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Kimberly Bates
Professor Robinson
English 101

Inspiring Young Minds

Freshman year of high school was when I first met Mrs.Neilson. I strode into her
classroom on the first day, flashing a brace-faced smile at my friends, and quickly sitting with
them to chat. I fully expected Speech 1 to be a class period were I could earn an easy A, while
sitting and gossiping with my friends all hour. I could not have been more wrong. Mrs.Nielson
floated to the front of the room. As soon as she took the floor the class was silent. She was rather
tall, this was accentuated by the high heels she wore. She had an easy smile and a bright
expression. However, as she took the floor that first day, what silenced the class was not her
smile or her height, it was the air she carried with her. She was powerful and graceful all in one.
She held herself up with such pride. Fourteen year old me did not know it at the time, but this
teacher would push me every day for the rest of high school high school. I did not know how she
would inspire me, drive me to do my absolute best, shape my writing, and teach me the life
lessons that I hold dear. I did not know that I would take her Speech, English, and Journalism
classes every semester in high school. I did not know she would have this influence on me, but
she did. She inspired me so much, I hope to carry that on and inspire other students someday, as
an English teacher.
Being a teacher is not as easy as Mrs.Neilson made it look. It is not all about making fun
lesson plans and cute bulletin boards. According to the National Education Association, "Our

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nations teachers help children achieve academically and learn the skills they will need to be
successful and productive citizens." Teachers carry the heavy responsibility of educating and
shaping the new generation. This means being a teacher involves long hours spent organizing
lectures, making lesson plans, and grading papers behind the scenes of their day to day classes.
Teachers must put extra time, thought, and emotion in everything they do so that they can inspire
students and shape the future. I watch my grandma, an elementary school teacher, work for hours
after her class everyday trying to plan out ways to help her students. She truly cares about her
kids the way any teacher should.
High school English teachers normally work in public school or, occasionally, private
schools. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, "[Teachers] work school hours,
which vary somewhat, but most also work evenings and weekends to prepare lessons and grade
papers. However, most do not teach during the summer." I hope to have a family and a career,
and these hours work out better for that lifestyle than most jobs. A job posting for a
charter school English teacher at ITT Technical Institute listed that applicants must be able to use
computers and software such as Miscrosoft Word. As a student in the Millenial Generation, I
know how to use a computer well. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, teachers
make a median of $55,050 a year. This is not a very big salary for someone who does a job that is
so essential to our society.
Because the pay is low, many people do not choose to become teachers. The growth
percentage of teachers in the US is 6% slower than the national average, according to the
Occupational Outlook Handbook. Teachers do not become teachers because it is an easy job or

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because they will make a lot of money. Teachers become teachers because they want to inspire
young minds. Teachers sacrifice their time and energy for the future; not everyone can do that.
Becoming a teacher is not easy, either. According SUU's Majors and Programs of Study,
teachers must acquire at least a Bachelors degree. It is recommended that teachers spend time
volunteering in classrooms. SUU also states that secondary education majors can participate in
public school student teaching. These training programs allow future teachers to learn hands-on
and gain experience in the field. ITT's job posting states that a minimum of one year of
experience is required to get the job. This experience usually comes from student teaching while
in a college Bachelor's program. It takes years to acquire the knowledge and training needed to
become a teacher.
Becoming a teacher takes a lot of work. Teachers have to put hours towards their jobs
outside of work. Teachers have to deal with rude students, difficult parents, and, on occasion,
harsh administration. They are not paid very well for their position. However, the pay off in the
end can be great. Teachers have the ability to shape young minds. They are allowed to inspire
and help students. No other job offers this opportunity. If a teacher can inspire even one student,
then all the hours of hard work are paid off. You cannot put a price on changing a life.
Teaching is not a career for the easily discouraged but I think my upbeat personality and
my ability to connect with people make me a perfect fit for the job. I am currently volunteering
in a third grade class. It is an amazing experience, and it is so rewarding at the end of the day.
Each student is special to me. The opportunity to influence their lives for good is unique and
precious. I am looking for opportunities to volunteer in high school classes and Im working
towards a Bachelors degree to increase my opportunities in the future. Teaching is not the most

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glamorous job, but I know that if I can inspire someone the way Mrs.Neilson inspired me, it will
all be worth it. Mrs.Nielson changed be from a bratty fourteen year old girl to a young adult with
a thirst for knowledge and a respect for the world around me. I dont want to just become a
teacher, I want to change lives and enlighten the minds of the new generation.

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Works Cited
"Charter School English Teacher." ITT Technical Institute. Careers Center, n.d. Web. 12 Nov.
2015.
"English - Secondary Education/Creative Writing | Programs and Major Info | Prospective
Students | SUU." SUU. Southern Utah University, n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2015
"High School Teachers." Occupational Outlook Handbook. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 8
Jan. 2014. Web. 12 Nov. 2015.
"Our Members." NEA. National Education Association, n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2015.