Why I Chose Teaching As A Profession

My choice of teaching as a profession was not made lightly; rather, it was the culmination of a process of reflection about what I wanted to do with my life, a decision I made a several years ago. I was 39 when I made my decision to change my career as a graphic designer to art educator. I have experienced life enough to know what I want. Unlike the age of 18, where you feel pressured to make that major decision, whether you are ready or not. I believe that this makes me a more serious and mature candidate for the teaching profession.

My family was also a significant factor for choosing teaching as a career. Naturally, my life changed when I had children. As my son became a toddler, he was fascinated with books, crayons and paint. I loved to share those pleasures with him, and I love teaching him things. As my son became more autonomous, I started to work at my home business, but something in my life was lacking. I had a need to do something that would fulfill me in a more mental and purposeful way. This is when I began to visualize myself as a teacher.

My enrollment at L.I.U. was a busy and uplifting experience. I learned so much and I was able to balance out my education with my family life, which can be challenging. I also knew that as I took education courses, I would become more knowledgeable about teaching my own children, which is very important to me. I take great pride in watching my children grow and learn, and I think that when I teach other peoples children, this rewarding feeling will be repeated time and again, and my sense of purpose will be fulfilled along with a mentally challenging and fun profession.

Through experience with my own education, I remember that my best teachers were those who were good at explaining content, were patient, yet firm with students, were always fair, set high expectations, knew how to motivate us, and used humor appropriately. They were excellent communicators who had a command of the subject-matter content they taught. I want to be like them, to be able to do what they could do, and yet I understand that I will have to forge my own style of teaching that will draw on my strengths, knowledge, skills, values and experiences.I have arrived at that point in my preparation, fully realizing I still have much to learn.

Yours Truly, Theresa D. Meyer-Kurka

Theresa D. Meyer-Kurka, Art Educator               http://www.theresameyerkurka.com