From as far back as I can remember I have always wanted to be a teacher. I would sit around with my stuffed animals and play school. If I was lucky enough, I could convince my brother and a few neighbourhood kids to be my students. How many of you have done the same? I would find anything that represented a type of school supply in the house (papers, books, pencils, staplers, stickers, etc.) and hand them all out to my barbies, troll dolls, teddy bears, and action figures. The conversations were of course one sided, yet I responded to them as they were speaking back to me. We practiced our reading, writing, and math skills and often I performed Science experiments in the kitchen. I took the characters in my pseudo classroom outdoors for gym class and set up imaginary sports days with ribbons and a celebration assembly. It was an obsession of mine and as I reflect, and I now see it as purposeful play. That I knew from a very early age that teaching was in my bones and that this passion of mine would soon become my purpose.
This happens to be some of my earliest and most cherished childhood memories. There was no question in my mind that I wanted to be a teacher. My parents luckily saved everything from my schooling, and one of my most prized items is an interview I had with my Kindergarten teacher on my first day of school. My words were simple yet spoke to what my dreams were from the early age of 5. “I want to be a teacher when I grow up.” It also referred to me becoming a Mom and travelling to Hawaii, which are also key elements of my life. I don’t think this was by accident. I was put on this earth to be a teacher. That I still know to be true.
I never deviated from wanting this profession and had my sights set on making a difference in the lives of students. What I didn’t know was that teaching was so much harder, yet even more rewarding than I had ever imagined. It has become a part of me; it is a part of me. My little girl dreams became a reality. My chosen path led me to fulfill my purpose and passion. I have been gifted the ability to stand in front of children each day and help guide their educational journey. Are you living your purpose and passion? I found mine as a child through what I now refer to as purposeful play.