I believe that being a teacher of secondary school students means much more than just teaching them defined subjects such as math or biology. Teachers have the ability to influence students' direction of learning in both educational pursuits and everyday life and social skills. So, not only does being a teacher mean you are an educator of young minds, but you also become a caregiver, a behaviour analyst, a role model and mentor, someone to confide in, and that does not even partially exhaust the list -- it could go on and on. The profession "teacher" encompasses a tremendous amount more than just teaching. As a teacher, you are helping shape the minds and hearts of our future generations. Essentially, you become a secondary "parent" to a wide variety of youth from different backgrounds, all of who deserve equal opportunities to learn. 

Adolescence is an important time in forming individual beliefs and values, so teachers can become increasingly influential in guiding their students toward the moral and ethical high roads of life. I believe it is in this way that teachers play a prominent role in helping to build a more humane society. When I think of teachers helping to do this, I think of three critical aspects. First, teachers must remember they are working with incredibly impressionable minds, so they have a responsibility to conduct themselves in a manner that is considerate of this. Second, teachers should treat their students as individuals and with respect. And third, teachers must create stable, safe and inclusive learning environments within their classrooms and schools. 

As for what I believe are the most important lessons students should learn in secondary school, I believe that -- although school subjects are important -- there are a multitude of valuable life lessons to be learned in the secondary school setting. For example, students need to learn to be accountable and to take responsibility for their actions, and this reflects the need for a teacher to be fair yet firm. Students need to learn to set and achieve goals as well, and they also need to learn to work with their peers to achieve group goals. This means that as a teacher it is your responsibility to put your students in situations where they are able to do so. 

As a future teacher, I would like to share my passion for learning with my students because I believe that there should be a possibility for fun in learning. I believe it is important to put in the extra effort so students know you care and hopefully want to give that effort back. I believe education should be an enjoyable experience, and although I know it likely will not be that for all, my goal is to establish a learning environment that is creative and fun, that allows for students to be successful yet still challenged, and one that encourages students to adopt a love of learning.

I recognize that my philosophy of education will likely change time and time again as I continue my education and delve into the world of teaching. However, I truly believe that all students deserve the right to feel safe to explore their learning and curiosities in the classroom, to find what interests them, and my goal is to give them the courage to do so.