Travis Pearson

Why I want to become a Teacher

I want to become a teacher because I love working with children, and I love the Ieeling I
get Irom helping people. Teaching will give me the chance to do both. I will have the chance to
help children and be a positive inIluence in their lives. I want to help them Ioster a love Ior
learning that will be a solid base Ior their Iutures. I have had many teachers in my liIe that have
helped me grow and have motivated me to continue my education. I would not be where I am
today iI it were not Ior them. I want to be that kind oI person Ior other children.
When I was younger, I oIten had the chance to be in the teacher`s role. I have a very
large, close Iamily; every time we met together, I was in charge oI watching my younger
cousins. We would go on hikes, build Iorts, go on bike rides, go Iishing, and anything else you
can think oI to do at a Iamily ranch. Numerous teaching moments would arise, whether it was
putting on a bike chain, tying a Iishing knot, or even just explaining situations. Helping them
understand and make connections themselves was what I liked most. Seeing something inside
them click, so that they understood was very gratiIying. We had a lot oI Iun growing and
learning together on these excursions. At the time, I wanted to be a teacher, but as I grew up I
Iound out about how much teachers earn and I thought I wanted to make more money than that.
When I turned 19 I leIt on a two year mission Ior my church to Mexico. I was again put
in the role oI teacher as we served and taught the people about our church. I loved every minute
oI it. Teaching and seeing people understand and make connections is very gratiIying. Once I Ielt
I had a good command oI Spanish, I Ielt great in the role oI a teacher. Throughout my two year
mission I again considered becoming a teacher, but again, thought I would be happier doing
something else.

Upon returning Irom Mexico I studied international business Ior a year, business
management Ior a year, and inIormation systems Ior another year. It took a long time beIore
realizing that all oI those things were rather unsatisIying to me. I didn`t Ieel as iI I could ever be
content doing any oI those things. AIter much contemplation, I realized that the best times in my
liIe, were when I was in a teaching position. Becoming a teacher will give me more meaning in
my liIe, and a chance to make a diIIerence in the lives oI my students. I am excited to become a
teacher because I know I will love what I do.