Armed with a degree in early childhood education, I’m now working on a second degree in child development, which I plan to combine with a master’s degree in leadership in education. I hope the degrees will form a pathway toward a job in which I’ll be able to help students make a successful transition from one grade to the next.
While I’m not aware of the formal title for my future dream job, I think designing a curriculum and observing students within the classroom will one day allow me to land the education position I envision.
When I joined the NEA Aspiring Educators program, I joined because I wanted to experience more than traditional college courses on my way to becoming an educator. I knew I would need to truly understand what it means to teach in today’s classrooms—and I believed joining the Aspiring Ed program would put me on the road toward that understanding.
For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to become a teacher.
I remember being asked by a colleague, ‘What comes to mind when you think about a career in education?’
I pictured someone that is loving, caring, and meeting the needs of their students away from the desk. Being in the Aspiring Ed Program has helped me better understand how to meet students’ needs and address their concerns.
I’m also exploring new tools such as the NEA Leadership Competency Framework to enhance my learning through my journey. NEA’s six areas of leadership competencies strengthen my leadership skills as an Aspiring Educators leader in Arkansas. I encourage other students to join the NEA Aspiring Educators program, which is the leading voice for the next generation of educators.
The NEA/AEA has helped me understand that becoming a teacher and leader is a journey that one doesn’t have to walk alone. The organizations have fully supported me during each step I’ve taken in my education career.
