When I was little, I wanted to be a scientist. I wanted to discover different cures and I wanted to help people.
When I was 16, I got my very first job was at the Rec Center teaching classes. What started off as a summer job led to me realizing how much I loved helping the kids.
When I was 18, I went off to KU to be either a pharmacist or an engineer. I still wanted to help people, but I wasn't exactly sure how I wanted to do that.
When I was 19, I took an accounting class at Barton and it just clicked. This was what I wanted to do, or so I thought.
When I was 21, I realized being an accountant didn't fulfill that desire in me to help people how I felt I'd been called to do. I realized my true calling was to be a teacher. And since I already knew so much about accounting and business, I found Business Education.
When I was 23, I accepted my first teaching position at Highland Park High School and graduated from Emporia State with a degree I knew was right for me.
It may have been quite the road leading up to me realizing what I wanted to do, but I am sure as heck glad I found Education. As some of you probably know, this week is National Teacher Appreciation Week and today specifically is National Teacher Appreciate Day.
I have enjoyed teaching so much this first year and I absolutely love being able to help out these students. I now see it from the other side of things. Thinking about this made me think about all of those teachers who were there for me throughout my educational career.
Looking back at my educational career, I can immediately think of teachers and professors that made school what it was. Those teachers that made class interesting, and you didn't want to ever miss their class. Those teachers who you did everything you possibly could do to not disappoint. Those are the teachers that inspired me to become a teacher. That made me want to be like them. And change some young students' lives, like they changed mine.
I have had a lot of these teachers in my life, but I want to give a personal Thank You to a few specific teachers.
To Mrs. Boeger. You were the one who introduced me to accounting. Made me love it, and made such an early class a whole lot less miserable. You inspired me to become a teacher. And take an interest in my kids the way you took an interest in each and every one of your students. I can say without a doubt that I wouldn't be where I am at today if it wasn't for you.
To Dr. Railsback and Kim Dhority. Without you two, my college career wouldn't have been the same. I fell in love with Business Education because of you two. And made it through the program and student teaching because of your help.
To my college professors: Dr. Rich, Dr. DeVito, Mr. Barnes, Dr. Durler, Dr. Sterrett, Dr. Miller, Dr. Riedy, Mr. Vickers, Dr. Neill, and so many more. The biggest thank you I could ever give you. You pushed me to become a better person, student, and teacher. There might have been times I wanted to just give up, but you all helped me when I needed it the most.
To my high school teachers: Mrs. Clark, Mrs. Steinert, Coach Tat, Coach Black, Mrs. Heeke, Mrs. Pruter, Mr. and Mrs. Eyestone, Mrs. Hiss, Mrs. Seeman, and so many more. Thank you for never giving up on me, even when other teachers did. I am inspired to be the teacher that never gives up on her students.
To my elementary school teachers: Mrs. Reed, Mrs. Maneth, Mrs. Higgins, Mrs. Essmiller. And middle school teachers: Mr. Wetig, Mr. Pinkall, Mr. Burt, Mrs. Hartig. You all were there in those awkward years of growing up. You made classes fun, enjoyable, and most of all memorable.
I know there are so many other teachers that have inspired me in one way or another. Even if it was just one tiny moment. All of those things added up and have amounted to the teacher I have become today.
I am also inspired by all of my teaching friends. Going to ESU was absolutely the best decision I could have ever made and I was blessed to end up at such a great Teaching College. I have so many education friends that I can turn to and who can relate. I enjoy reading about your stories from the classroom and can't wait to see where we all end up!
I want to give one final thank you and appreciation to all of the teachers in my family. I have many aunts, uncles, and cousins who all have a job within education. It's in our blood and I am so proud to say I am related to each and every one of you.
So THANK YOU to all of the educators in my life. I appreciate you all so much and I wouldn't be here today without each and every one of you.
Until next time,
The Chronicles of Kirsten Continues
