and uplifting ... have you found the study of psychology as another means of positive influence on you? I know the answer, but I'm curious in what ways. JF
Hello Sheika, your autobiography was very touching and I respect you for everything you have been through and you willingness to share it with us. I see you mentioned that you were involved in AmeriCorps. What exactly did you do while being involved in that program?
First off, Sheika, I would have never had assumed that you had a troubling background. I always see you smiling and very upbeat. We've only known each other for a brief time, but you have always inspired me to keep pushing through.
I think that your attitude towards adversity and being able to live out your dreams despite your past will inspire students who go through similar home situations. It's a beautiful thing when a student can see that you "made" it when they feel like they are in the trenches. Would you ever go back to your childhood schools to teach?
And though it is painful to talk about, you are very brave to talk about your childhood home life. What advice could you give to people in this cohort about having empathy towards students with a difficult and troubling home life?
You have been through so much, but I am positive that you will make a great teacher. You know how important good role models can be; you've lived it.
ReplyDeleteYou said that you never wanted to be a teacher. Has this changed? I assume it has, given that you are now in the MAT program, but I wondered what called you to teaching, other than the recommendation to others and a sense of duty. I was also curious as to what you plan to teach.
It has changed. I learned that I can not decide how I live my life, that is left up to a higher authority. With that, I always played "teacher" growing up but I also played doctor too. It wasn't until my Maymester senior seminar did I learn that there were different types of doctors. My world changed with this information. After researching med school, I knew my chances of getting in were slim to none because I didn't have any of the classes needed for entry. So after graduating a year early, I decided to be 21 and take a year for myself. I applied top graduate school and got in. During grad school, I was the Americorps member with Communities in Schools and it placed me at Eagle Ridge Elementary. I was shocked by the school and the students in it. It was nothing like my elementary experience. But, I mentored students and just listened to them and it brought a sense of importance to my life.
DeleteHi, Sheika! I am so sorry that you had such a rough middle school experience. Middle school is always such a rough time anyway, so that couldn't have been easy. That being said, what grade level do you want to teach? I hope that your experience hasn't ruined your perception of middle schoolers as a whole.
ReplyDeleteHi Hannah. My middle school experience didn't change the way I view middle school. I do not know which I would like better middle or high school, but I am not scared to try both. I think that's why I like the idea of placement so much.
DeleteHey, Sheika! I very much admire your openness about your life. I am not always good at talking about the bad things I've experienced to the point where I completely left them out when I was writing my own autobiography. What you did was very bold. That said, I want to congratulate you for surviving and for using your experience to help others.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that your concentration for the MAT program is English, but your degrees were in totally different fields. That said, what made you decide that English was the subject you wanted to teach? Also, what were your plans when you got your previous degrees?
I think I chose English because that is the least "structured" area in the school. What I mean is that with different state requirements a teacher has to teach literary devices, however, a student's imagination can go wherever he or she wants with those same devices. The imagination can not be tailored by the school. English was always my escape. I loved to read and write. As I mentioned in my bio Mr. Womack was my Muse. He would give us topics and tell us to write whatever we wanted. Big mistake. My writing was different, to say the less. But he showed me how to edit and enhance my skills. That is what I want to do for my students.
DeleteI actually learned more about myself, outside of school, with my previous degrees. For example, with Psych, I learned that humans are all different and that we all function, act, and behave differently. I learned to observe and listen. With Health Promotion, I learned the importance of poverty in a community and how that community will be negatively affected by these health issues. I was thrust into the Milledgeville community with this degree and that taught me people skills and first hand experience. I don't think the degree matters but what experiences that are gained during that journey is important.
Hi Sheika! Thank you for your openness and honesty in your biography! It was incredibly moving and inspiring and I feel privileged to be able to go through this program with you. I look forward to getting to know you more this year.
ReplyDeleteSince you have degrees in other areas besides English, would you be interested in teaching those subjects as well?
I think I chose English because that is the least "structured" area in the school. What I mean is that with different state requirements a teacher has to teach literary devices, however, a student's imagination can go wherever he or she wants with those same devices. The imagination can not be tailored by the school. English was always my escape. I loved to read and write. As I mentioned in my bio Mr. Womack was my Muse. He would give us topics and tell us to write whatever we wanted. Big mistake. My writing was different, to say the less. But he showed me how to edit and enhance my skills. That is what I want to do for my students.
DeleteHello! Your story was not depressing, but inspiring. So many people don't realize that everyone doesn't have it as easy as they do. I applaud you for your hardwork and determination throughout your life.
ReplyDeleteMy question is why do you want to go to Egypt in particular? I would gladly take the opportunity to visit any country, but Egypt is not somewhere that springs to my mind automatically.
This question made me smile. Well, I have traveled to Italy twice, and I wish I could pack up and live there but my boyfriend and I are researching ancient histories, and different cultures and the Egyptian culture is one that fascinates us both. And I went through a period in my imagination where I wanted to be an Egyptologist, until I found out some of the tombs were cursed then I changed my mind.
DeleteYour story is very inspirational and I love where you say that you’re telling it because we will have students like that and I can first handedly say you are completely right! I really want to know what motivates you? Who inspires you?
ReplyDeleteMy motivation is my son and fear. I love being his mommy and watching him grow. But the fear of seeing him in pain, and in some of the situations I was in growing up makes me a workaholic. This is not a bad thing because it makes me a hard worker, however, even though he is two I give him lessons to show him that everyone isn't the same as him. But he is spoiled.
DeleteHey, Sheika! Thank you so much for sharing. Like Abbey, I think you are completely right in that we will have students in our classrooms with struggles, and that is one of the ways that I hope to make a difference as a teacher. I hope I can help students like your teachers helped you! I think it's awesome that you work at the Give Center. Is there anything in particular that you like volunteering for?
ReplyDeleteHello! I'm so glad your shared your story with us! I know that a lot of students at GCSU (myself included) never had to grow up in the way you did, but you never stopped working for what you knew you wanted and what you knew was best! Do you think you could ever teach in a place like McEvoy Middle? It is very hard to find good teachers in schools like that, but that is where good teachers are needed most.
ReplyDeleteYou have a very inspirational story and I am very glad that you shared it with us. I am especially interested in how you were inspired to pursue teaching. You mentioned how Mr. Womack had such a big impact on your education and on your choice to become a teacher. What did he do to reach you as a student and inspire you?
ReplyDeleteHey Sheika, I am so impressed with your dedication and ability to overcome such devastating circumstances time and time again. There is no doubt in my mind that you will excel as a teacher, and probably in any other goals you set for yourself. What kind of work did you do with AmeriCorps?
ReplyDeleteSheika, thank you for sharing, it is both sad and uplifting ... have you found the study of psychology as another means of positive influence on you? I know the answer, but I'm curious in what ways. JF
ReplyDeleteHello Sheika, your autobiography was very touching and I respect you for everything you have been through and you willingness to share it with us. I see you mentioned that you were involved in AmeriCorps. What exactly did you do while being involved in that program?
ReplyDeleteFirst off, Sheika, I would have never had assumed that you had a troubling background. I always see you smiling and very upbeat. We've only known each other for a brief time, but you have always inspired me to keep pushing through.
ReplyDeleteI think that your attitude towards adversity and being able to live out your dreams despite your past will inspire students who go through similar home situations. It's a beautiful thing when a student can see that you "made" it when they feel like they are in the trenches.
Would you ever go back to your childhood schools to teach?
And though it is painful to talk about, you are very brave to talk about your childhood home life. What advice could you give to people in this cohort about having empathy towards students with a difficult and troubling home life?