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Autobiographical Essay

Autobiographical Essay

Jackie Herrell

Professor Natalie Raass

EDUC 120 Foundations of Education

Spring 2017
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Autobiographical Essay
Introduction

Ever since I was a young child I loved being around kids. I have a sister who is

four years younger than me and when we were in grade school I was always the "big sister" to all

her friends. I helped on the playground, in the Brownies Scouts and even tutoring in classrooms.

Wherever there were younger kids that needed help I was there to fill the need. The more I

thought about it, becoming a teacher seemed like a natural calling. I believe this came from the

many teachers that inspired me with their endless support and guidance. Their desire to help and

watch kids succeed, rooted something in me that only grew as I got older.

Educational Background

I attended two elementary schools in the Treasure Valley. I attended Maranatha Christian

School for Kindergarten and First grade and Eagle Hills Elementary School for second through

fifth grade. For Jr. High I attended Lowell Scott Middle School which led

to my secondary education at Meridian High School. I am currently in my post-secondary years

of Education at the College of Western Idaho. To which I plan on transferring to Boise State

University to get my bachelor's degree in Elementary Education.

The education I have received this far has helped shape my growing desire since I was

a young child. I was impacted by the way my teachers guided and directed me. I was always

an eager student filled with an excitement to go to school and learn. I had average grades, but an

above average approach. The encouragement received from teachers was the fuel I needed,

especially going into those hard to navigate teenage years. Once through

Jr High my secondary education lead me to graduate early, when I was only sixteen. I put

thoughts of college on hold while I was promoted to restaurant manager at sixteen; I will touch
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on that later. During that time, I got married and began a family. My desire to learn more and be

around kids was still deep.

I took some child development classes and began working with a non-

profit called Babysteps; I began mentoring new parents with young children from birth up to

three years old. This was both wonderful and enriching. I got to bring my kids with me while

doing something I loved; working with children and families. Helping them to become

productive citizens and giving them a hand up in learning to navigate life. During my time

working with this program, I learned that educators of all kinds need to come

alongside parents and become a partnering force in advocating for children. Little did I know that

would be helpful to know and understand as my children entered school.

Work History and Experience

My first job was when I was fifteen. I applied at a new restaurant in Boise called Kenny

Rogers Roasters. At the time that was the place to work. Known for their cornbread and wood

fire roasted chicken. I took that job and ran with it. I worked hard and did well. Nearly

everything I did was customer service related. I was on the front line chatting with the customers,

taking orders, getting their order together, working the cash register, restocking items and so on.

I was a quick learner and began learning the ropes of the entire operation. When I proved my

worth and was noticed for my persistence I was promoted to manager, which also included

opening 2 other stores in the area. My tasks included; open and close the store, get food ready for

the day, order product, unload product, conduct monthly inventory, interviewing potential

employees, hiring, new employee training, run all cash procedures and so on. I loved every

aspect of this environment and since I thrived at it, the pay was good and it challenged me in

different ways each day; I didn't think about going to school to further my education for quite a
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while. In fact, I did restaurant management from the age of sixteen until twenty-four. Looking

back, that experience helped shape who I am today. I was able to learn about people, what it

means to serve others and it helped me to run my days on my toes which is what working with

kids is like. You have to be ready for the unknown.

By the time I was twenty-three I had been married for four years and my husband and I were

expecting our first child. I always knew I would be a stay at home mom. I began going to these

parenting and enrichments classes with a program called Babysteps. To which, after about six

months of participation I ended up being asked to mentor other parents and help out with their

children. This program helps new parents with the questions and concerns that come along with

being a new parent. Anything from sleeping, eating, nutrition, child rearing, socializing, body

changes, depression, anxiety and so on. In this program parents are able to talk freely with others

who have the same concerns or questions.

During these classes parents can let their children socialize under their supervision or under

the care of staff at no cost. This allows them a break, a chance to breathe and a moment to have

contact with others who understand the struggles that can come along with being a new parent. I

gained a lot of understanding being on both sides of the coin within this non-profit. Not only did

I learn a lot when I was attending, but I learned even more mentoring other parents. I learned a

new side of grace, patience and second chances. I learned things you can only learn working

closely with people where they feel safe to share their deepest hurts, struggles and pains. I was

able to sit in their world and gain understanding to the barriers we build and the microscope we

all tend to put ourselves under. I learned how to build a bridge with parents based on more than

what comes with authority. Working together with these parents and helping them with their
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children was a blessing. Early childhood education gives you a chance to see the seeds before

they become sprouts and that is a timeless.

Once my youngest was in school I had a desire to get back into the workforce. As I stated

already, I always knew I wanted to be a stay at home mom and so I still wanted the freedom to

be home when my kids were home. The idea of going back to school seemed so crazy, but the

more I thought about it the ore it made sense. My love for education and teaching was still deep

inside. The more time I spent volunteering at my kid’s school, the more I wanted to be a

permanent part of that environment. Creating, shaping and molding these littlest minds.

Wondering if I could manage it all I went ahead and jumped into it. It was that decision that

prompted the Admin to bring me on staff. I had already come to know and love many students

and families since I was very involved at the school. When all of this fell into place it solidified

the decision in my mind.

