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Running Head: AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL

Autobiographical Essay
Meaghan Spurgin
Professor Carol Billing
EDUC 201-002W: Foundations of Education
11 April 2014

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Autobiographical Essay
When I was a little girl, I used to play school all the time. I think I drove my friends
crazy sometimes because theyd want to play games or ride bikes, and Id want to teach them
how to spell and give them quizzes. I would spend hours creating grade books and assignments
for fun. Youd think that with my childhood love of teaching that it would be my shoo-in career
choice, but it wasnt. My dream was to be a veterinarian, spending my days caring for fourlegged children.
Then, around the age of 10, I developed severe allergies to everything with fur. In spite
of this setback, I continued trying to pursue a job in animal medicine. In my late teens, after a
year working as a veterinary technician, I was forced to admit to myself that working with
animals was not a viable option if I ever wanted to breathe through my nose again.
I spent the next several years working in a variety of positions, exploring every career
field I ever had the slightest interest. Quickly, I found that the positions I enjoyed most involved
working with two-legged kids, and realized that my childhood love of education had been trying
to guide me to the right path all along.
Educational Background
Up until the 5th grade, I attended public school in both Boise, then in Mountain Home.
When we moved back to Boise, my Mom decided it was the perfect time to switch me over to
Catholic school. Both my Mom, and my Grandma, had attended Catholic school at some point
during their educations, and I suppose thought it should be a family tradition. From that point
on, I went to Catholic school. From 5th grade until I graduated in 8th, I attended St. Marys
Elementary School. After that, it was off to Bishop Kelly, my Moms alma mater.

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If you had asked me before I had a child if I would ever send my kids to a Catholic
school, I would have said no. Now that I have a child, I hate to admit it, but I think I've changed
my mind. I love the idea of him being a part of the close-knit, family-like environment Catholic
school provides. The only thing I would do differently is to make sure hes a part of the
parochial community from the time he starts school, instead of halfway through. Since Catholic
school is so different from public school, and the students do develop such a familial type of
relationship, it tends to be easier to assimilate earlier as opposed to later.
I've been a college student several times since graduating high school. It wasnt until I
decide to teach that I truly felt like I was on the right career path. This is my third year at CWI,
and I'm finally getting close to my Elementary Education degree. My goal is to continue on, and
get my bachelors from LCSC or BSU.
Work History
Over the years, I have worked in a variety of different jobs, and held several titles and
positions. While very few of them are directly associated with teaching children, each has
helped shape me into the teacher I will be. All those different experiences have taught me a
great deal about myself, about people, about life, and most importantly, that teaching is what I
am meant to do.
Most of my work experience has been in food service; everything from salting fries at
McDonalds, to running my own food vending business. The main thing I learned over the years
through this type of work was how to deal with the public; specifically with people you are
providing a paid service. While teachers dont fit quite the same profile, a very similar
expectation of service seems to accompany teaching as a profession. It seems that many parents
feel their childs education is the sole responsibility of teachers and schools, instead of the united

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effort between family life, and school life, that it needs to be. There is an unfortunate
expectation to get a lot, for a little when it comes to what our society as a whole dedicates
towards building and supporting education. You can't expect five star quality on a dollar menu
budget. Education appears to be slowly moving away from the pre-made fast food type of
teaching model to a more customized have it your way approach.
I also had to learn regimented time management skills, as well as the importance of
being organized. Staying on schedule is crucial to food service, as it is to teaching. An
organized classroom, just like an organized kitchen, makes learning easier and more enjoyable
for everyone. I know how to think on my feet, and improvise. Plus, Im well versed in dealing
with uncomfortable and challenging situations thanks to my 10+ years in the food industry. I
feel confident and prepared for the less favorable aspects of teaching, like long days and few
thank yous, because of these jobs.
Another element of my work experience is customer service, both over the phone and in
person. These jobs taught me the problem-solving skills I use daily. I had to learn to read a
situation quickly, and respond even quicker, with an appropriate solution that satisfied all
involved. I can see this directly applying to how Ill deal with conflict in the classroom. I wont
be the type of teacher to ignore problems, or skirt touchy subjects. Honesty is key in building
rapport, whether its with an elderly lady over the phone, or a kid in the classroom.
Most of the jobs I've had ended up turning into a training or management position. I'm a
natural leader. Its not something I try to do; its just the way I am. I see this, more than any
other trait, being useful in the classroom. Children respond well to me, and the directions I give
them, because they sense that I am knowledgeable, caring, and mean what I say. My job history
has helped me to harness this ability to lead so I can utilize it, and put it to work for me.

