Being an educator is one of the best ways to encourage and help shape the next generation of people. We have a duty to ensure their growth and development in a positive, healthy, and safe environment. For myself, that is what inspired me to become a secondary educator. As a dancer who majored in exercise physiology, I knew I wanted health education to be in my career, yet it took me some time to realize teaching was that avenue. I have always had a yearning for mentoring and developing secondary education students, .  I am honored to be given the privilege to be a positive role model for students through physical education to show them the benefits of maintaining a healthy lifestyle as they enter into the adult world. 

 

       As one of my students, I will challenge, push, develop, and encourage them to have fun.  My goal is to ensure my students learn something new each day that can be applied to physical education, another course, and life outside of school. I want to ensure all of my students are successful in and out of class by engaging in group discussions, projects, and other interactive assignments to increase knowledge and build understanding of the material learned in class and the world around them. I will discover each of their learning styles and how they best process information so I can apply it to the learning to ensure their greatest success. From the beginning, I will find ways to connect with my student to make sure they feel safe and welcomed every day they step foot into my classroom and allow this to be their home.  I am excited to see how much my students and I grow, thrive, and succeed.

​

       As I continue to grow in my knowledge and skill of an educator and dancer, I want to implement those practices in other avenues that enhance youth development. One way would be opening my own dance studio to foster creativity of youth in a safe and welcoming space. I will also continue in research endeavors to understand the science behind physical education, the most effective way to implement that in the classroom, and ways to developing curriculum in this ever changing world.  I realize I may be the only positive influence on a student's life, which makes it more important for me to continue seeking knowledge become the best physical educator I can be. 

​

​