by K.N. Williams

Created on: July 02, 2008   Last Updated: April 28, 2012

Teaching: Remembering the Gift

When I think of my childhood, I think of the precious gift of education that sometimes went undelivered. I think about how some children took education for granted and cared little about their chances to achieve. At that time, I didn't know that a world existed outside of a small country town in Georgia. I went through grade school with the same idea of the world. However, in 8th grade, all of that changed. The world as I knew it was altered forever.

In 8th grade, I met a lady that put my future into perspective. Her words were like clouds that shielded me from the scorching sun of the small town desert. She made me understand that I had a gift that should not go undelivered. She instilled in me the desire to want to succeed. Her desire for me soon turned into my own desire, and I wanted to rise above what others expected of me. So, I began my journey. I finished middle school on the honor roll, and I was fairly happy with myself. High school was tougher, but I managed to rank 5th in my senior class. Throughout this journey, my miracle teacher continued to be a positive influence in my life. She offered encouragement where needed and discipline where required.

As I finished high school and began college, I will never forget the feeling I received in one of my freshman classes. I remember that I didn't know a single answer to any of the questions that were laid before me by the professor. I felt dumb. But, how can an honor student who graduated fifth in her senior class feel dumb? After carefully analyzing the situation, I realized that I was not prepared for college. I had to study twice as hard to learn things that others already knew. As the semester proceeded, the feeling of dumbness turned into shame, shame turned into anger, and anger turned into momentum. I was not going to let this happen to another student. During the second semester of my freshman year of college, I dedicated myself to the teaching profession.

At that point in life, I realized that I wanted to be the influence that can save a child's life from ignorance and poverty. I wanted to be that person of good character with the traits of dependability and trustworthiness. In essence, I wanted to be a rock. So, I decided to become solid and strong and to tackle a challenge that few today dare to undertake. I decided to teach.

I take this passion with me everyday. My dedication, content-knowledge, innovative and creative teaching strategies, and results make me an outstanding teacher. However, my reward is the success of my students.  My philosophy of education is this: children are jewels. As teachers, we must take our jewels, polish them, and show them to the world. We have to recognize that all children develop at different rates; however, every child has the ability to acquire knowledge. It is my job to guarantee that their gift of knowledge does not go undelivered.

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