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I've had enough different jobs over the years (pretty much in every field I've ever had the
slightest interest; veterinary technician, developmental disabilities technician, telemarketer,
nanny, daycare worker, care giver, housekeeper, cook, baker, vendor, server, framer, carpenter,
painter, sheet rocker you name it!) that I know, finally, and without a doubt, that teaching is
the only job for me. It gives me a feeling of purpose and completeness that none of these other
positions could. I truly cannot wait to be in my own classroom!
Service and/or Extracurricular Activities
As a teenager, I volunteered quite a bit. I first started volunteering as a candy-striper at
St. Lukes hospital in Boise when I was around fourteen. Every Saturday, I would get up early,
dress in all white, and spend the day helping patients order food, or answering calls and
questions at the help desk, or wheeling patients out after they were discharged. I really enjoyed
getting to meet so many different people, and it felt good to be a cheerful smiling face to those
who might need to see one.
Later, during my senior year of high school, I volunteered with Big Brothers, Big Sisters,
mentoring an elementary student in Eagle. For a couple of hours each week we would hang out
together at her school, doing art projects, or reading books, or working on homework together. I
remember having to brush up on my fractions to help her with her math. I also remember how
good it felt to see her confidence increase, both in her work and in herself. Knowing that I
helped make that happen made it feel even better.
Since then, most of my service activities have involved caring for my family and friends.
I'm the friend/family member people call to help them move, to install, operate, or fix their new
computer or electronic device, to babysit at the last minute, when they want to hear honest
advice, or they need someone to keep them company during a crisis. While these things may not

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serve the public, helping the people I care about is, by far, the most important thing I do.
Teaching will provide the perfect opportunity to extend a helping hand back into my community.
Reasons for Choosing Education as a Career
My own education experiences are a huge factor in my desire to teach. I have been
inspired by some of the amazing teachers I have had, as well as a couple really horrible ones. As
a student, I've been an overachiever, an underachiever, and as average as they come, so I can
relate to just about every type of student.
More than anything, the passion I feel for working with children is my main reason for
pursuing a career in teaching. Being around kids just makes me happy. Seeing their bright faces
light up when they learn something new or accomplish a task theyve been trying to complete is
the best thing in the world. They inspire me to be joyful and optimistic, and to find the beauty in
the little things that I might otherwise overlook or take for granted. Is there anything better than
finally discovering, after years of searching, your lifes calling? I was put on this earth to help
teach little people how to grow into the best big people they can be.
Professional Goals
My current goal is to earn my Associates degree, and then my Bachelors, in Elementary
Education. Once I've graduated and received my certification, my hope is that Ill be able to find
a regular teaching position in a rural North Western town. I've lived in Idaho my whole life, and
I love it here, but I'm willing to leave home and make a new one elsewhere in order to teach.
Once I've established myself as a teacher, and feel confident in my abilities to navigate
the classroom and beyond, Id like to continue my education working towards my Masters of
Education, perhaps even my Doctorate. I have visions of one day being a school board member,

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responsible for guiding and implementing new educational practices. I would like to utilize my
natural leadership abilities to unite teachers, parents, and politicians for the good of us all.
I want to be an advocate for children, for their education, their future, and our future. I
willingly and whole-heartedly assume responsibility for the success of the children I teach. I
commit to dedicating the time, energy, and inspiration required to help every child I encounter be
better than they were before we met. I owe it to myself to follow my heart and become a teacher,
I owe it to all the kids I know Ill help by teaching, and I owe it to my childhood friends who
tolerated me teaching school during playtime.