Cissna Park Elementary Principal

November 9, 2006 - Application Essay for Olivet's MAT Program

Large Pink Bag

I was the little girl who wanted to be a teacher. I lugged around a large pink bag filled with unused workbooks and activities that my teachers had disposed. This bag nearly knocked me over every time I tried to carry it to a friend's house because it outweighed my carrying capabilities. Nevertheless, I brought the bag to play because it housed my teaching material.

As I grew older, my dream profession changed to one of business. However, I began to have doubts about being in business during my junior year of college, but I did not act upon my desire to enter education because I thought it was too late in the game.

Since obtaining my Bachelors of Science in Business Administration, I have worked for 2 1/2 years without finding happiness in going to work everyday. I have always told myself that I would have a career that I loved so I would never have to work a day in my life. Teaching children will fill that void in my life.

Every day that I spend with children, I help them learn. I spend time with my little cousins and nephews and teach them not only facts, but also life lessons. I teach them how to tie their shoes, the rules to the game, and phrases in foreign languages. I also teach them the difference between right and wrong and that there are consequences to their actions. I have even spent time with special needs children in orphanages in Russia and taught them about my culture. We may have a language barrier as an impediment, but we overcome that barrier by working together to reach the goal of understanding.

Nothing is more rewarding than knowing I taught a child something, big or small, which impacted his life. I make a difference when I interact with children, and I desire to teach because it not only satisfies my dreams, but also prepares children to fill a large pink bag with dreams of their own.