https://padlet.com/gwendolynacar/iyyxmo72u2s2e2ad It's okay to have an untraditional route to becoming a teacher. en-us 2022-04-07 14:47:54 UTC 2025-10-24 22:20:09 UTC hello@padlet.com gwendolynacar https://padlet.com/gwendolynacar/iyyxmo72u2s2e2ad/wish/2134877854 I worked in a preschool all throughout high school and absolutely loved it! However, I thought I wanted a career in business until I went to New York City on a marketing trip. That entire week I really didn't care about the meetings. I was missing the preschool and the silly students. I remember the preschool teacher would say to me, "this is some kid's happiest part of their day." I really took that to heart and always wanted to be the highlight of some student's day. This is when I realized I really loved working with kids and it sparked the idea of being a teacher for me. ]]> 2022-04-07 15:58:30 UTC https://padlet.com/gwendolynacar/iyyxmo72u2s2e2ad/wish/2134877854 gwendolynacar https://padlet.com/gwendolynacar/iyyxmo72u2s2e2ad/wish/2134890570 My freshman year was atypical, like most freshman and sophomores.  My dad really wanted me to go the business route for college so I did. In my freshman year, I was a business major, well more specifically a data analytics major. At the beginning of the second semester, I was not enjoying any of my classes, and I just was not excited to learn. I had a long talk with my academic advisor and she told me "I don't think your heart is in business." She was right. That day I switched my major to elementary education and I felt as if a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I was feeling excited to learn again and excited to be in my classes. So freshman year was the biggest turning point in my college career and I could not be happier!]]> 2022-04-07 16:05:51 UTC https://padlet.com/gwendolynacar/iyyxmo72u2s2e2ad/wish/2134890570 gwendolynacar https://padlet.com/gwendolynacar/iyyxmo72u2s2e2ad/wish/2134899992 After I graduate from the University of Arkansas, I plan on heading back home to St. Louis Missouri. St. Louis is my home and I would love to teach at any of the wonderful schools there. One of my favorite parts of going to school in St. Louis is every year we took a field trip down to the arch and had the opportunity to go up inside too. I just could not imagine teaching anywhere else. So hopefully after Fayetteville I get to go home and give back to my hometown!]]> 2022-04-07 16:11:23 UTC https://padlet.com/gwendolynacar/iyyxmo72u2s2e2ad/wish/2134899992