Chestatee Academy

While being a student at Chestatee Academy, I never realized how much work is done by the teachers there. After participating in the Honors Mentorship Program, I realized how hard it is to be a teacher and that my mentor is the hardest working teacher at the school. Not only does she teach and grade six classes, but she also is partly in charge of the school's National Honor Society. My mentor helps organize everything the Honor Society does and also keeps track of what every member owes for their trip to Washington D.C. I have input a lot of the dues for the trip into a computer for her, and it is a long and hard job. As if that is not enough, she also is in charge of a "PUSH" class. The class meets two times a week or about half an hour and consists of seventh grade students who are continually failing classes. Mrs. Brooksher helps these students with any of their work, and she also encourages them to become better students. She has had to have a lot of patience with that class, but she has turned it into a success. Mentoring Mrs. Brooksher has taught me that being a teacher has a lot more to do than just teaching to a class.
Teachers, such as Mrs. Brooksher, are what make Chestatee Academy a great community member. The school improves the "Chestatee community" by challenging exceeding students and by not giving up on struggling students. The school also tries to improve the community of Hall County through service activities. These activities include volunteering at the Humane Society, fundraising for Relay for Life, and becoming "Secret Santa's" to children in the community. Just yesterday, the Honor Society carolled at a nursing home to lighten up the spirits of the people there. Chestatee Academy is much more than just a middle school, but is a great community member as well.

My Essential Question

Examine how beginning teachers develop into great teachers, and explain why many beginning teachers can struggle when controlling a classroom for the first time.

Why did you select this as your essential question?

• This essential question is directly connected with my future and the purpose of my mentorship. My mentorship is meant for me to learn the basics of being a teacher for the first time and to see what can go wrong. My hopes for my future is that I will become a mathematics teacher. When I become one, I do not want a to be a mediocre teacher that bores students and make them dread my class. I want to become the best teacher I possibly can. By researching this essential question, I can learn what skills I need to work on and develop when becoming a teacher before ever entering college.

What excites you most about finding the answer to this essential question?

• Finding the answer to this essential question will benefit my future. I hope to be considered a very great teacher at a very young age, and this essential question will help me reach my goal. The answer will teach me about common struggles of new teachers, and knowing these struggles will help me avoid common mistakes. I will also learn tricks and tips that make some teachers very good at their jobs. I am excited that this essential question will develop me into a better teacher.

Do you feel that this question accurately reflects a desire/need that you have to find out more about this topic?

• This question shows my desire to become the best teacher I can possibly be. It shows my want to become a great teacher, and it shows that I want to limit my beginning struggles when I become a teacher. I want to work on and develop my teaching skills as soon as possible so that I can be prepared during my first few years of teaching. Learning what to work on and what to avoid will hopefully make me stand out as a student in college and as a potential employee.