This summer I have been taking a storytelling in education class. One of the assignments was to create a life map. How hard can making a picture map of one's story be? For me at least, its not as simple as it sounds. I went right to work looking through old photo albums, sorting through loose pictures, and papers. 46 years of memories and pictures takes time to sort through. I began to feel that this was an impossible assignment. How could I possibly make a map of my life stories?

I knew that I should start with my birth, after all, that IS when my story began. I then listed out events, things that happened to or around me that I felt contributed to making me who I am today. Wow, that was a huge list. Well... maybe not a huge list, but a fairly long one. I eliminated events that were not significant, and or did not really have a story. I left one or two seemingly story-less events stay on my list, such as my advancements through public school. I left off my list the deaths of my grandparents, nephew and stillborn children, because these event, while they are part of my story they are too depressing. Once I got my list of life events/stories, I was finally able to proceed.

My finished Life map

 I have enjoyed this project, I'm sure I made it harder than it real was. However, in creating it, I got to relive each moment. Some I only know through the stories of others, for instance at 22 months old, I had an intestinal issue that caused me to go into a comatose state for about a day and a half.  Other stories, bring a profound feeling of gratitude. For example, I am grateful for a neighbor who without complaint, or thought of the inconvenience it would cause her took six children ten and younger into her home, that was already filled to capacity with her own seven children under the age of ten all afternoon and past bedtimes, the day that my dad had a Grand Mal seizure. I am grateful for doctors and other medical staff that preserved my dad's life, so that he can be pat of my life now.

I can see me integrating life maps into my curriculum with my future students. This was and is a great way to find personal stories, and a great way to preserve those stories for others to enjoy.

Why I teach and my basic teaching philosophy

 For the past several years I have worked in my neighborhood elementary school as a para-educator. I love working with the students and learning all that I can from the teachers I have had the opportunity to work with. Four or five years ago I was given the assignment to tutor a student with moderate to sever autism. As I worked with this student and felt his joy at each new achievement, I knew that I needed to make good on a promise I made myself years ago. I promised myself that I would pay it forward and help a student find success to say thank you to Mr. Losser my forth grade teacher. Through his belief in me and dedication to help me succeed, I was able to overcome my learning difficulties to become grade level proficient in English Language Arts, science and social studies and above proficient in math. I decided at the tender age of nine that I needed to be a teacher, so that I could repay him for his love and dedication in helping me find success. I felt that if I could help just one student the way he helped me I would be a successful teacher. However, finances and life choices kept me from going to college after high school. I became content as a para-educator and had convinced myself that I could still help children find success, until I received the assignment to be  tutor and full time assistant to a beautiful young man with autism. The extreme joy I felt on his behalf each time he reached a learning goal, became a drug to me. I had to have it, and the only way I knew how to get it was to become a certified teacher with a class of my own.

With my family nearly grown, I started a new adventure. I went back to school. It has taken me longer than I hoped it would, however, as long as things stay on track I should graduate December 2016. The journey along my new adventure has allowed me to observe the teachers I work directly with and my own children's teachers through a new prospective. I feel that observing teachers through the lens of a student, a parent and a co-worker has helped me develop a type of wish list as to the type of teacher and classroom I want for my future students. For example, I want parents to feel welcome in my classroom anytime, and be involved in their student's education. Also I want my students to feel like they are they most important and that they can reach the stars if they had a mind to.

The main theme of my teaching philosophy is students first. My job as a teacher is to guide and direct my students through a journey of learning exploration. I want my students to believe in themselves. I want to create an environment where students feel safe to make mistakes. Next to doing ones best, respect of self and others will be the most important part of learning. It is my hope that my students feel valued for who they are not who they think they should be.  Everyone has something that they can contribute to the classroom community and I want my students to know that their contribution is valuable.