Now It's My Turn to Teach

My graduation cap!  Representing my Norse spirit!

Below, is an excerpt from the reflection I submitted to finalize all of the requirements for my Northern Kentucky University teaching portfolio.  This is the last piece of writing I completed as an undergraduate.  

“If you learn something new every day, you can teach something new every day.”

"Making an impact is a goal that has always been important to me.  As I muse over the past four months, I realize that “changing the world” is what I’ve been accomplishing since the first day I decided to study education.  120 students.  That’s how many people I had the honor of teaching during my clinical experience.  We experienced knowledge, laughter, and, most importantly, we’ve made an impact together.  To see the students grow in their academics, share their excitement as they were cast in the school play, and support them after a win or loss on a sports team, is more rewarding than anything.  I take my role seriously because I instruct the future.  Teaching is hard because it matters.

The difficulty of knowing where to begin the final piece of writing I will complete as an undergraduate humbles me.  This semester overflowed with growth; growth I’ve witnessed in myself, growth in my students, and growth in my desire to teach.  Despite the late nights and the times I worried about my lessons, I genuinely adapted as a teacher.  I am equipped to make that final transition from “student” to “teacher.”  As cliché as it might sound, completing this semester means that a dream has come true.  Most of my past “final reflections” have started off with a little anecdote discussing how I would “play teacher” when I was a kid.  It’s surreal: I’m not playing teacher any longer.  This is my career!  I remember back to my first semester of college at Northern Kentucky University and how student teaching appeared intimidating; it was a feat that was worlds away from where I was. 

I began student teaching at an ideal time with my placement, Anderson High School, because the building had just finished a massive remodel.  All of the teachers relocated rooms and everything was fresh and new.  Being a new student-teacher myself, I fit right in as the year began because all of the staff was adapting just like me. 

I would like to reflect on how thankful I am for this life I have.  I am thankful for my parents and grandparents for their support.  I am grateful for my husband, who has supported this rigorous devotion to my studies.  Additionally, I am thankful for all of my professors and advisors who have taken such great care of my educational experience at Northern Kentucky University.  My love for teaching grows every day and I owe it to those who have supported me.  Anderson High School and my cooperating teacher were so gracious towards me and offered so many wonderful opportunities to be involved in their school.  I was welcomed and supported from the moment I stepped in the hallways. 

Making an impact runs in one big cycle; it ripples out in the world to places that are unbeknownst, places we ultimately can’t fathom.  Teachers have the duty to realize the impacts they make can ripple across generations.  I know, it’s a pretty big picture for this small bubble we live in; nevertheless, if you are able to envision what small actions magnify into crafting the world, we might just grasp a glimpse of “a greater purpose.”  It’s never too late to learn.  And you know what they say, “you learn something new every day.”

This semester had a purpose for me: learn how to be a teacher.  Coincidentally, that’s exactly what happened. 

Now… it’s my turn to teach."

-Morgan Bryant, December 2018