Dear Mr.

Ward
My name is Dakoda Boser; I am a fifth year university student majoring in history and I
will be attending your classroom for the duration of the PS1 program this semester. I would like
to share a bit of my history so that you are able to get a better sense of what inspired me to
choose teaching as a career. I grew up in a small town in northern Alberta, about an hour and a
half north of Grande Prairie. In a town with a population of around 3,500 residents, there were
not many employment opportunities beyond employment in the trades or oil field industry.
While I knew these two options were not my ideal choice, I chose to work with the Peace River
School Division as an apprentice carpenter after graduation. It is from this point, while working
within the schools and coming into contact with the teachers and their students, that I discovered
what I really wanted to do with my life. I knew from that moment in time that a career spent in
the profession of teaching would be a satisfying and rewarding one.
Looking back on my school experience I now see all that my teachers had done for me. It
is through these past memories of a positive school experience, especially in high school that
also influenced my decision to pursue post-secondary education. My favorite classes were ones
that pertained to the subject of social studies. I had excellent teachers who brought enthusiasm to
the subjects they taught, particularly when it came to twentieth century history. The reason why
this particular subject interests me is because during this time period there was monumental
change happening on a global scale that would affect the world forever, especially in relation to
the first and second world wars.
As I briefly mentioned, I have an educational background in both history and in the
trades. I have studied multiple different areas of history ranging from the formation of both
Canada and the United States of America to European political history, the Medieval Crusades

and even some Japanese history. These areas of study have allowed me to gain an understanding
that issues in the world are not black and white but shades of grey, and that there are connections
between events that one might not expect. In terms of my trades training I obtained my second
year apprenticeship standing with Grande Prairie Regional College. I learned multiple skills
which included drafting, the use of explosive actuated tools and how to use a transit. Once I had
left the Peace River School Division I acquired a position at the City of Lethbridge. Here, I was
able to gain more experience in the trades while working with heavy duty machinery, driving
street sweepers, and conducting temporary traffic controls.
Some of my characteristics that will be helpful to my teaching career are as follows. First
is my ability to speak to the class in a direct and clear manner. I am not afraid of public speaking
as I was the M.C. at my graduation ceremonies and I have completed a speech and
communication course at the university. Second, I enjoy working with children at any age and I
feel that I can learn from them as well as they are able to learn from me. Third, I am always open
to new ideas, and I am eager to gain new knowledge. If hard work and dedication is needed to
gain that knowledge, I have no problem with putting in the effort and time. Lastly, I believe I can
become a healthy role model to the students, especially when it comes to exercise. I am very
active, eat healthy and have seen how this can impact others around you. Some of the
achievements that I have acquired in previous years are that I am a certified lifeguard and have
coached senior high mens basketball. I believe that I have usable life skills that could be
instrumental in the classroom and are perfect for a leadership role.
I would just like to thank you for your time and, for reading the information provided
above. I look forward to teaching alongside you in the classroom. Also, I hope to gain great

insight into the teaching profession from you, and hope that I can be a valuable resource in your
classroom.
Sincerely,

Dakoda Boser