Why Teaching?
When I first started looking into going to college, like many high school students, I was uncertain about what career I wanted to spend my adult life pursuing. My search for colleges led me to Hope College in Holland, Michigan, where I was recruited to play collegiate football. At Hope, I decided to go into education after reflecting on the crucial role that my public education had on me, and I felt that I could give back.
Teachers had been a part of my life since I can remember and they have had a long-lasting effect on me. There were a handful of male high school teachers in particular that helped shape me into the man I have come to be. These male role models influenced me both academically and athletically, because several of them were also my coaches. In fact, their impact was amplified through both of these interactions. I looked up to these men who shared their passions in the classroom and also observed their level of professionalism outside of the classroom in an athletic setting. They built lasting relationships with me that had a tremendous impact on my character. They instilled punctuality, hard work, determination, and perseverance into me. The men I am describing did not teach me these strong character traits solely in the classroom, but also on the football field and the wrestling mat. They coached me as an athlete and invested in me as a student to become a life-long learner. I do not believe these men knew it at the time, but they shaped the malleable character of a young man through their guidance and through leading by example. Teaching is a unique opportunity where an individual can make an impact on a young adult’s life simply by effectively doing their job and investing in their students, which is the main reason why I chose to be a teacher.
Educators have the best job in the world because they get to teach a subject they are passionate about. Personally, I love biology and health. The study of life and the science behind it gets me excited. I want to continue learning about it, while sharing what I have learned in a comprehensive and applicable way as a teacher. I feel the same way about health. What really thrills me is where the two subjects intersect. Teaching and learning about things that I am passionate about is what gets me out of bed in the morning.
A teaching profession is also a family friendly career. In the not so distant future, I plan to raise a family and be a father. Having a set daily, weekly, and annual schedule is very appealing from that standpoint. One of my goals is to be a positive male role model for my students and a good father to my own children. The fact that a teaching career is very cohesive with having a healthy family life is another reason why I chose to be a teacher.
Let me connect the dots of how I ended up at Spring Arbor University ("SAU") after starting out at Hope College. After my freshman year at Hope, I decided to hang up my helmet and focus on my education. To get a fresh start and help refocus my efforts in schooling, I relocated to SAU. Being from the Jackson area, I was familiar with the school and aware of their exceptional education program. Through my time at SAU, I was affirmed in my career choice, further developed the character that my teachers instilled in me, and was equipped with an even deeper passion for learning, especially in my content area. I look forward to every opportunity I have to teach and positively impact every student that I interact with.
Teachers had been a part of my life since I can remember and they have had a long-lasting effect on me. There were a handful of male high school teachers in particular that helped shape me into the man I have come to be. These male role models influenced me both academically and athletically, because several of them were also my coaches. In fact, their impact was amplified through both of these interactions. I looked up to these men who shared their passions in the classroom and also observed their level of professionalism outside of the classroom in an athletic setting. They built lasting relationships with me that had a tremendous impact on my character. They instilled punctuality, hard work, determination, and perseverance into me. The men I am describing did not teach me these strong character traits solely in the classroom, but also on the football field and the wrestling mat. They coached me as an athlete and invested in me as a student to become a life-long learner. I do not believe these men knew it at the time, but they shaped the malleable character of a young man through their guidance and through leading by example. Teaching is a unique opportunity where an individual can make an impact on a young adult’s life simply by effectively doing their job and investing in their students, which is the main reason why I chose to be a teacher.
Educators have the best job in the world because they get to teach a subject they are passionate about. Personally, I love biology and health. The study of life and the science behind it gets me excited. I want to continue learning about it, while sharing what I have learned in a comprehensive and applicable way as a teacher. I feel the same way about health. What really thrills me is where the two subjects intersect. Teaching and learning about things that I am passionate about is what gets me out of bed in the morning.
A teaching profession is also a family friendly career. In the not so distant future, I plan to raise a family and be a father. Having a set daily, weekly, and annual schedule is very appealing from that standpoint. One of my goals is to be a positive male role model for my students and a good father to my own children. The fact that a teaching career is very cohesive with having a healthy family life is another reason why I chose to be a teacher.
Let me connect the dots of how I ended up at Spring Arbor University ("SAU") after starting out at Hope College. After my freshman year at Hope, I decided to hang up my helmet and focus on my education. To get a fresh start and help refocus my efforts in schooling, I relocated to SAU. Being from the Jackson area, I was familiar with the school and aware of their exceptional education program. Through my time at SAU, I was affirmed in my career choice, further developed the character that my teachers instilled in me, and was equipped with an even deeper passion for learning, especially in my content area. I look forward to every opportunity I have to teach and positively impact every student that I interact with.
Mission Statement
My role as an educator is to teach, and in doing so, positively impact the lives of young people in my class and at my school. Students can only excel to the level of which I challenge them. Lastly, I strive to instill discipline, hard work, respect, punctuality, organization, and knowledge.
