Teacher

Christopher, 8th Grade English Teacher
College Attended: Davidson College (undergrad)

What inspires you?
I am inspired by my previous failures. In teaching, I try new things all the time in the classroom, and when those new experiences work, everything is great. When something new doesn’t connect with my students, that is what pushes me to work harder and examine my own thinking before I go into the next day to make sure they can be as successful as possible. 

Tell me about your job. What attracted you to this career?
In college I took multiple education classes that taught me about the history and structures of education in our country. After taking those classes, I knew I wanted to make changes to improve our educational system. I joined teaching to understand the foundational block of our educational system, so I can make the best and most informed decisions as I move towards making changes on a more systemic level.

What obstacles did you overcome to get to this point in your career?
Teaching is hard. The daily grind of teaching pushes most people out in two years. There are so many students and stories that make teaching a wonderful career, but it also drains the energy out of your body. Additionally, I decided to teach in Houston, a city where I didn’t have any friends and not much family to lean on as I started by career.

How does a person progress in your field?
To progress in teaching, you need to read! There are thousands of resources that will help you become a better teacher. Additional schooling also will help to progress and give access to opportunities to be a teacher leader or coaching. However, wherever you can, take advantage of opportunities to be a leader in some capacity on your campus. Those are the opportunities that will standout on your resume and in interviews. 

Do you have any advice you would like to give future and current college students? 
Take advantage of the access you have to people in college. You will meet people from multiple walks of life in college, whether they are from different communities, states, countires, or something else. College is a place to grow your perspective, so talk to as many people as you can, so you can learn as much as you can. The academics in college will help lead to your career, but the people you meet in college will lead to much more.