Since working at the school I have gained a whole other side of knowledge and insight to

being a teacher. Yes, your day is consistent from day to day, but kids don't always act the same

two days in a row. Which of course creates a unique environment when you have twenty-five

little minds and bodies. Children are ever changing and you need to be ready to tackle that head

on each and every day. The thing I have learned since working at the school is that you need to

explain things very precisely, detailing almost every possible scenario. You also must hold up to

your expectations and hold your word when handing down rewards and consequences alike.

I have mastered the Love and Logic technique, which is golden when getting children to do what

you want them to do.

All of these opportunities and experiences have prepared me to be a well-rounded future

educator. All of my years in customer service helped me to communicate with many different
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types of people from all walks of life. Working closely with parents helped me to build a bond of

understanding and meet them where they're at. Working at the school has helped me to

understand the classroom dynamic better and is preparing me today for a better tomorrow

for our children.

Education as a Career

Being a teacher at the elementary level is definitely in my DNA. I love watching these little

minds soak up everything they can. Seeing the lights go on in their eyes when they

have mastered something is priceless. Children bring a whole new understanding and meaning to

life. There are many children, such as mine, that are given plenty of opportunities in life to

be loved, to be given understanding, to laugh, to try, to win, to fail or to become something. Then

there are the ones that aren't as fortunate. Life is just a little harder and sometimes they feel as

though they will never get a chance to be happy. Teachers are given a very special opportunity to

deliver these to all children with the hopes that the ones who don't receive these things regularly

will be forever touched by the presence of love in their life that they learn to reach for the stars.

Never give up and become a world changer one child at a time. We are Teachers.

Ethical Reasoning in Education

on testing. Tests being done on what the students know, finding where their knowledge baseline

is and assessing what needs to be done to get them where they need to be. However, I question

the effectiveness “Despite the promise of these techniques, further research is needed to more

firmly establish their efficacy in the classroom and to discover how they can best be used to

ensure robust learning and comprehension” (Dunlosky and Rawson 2012). I don’t think all of

these assessments are done in vain. I understand the utilitarianism approach and it being a benefit

of a majority, but where is the line? While there is evidence that frequent testing and repetition of
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tested items can improve course performance up to about 10% (Foss) and I agree with catching

students who are at risk. There should be a modification in how we as educators decide the

timing. Begin asking ourselves one big question, who is this benefitting more? I understand these

assessments benefit the students, but to have so many of them? I do believe the standardized

state testing is important. To see where schools are at a local level and making sure they are

aligned nationally. More measures are being taken when it comes to standardized testing and

who has the control with the final say. Legislators are more concerned with providing equality

for all, that we have actually lost quality and our moral compass. With dollar signs in their eyes

testing is expected and in return financial support is given. Creating a healthy revenue for those

in line for payment. Yet again, who is benefiting from this? Looks like we need to lay egoism

aside, since funding seems to be a motivating factor in these state and local assessments.

Sometimes I think the best thing to do is to just let the student learn. There are many students

who feel the pressure of these assessments and so it makes me question how accurate they are at

such a young age. To move forward in a positive way, we should maintain control at a local

level, refocus on our students, spend less time and money on testing hours and more time on the

individual needs of each child in the classroom.

Considerations for Choosing Education as a Career

Taking all my life experiences and my love to watch children grow is why I know I would

make a great teacher. If I ever chose to do anything else it would be to go back into the restaurant

business. Either to manage or owning my own. I love people, the fast paced environment and the

everyday challenges that can arise. However, I have a love for the classroom and it really feels

like a second home. Sometimes you can’t always explain something that just fits a person, you

almost need to see it to understand it. I feel that way when trying to explain it to people at times.
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So what grade what I succeed in? I connect quickly with the younger children so I definitely

think I would do better in a second through fifth grade classroom. Much of this comes from the

years working with younger kids. It’s what I’ve always known so I am extremely comfortable

with it. I could work with the upper grades, but more as a support staff. I believe part of my

apprehension is just my comfort level with that age group since I have little experience. Either

way I don’t need to look far to know that education is rooted deep in my blood. Between the

times I have poured into other kids and the endless hours spent pouring into my own there is an

emotion that can’t be explained when I see the light come on when a child understands what

you’ve been teaching them. Having a voice that can help our future generation thrive is my goal

as an educator.

Professional Goals

During these past few year I have evaluated my plans, goals and ideas for where I want to be

in the educations field. There are so many options and knowing where I want to be now has only

helped prepare me for tomorrow. My goal as of now is to finish up at College of Western Idaho

by the 2018 fall semester. Following my long term goal, which is to transfer to Boise State

University for my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. At which I will also focus on

Educational Technology. I will do this while continuing to work at the charter school I am

employed by. Give this opportunity to work for this amazing school was a huge goal that I opted

into right away. So in many ways I have achieved many goals. Having the ability to work here

has prepared me to be great educator by getting the privilege to watch some of the most talented
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teachers. With my love for education, a supportive staff and a school that is dedicated to hard

work I know I am where I belong. I look forward to being a part of this school family for many

years to come.

References
Foss, D. J., & Pirozzolo, J. W. (2017). Four semesters investigating frequency of testing, the
testing effect, and transfer of training. Journal Of Educational Psychology, 109(8), 1067-
1083. doi:10.1037/edu0000197