Hard Work, Dedication, and a Passion for Teaching by Rachael
Who is your role model? Why?
There are many people I look up to in life, but the person I look up to most is my grandmother. She is one of the most important people to me, as she is an example of how to love others, watch out for your family, and put God first. My grandma has been there for me through thick and thin, and I know she always will be. Her life hasn’t been an easy one, and she shows us how good can come from struggle, and how life isn’t always tough. She loves deep, gives endlessly, and is committed to those she cares about.
What are you most proud of in your life?
When I first started college, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life. I switched majors a few times and was really anxious and confused. When I took my first education class at JCU to see if teaching was the right career for me, I fell in love instantly. I knew my experience in the program would be an uphill battle since I didn’t begin my education courses until my sophomore year. I have taken a minimum of 18 credits each semester so that I can graduate on time, and despite the stress, I have loved every minute of it. I am proud to say that I have a 3.9 GPA in the education program because of my hard work, dedication, and passion for teaching.
What are you passionate about?
Teaching is one of my passions. Knowing that I can make a difference in the lives of others, guide students to be confident in themselves, and help others learn so powerful. I am a lifelong learner, and I want to instill my love for learning in my future students, and be someone that my students can rely on. When I was in elementary school, I felt like my teachers only focused on the top few kids in my class (which was certainly not me), so I felt like I didn’t matter and that I couldn’t succeed. I pushed through anyway, and now I want to ensure that no student feels the way that I felt when I was in school. I can’t wait to have my own classroom one day where I can make a difference and teach my students to love themselves and learn as much as they can.
What makes you feel confident?
When I take care of myself physically and mentally, I feel confident. Taking care of myself physically looks like getting enough sleep, taking long walks, and trying to eat a balanced diet. I take care of myself mentally by practicing self-care, seeking help when I need it, and accepting myself for who I am. I always feel better and more confident when I take care of myself. I also feel confident when I dress up! Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE a good pair of sweatpants or leggings paired with a hoodie on a cozy fall day, but there’s just something so fun about getting dressed up every once in a while!
What is your favorite inspirational quote?
“Enjoy the little things in life… for one day you’ll look back and realize they were the big things.” -Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
If I could hop in a time machine, I would tell my younger self that it’s okay to ask for help. I have spent much of my life bottling up my emotions, struggles and fear because I thought needing help and having problems was a sign of weakness. This couldn’t be farther from the truth! I would tell my younger self that asking for help, confiding in others, and being vulnerable is BRAVE! It’s empowering to know that we are not alone in our struggles, because everyone has moments of struggle, self-doubt, anxiety, fear, you name it. Take a chance and be brave!
What have you learned from the pandemic?
It seems as though 2020 has been a really tough year on just about everyone. It’s been a year of change, uncertainty, and anxiety. My whole world was turned upside down when I had to leave my college campus in March and return home. A lot of things I thought were bad at the time ended up being in my best interest. For example, last semester I was working three jobs, taking 18 credits, participating in weekly volunteer service, observing in a classroom for my major in education, and taking on projects I knew I didn’t have time for. I didn’t know how to say no, manage my time, or ensure I had time for personal self-care.
When I was sent home on March 12, it felt like the end of the world. I had so much time that I didn’t know what to do with myself. I had increased anxiety and fear while I also struggled with motivation for my classes. Eventually, I realized that going home, focusing on classes and myself was one of the best things that could’ve happened to me. I now take time everyday for self-care, say “no” when I’m taking on too much, and have better coping mechanisms for my anxiety. The pandemic has taken much away from each of us, no doubt, but we can continue to find light in the darkness when possible, and learn from the past.
