Motivation Vision Board by Elizabeth Piegat

Tip #1: Find Mentors

epiegat — 2022-02-06 16:02:24 UTC

In a year, I will be graduating and will be looking for a teaching position within an elementary school. It’s critical that I find mentors who will uplift me and encourage me within this field. As a first time teacher, I believe having a mentor who has been a longtime teacher would be beneficial. I would learn a great deal about building a curriculum. I would use them as an outlet when I needed help and I would continually learn from them. Having a mentor both inside and outside the workplace would allow me to connect emotionally and professionally while seeking out what’s best for my students.

Tip #2: Bring Out the Best in Yourself

epiegat — 2022-02-06 16:07:36 UTC

Teaching requires putting yourself out there and being the best version of yourself. Being an elementary school teacher requires a great deal of being on task and always being attentive of your students. One tip that’s beneficial is always being creative. Creativity is what keeps students engaged and wanting to learn. Creativity brings passion and a better experience into the classroom. Not only will students be attentive in their lessons, I will also enjoy my job. Enjoying my job and watching students learn will allow me to always be putting my best foot forward, even on difficult days.

Tip #3: Build Your Self-Esteem

epiegat — 2022-02-06 16:10:57 UTC

Self-esteem is a vital part in being a teacher and it's critical to have ways to build self respect. Having a sense of self worth and respect will allow for me to be prepared for the career of teaching. One of the biggest problems in teaching is that teachers don't feel supported. They are putting a great amount of time and energy into the knowledge of the next generation. A great amount of what they are doing isn't rewarded and the job can be degrading at moments. As a future educator, it's critical that I respect myself and my worth. Having a sense of worth will help me in the most difficult times and will also help me succeed in understanding why I pursued education. Valuing and knowing my self worth will be extremally beneficial when searching for teaching position and for being a teacher within the classroom.

Tip #4: Chart Your Life

epiegat — 2022-02-06 16:16:48 UTC

Setting goals and planning ahead are critical for achieving my future goals of becoming an elementary school teacher. I have a plan to enter a master program while also being a substitute teacher in elementary schools. This plan will allow me to see what schools I like and to get closer to finding a job position at a school I like. Receiving a masters will also allow me to be more trained in the realm of elementary education and will increase my chances of receiving a teaching position. These long term goals and planning allow me to be one step closer at achieving success.

Tip #5: Create your own Opportunities

epiegat — 2022-02-06 23:07:03 UTC

The greatest opportunity that I can do to better achieve my dream job is build connections. Connections help me to "meet and get to know the people who can help me achieve my goals," (D'Souza, 2011, p. 215). Building connections within my community allows for me to put my name out there and create relationships with others in the teaching profession. Having interpersonal connections with fellow students, teachers, and staff will create a greater platform that allows me to work in an elementary school. I will have also built a support system and attained multiple resources who could point me in the right direction for teaching positions. Connections would also allow for me to grow and develop before entering into the profession. I could ask questions and be an attentive learner. I could learn what it's like to be a teacher and what the job entails. One way I can be attentive in building connection is by volunteering in my local school community. I can volunteer within the classroom or in extra curricular activities. Furthermore, I can work in an afterschool program and be a tutor. These are just some of the ways that personal connections could help me reach my goals. In the end, having these opportunities to learn, support, and listen to these connections will help me achieve my goals to become a future elementary school teacher.

Tip #6: Invest in Planning

epiegat — 2022-02-06 23:38:43 UTC

Getting “from where you are to where you want to be involves a plan,” (D'Souza, p. 216). Planning for my future career as an educator is critical and a good skill to develop. As of right now, I’m receiving my bachelors degree in Educational Studies. The next step I could be taking is researching the next steps to getting closer to my career job. In the state of New York, I need to have a teaching license. Receiving my teacher’s license will be my next step and after completing this I can further my education in elementary education. These are considered to be more long term planning. Steps that I could do now is finding opportunities to work with the development of children. Having previous experience with children will build a better resume and give me personal experience with the growth and development of children. Overall, investing in planning is one step to achieving where I should be looking next to be successful in my future career.

Tip #7: Make a Change

epiegat — 2022-02-07 00:11:40 UTC

I want to become an elementary school teacher but I may realize that this job career isn't for me after doing the job for a few years. It's good to have an open mind for exploring new passions and having "practical steps to enact change,"(D'Souza, 2011, p. 217). This might involve exploring new career pathways within the realm of education or just within childhood development. This change may also mean getting involved in extra curricular activities outside of teaching. This could mean continuing my passion of music and becoming a private piano teacher. This could mean continuing my passion of coaching kids in track and field. As I continue my education, I must keep an open mind and be willing to work towards what I desire.

Tip #8: Motivate yourself using loss aversion

epiegat — 2022-02-07 00:35:47 UTC

The question "do you want to be the maker of your destiny" (D'Souza, 2011, pg. 219) is something that I believe we all strive to do. For me, being in control of my future requires assessing every opportunity or choice available to me. A future career in teaching, requires a great amount of assessing the positives and negatives of the job. Teaching is a profession that requires a great amount of dedication, personal time, and energy. From my SWOT analysis I learned that teacher's don't make the best amount of money financially. It's important that I understand both the cons and the pros of the career of teaching. It's also critical that I don't limit my options, even if it means leaving the profession. In the end, personal health and care is what's most important. Never should one compromise their own happiness and well-being for the sake of maintaining a job. Sometimes losing something allows for a person to gain an even better opportunity. In the end, never be afraid to lose something. There may just be something better around the corner!

Tip #9: Turn Work into Play

epiegat — 2022-02-07 00:47:39 UTC

Although teaching is a profession that has it's cons, the best part of my desire of becoming a teacher is the anticipation to make my students have fun. I desire that they enjoy the process of learning within my classroom while they enjoy their own journey of knowledge. What matter to me the most is the well-being of my future students. I hope to poor into these kids and to also have fun along the way. In the end smiles and laughter are the best medicine. I've learned this through volunteering in an afterschool program for children who live in hard situations. Learning is done best through having fun and connecting the material to real world applications.

References:

epiegat — 2022-02-07 01:04:15 UTC

1. D'Souza, G. (2011). Eq from the Inside out: Breakthrough tools & ideas for living a fulfilling life. Six Seconds.