Theme III: Ethics and Professionalism

Section 3.2: Career Paths

​For my career path, I chose to create a game board. The game board describes the

steps I am planning to take in order to go from being a high school student, to an

elementary school teacher. I have researched what goals I should complete in high

school that will help me get to the next step, college. The first goal is completing teacher

academy and American Sign Language classes. I believe these courses will help me

stand out to colleges and help me get accepted. The next goal I wish to complete is

taking the ACT and getting a score minimum of 22. This goal leads me to applying for

colleges. I plan to apply to Marion Technical College and Mount Vernon Nazarene

University. I would like to apply to Marion Technical College because I have also been

interested in becoming an OTA. However, that is my second option if the education

route does not work out. My last goal is to student teach and educate myself about what

a teacher does. I have also studied what a teacher does during the field trip to the

OLSD Administration Office and during the questioning in the Library (3.2.1,​Panel

Notes​). I learned that in order to motivate students, you have to develop a relationship

with them. I learned that not all students are the same and you cannot treat them

equally. Last but not least, I heard, humorously, that the middle schoolers smell.

My next step is College. I plan to go to Mount Vernon and major in education. I plan to

get my Bachelor’s degree in education and my teaching certificate. I learned from the

Four-Tier Licensure Structure that I can earn a professional education license. If

someone wanted to earn their Lead Professional Educator license, they would need

additional schooling, their Master’s degree, and at least nine years of experience with

additional requirements. (3.2.2,​Four-Tier Licensure Structure​). I plan to get this license

after five years of teaching, and I will get it renewed in every five years to come. After at

least ten years of teaching, I plan to go back and get my Master’s. I learned at the field

trip that if I get my Master’s degree plus complete an additional 45 hours of practice

then I will move up the pay scale. (3.2.1, Panel Notes).

My final goal is to teach children K-5. I want to work with young children because I have

learned from the teacher seminar I rather work with them than high school or middle

schoolers. (3.2.3,​Teacher Panel​) I rather work with younger children than older because

I feel like I can have a bigger impact on their lives and teach them the fundamentals that

they will continue to use for the rest of their lives. I want to work in nearby schools such

at Delaware, Olentangy, or Westerville. I learned from the superintendent that this area

pays well and are always in need of new teachers (3.2.1, Panel Notes). I would also

love to work with special needs children in my classroom. I believe that I have the

strengths to assess their needs and be patient with them. I believe that I have the

abilities to help every student no matter how far ahead or behind they are (3.2.4,

Self-Assessments​). The biggest and most important goal in my career plan is to

become a great teacher. I am patient, social and a hard worker (3.2.4, Self-

Assessments). I believe these qualities are needed in order to become the teacher I

want to be. I want to make a difference in children’s lives.