My First Year of Graduate School

As I near the end of my first year of graduate school, I reflect on what I have learned so far. Last Fall, I had no experience with teaching and didn’t know what to expect. All I knew was that I wanted to be an English teacher. What I’ve learned this year has shown me that teaching is much more than imparting knowledge to students.

Throughout two semesters, I have taken classes like Teaching of Writing, Teaching Students with Moderate Disabilities, Adolescent Development and Behavior, and Teaching English Language Learners. I always had a great respect for teachers, but after taking these classes, that respect has increased exponentially. The things teachers do for their students are remarkable, and even though it’s hard work, it has made me even more proud that I chose to pursue this as a career.

When I look back on my time as a student, I’ve realize that most of my favorite teachers are English teachers. For one of my assignments this year, I had to write a paper on my favorite teacher and why she earned that title. I wrote about my 10th grade English teacher and how she was kind and always encouraged us to be our best. Her class was one that I looked forward to everyday, and I knew we would have fun while also tackling the curriculum. I’ve realized that all my past teachers have inspired me to be a teacher, and I plan on using all the little things that I loved about their teaching in my future classroom.

To me, teaching is being a role model for students. Not only will I help students get through Shakespeare and To Kill A Mockingbird, I will also help them prepare for college and ask them how their day is going. I know all too well that adolescence can be a difficult time, and for some students, my class could be the one place where they feel free to be themselves. I look forward to my time as a teacher and thank those teachers who helped me get to where I am today.

Colleen M.

Boston Tutoring Services