Reflection #1: Introduction

Hello Everyone! My name is Shelby Hirt. I am a senior at Angelo State University and will be graduating this May with a degree in English along with my secondary certification. I am from Wall, TX. I would describe my life as one filled with color, glitter, and all things cute and fun. I love my family and friends and my cat Miko. God has absolutely blessed me beyond belief and I couldn’t ask for a more wonderful life. 4 years ago, before starting college, I would have never imagined myself where I am today. It has been a wild and crazy ride, but it has been an amazing experience to witness the way everything in my life has fallen into place perfectly. I can’t wait to see where I am several years from now. At orientation, we learned that being a teacher is a calling, and I am a firm believer in that. I 100% believe that I was called to be a teacher. I am student teaching at Veribest ISD. Because it is such a small school, there is only one English teacher for the entire High School, so I have the wonderful opportunity to work with 9th through 12th grade. Everyone at this school has been so great and supportive so far. The staff is amazing and the students are so awesome! I couldn’t have asked for a better placement. I can’t wait to start doing lessons! After graduation I’m not quite sure where I’ll be. Ultimately I would like to end up in the DFW area, but I will gladly go anywhere until then. I have had so many discussions with fellow educators about the many different roles that a teacher plays. I believe the top three roles are an educator, mentor/guide, and a motivator. Teachers must be an educator first to be able to give students the content-knowledge that they need to succeed in life. At the same time, a teacher must also act as a mentor/guide for their students. Teachers must show their students life skills outside of content, and they must be there for their students in any way possible to help them succeed. Teachers have a significant influence on a student’s life, so it is up to them to show their students how to be the best that they can be. A teacher must also act as a motivator for students. Many kids come to school with all kinds of baggage, so the teacher must make an effort to motivate their student in life and show them the important things in life.