When I first set out to create this project and share this story, my mother was the main focus as she typically is for inspiring me to become an educator. In the end, it really comes off as a story about my father's influence. Further reflecting on my childhood, I realize my dad was the person that taught me the importance of self-reflection. This skill allowed me to gain insight from childhood experiences and observations. Since my dad traveled a great deal, I had a lot of experiences and observations take place in my mother’s classroom. This was balanced out with time spent riding to McDonalds to buy French fries for ducks and of course, reflecting on experiences and the lessons that can be gained.

My mom provided reactive and impulsive parenting while my dad balanced us with introspection. This is the best way I can relate to my current mindset with education. The best lesson plans I’ve had were the perfect balance of impulsive reaction and introspection.

Even in her classroom, my mom was always able to set students loose to rampant, active learning with technology or without. When the time came for them to regroup and compose themselves to their desks, she had command of this type of classroom management, too.

I purposely do not want to teach in the same school district as my mother for this reason. She casts a large shadow to work under and I want to create a name for myself. I could easily get a job with the many connections she’s developed from teaching elementary school, summer school, Saturday school and night school. I don’t want to develop my rock star status this way because it seems too easy. I’m confident I can work my way up in whichever school gives me my next opportunity because I’ve grown up with the greatest teaching models.

The accompanying video was done for my college class. The project was to creatively show how we balance life with teaching. I followed up the video with a PowerPoint presentation in the Pecha-Kucha style, but didn't include it here because it contained pictures of me in the classroom.

Click Here for the Video: How I Didn't Become a Ninja