People become educators for a myriad of different reasons. Some people are forever changed by an amazing educator they once had; others yearn for the opportunity to make a difference in someone's life. While I, too, have had amazing educators and also wish to make a difference in the world, one could also say that I am in the family business. I am a third generation College of Education graduate from Auburn University. My grandfather, mother, two uncles, two aunts, and cousin all have Education degrees from Auburn. Not only do we love Auburn, but also believe in the power and privilege of a good, meaningful education. Because I have grown up seeing the good, the bad, and the ugly of being an educator, I feel it has better prepared me to go into my own classroom. I know better than to expect perfect students with perfect attitudes; no one is perfect, not even me. I have learned through this unique upbringing to not take my education for granted and to, therefore, strive at every instance to make myself a better individual and educator.
On Christmas Eve 2008, my younger and only brother, Kyle, decided to deviate from the family mold and enlist in the United States Army. After basic training in Ft. Benning, Georgia, he would then be stationed in Ft. Lewis, Washington, with the 4th Stryker Combat Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. Kyle and his division would deploy on September 13th, 2009, to Iraq where they are currently serving our country. Not only was Kyle's life forever changed by this impressive decision, but so, too, was my own. After some coaxing from him to look into teaching on US military bases, I realized it was something I desperately want to do. US service men and women are stationed all over the globe, but what I think a great deal of people forget about is that their family is usually with them, too. While it is the parent that signed a military contract, the child did not. The children of these brave men and women did not ask to be taken away from their friends and live in a strange, new environment. I decided that if I could share my passion for education and a love of teaching with these students, maybe their time outside of the United States might not be so bad.
As an educator, I hope to impart on my students the same quality of education I feel I received throughout school. Every child has the right to be educated; it is my job as an educator to make sure that education is the best one he or she can receive. My family have been invaluable to me as an educator, but none more so than my grandfather, Carey W. Philpott. My grandfather was born and raised in a poor, rural town in Randolph County, Alabama, where he then paid his own way through three degrees at Auburn, all while supporting and raising his family. Why? Because my grandfather knew the value and power of a quality education. He instilled that passion into ever member of our family and because of that, he has not only made me a better educator, but also a better person.
As an educator, I hope to impart on my students the same quality of education I feel I received throughout school. Every child has the right to be educated; it is my job as an educator to make sure that education is the best one he or she can receive. My family have been invaluable to me as an educator, but none more so than my grandfather, Carey W. Philpott. My grandfather was born and raised in a poor, rural town in Randolph County, Alabama, where he then paid his own way through three degrees at Auburn, all while supporting and raising his family. Why? Because my grandfather knew the value and power of a quality education. He instilled that passion into ever member of our family and because of that, he has not only made me a better educator, but also a better person.
Not long from now, I will enter my very own classroom with my very own students. The type of educator I am will be reflected in the type of students I teach. Therefore, I will strive to give my students my very best because that is nothing less than what they deserve. Former Auburn Professor George Petrie wrote in 1945 in a portion of Auburn's Creed:
I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on
what I earn. Therefore, I believe in work, hard work.
I believe in education, which gives me the knowledge to work wisely and trains my mind and my hands to work skillfully.
I hold these words with me every time I walk into a classroom as student, as well as an educator. To be a successful educator it will take work, hard work, but I know that with my education and my passion for learning, anything is possible.
