I successfully survived my first semester as a teacher.
And instead of going out to celebrate, I sit here on my recliner and reflect on what happened. How did I get to this point in my life? Why did I decide to pursue teaching?
I don’t have all the answers, nor do I know how things will end, but one thing I do know is that I have gone down this career path (primarily) because of eight people. Not only have these eight people inspired me to pursue a career as a college professor, but they have each been overwhelmingly positive influences on my life.
From each of them, I took something different. My teaching style is essentially a hybrid of theirs, as I have attempted to pick out and apply select qualities of theirs to my teaching philosophy.
Mr. Matot: I’ve written about the major impact you’ve had on my life before. But specifically from a teaching standpoint, you taught me how to keep class fun. It was from watching you that I learned how to successfully manage a classroom while keeping humor a major part of the classroom culture. I always want to extend the same love and friendship to my students that you extended to me. You were also the first person to ever make me think teachers could be cool!
Brother Williams: My mentor. It was because of your kindness and patient guidance that I got into every graduate program to which I applied. From you, I learned the importance of going the extra mile for your students. You met with me two or three times a week, even when I wasn’t enrolled in any of your classes. Because of your example, I try to make sure I am always available to help out my students, no matter the circumstance.
Sister Bair: You gave me confidence to write. Leading up to that first semester of COMM 240, I had two very negative experiences with journalism. Your words of encouragement filled me with all the confidence I needed to keep writing and publishing. Seriously, no one has ever made me feel more confident in my own abilities than you have. I’ve tried to fill my students with the confidence necessary to succeed in whatever they do.
Embree family: Because of your classes, not only is public speaking somewhat easy for me…I actually enjoy it! But even more important than being a halfway decent public speaker, I learned how to love and accept all of my students from you. You taught me how to approach any issue in an unbiased manner, which (hopefully) encourages all of my students to participate. If that wasn’t enough, you two left me totally addicted to TED Talks.
Brother Skinner: You were my first college professor that I connected with outside of class. Our mutual affection for the Duke Blue Devils paved the way for a great friendship. I looked forward to your class just for the short conversations we’d have before and after class. I try to have at least one or two things I can talk about other than course material with each of my students.
Brother Bean: We were never very close. I enjoyed our interactions and learned so much from your courses, but I never really connected with you the way I did with the other names listed in this post. That being said, I have tried to emulate your teaching more than anyone else’s. I have all my students do chapter captures and a portfolio, just like I did when I was your student. In fact, I use my old captures and portfolios every week as I prepare my lessons! And just so you know, it was the courses I took from you that best prepared me for graduate studies.
Dawan: Let’s be honest, the family motto of, “WWDD? What Would Dawan Do?” rings strong. Were it not for you going to get your PhD, I wouldn’t have thought twice about signing up for more school after I graduated with my bachelor’s. But thank goodness you are my sister and constantly serve as a great example to me. You are the person who showed me the importance of education. I can only hope and pray that my students bestow a nickname on me that’s half as cool as the, “Velvet Barracuda.”
Hayden Coombs 