AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL

Autobiographical
Whitworth, Jennifer
Instructor: Dr. Egbert
EDUC. 201: Foundations of Education

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Autobiographical

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Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn. This
old Chinse proverb is at the basic core of why I want to be a teacher. I have not
always wanted to become a teacher but now that I have kids of my own I have
gained a great appreciation of how a good education can benefit them. I want them
to learn and understand. I want to give back to my community and help all children
to learn. I want to make the world a better place starting with Twin Falls, Idaho.
Educational Background
I started kindergarten at Gate City Elementary in Pocatello, Idaho. Before moved
on to first grade we moved to Phillipsburg, New Jersey and I was enrolled at Barber
Elementary. I spent first and part of the second grade in New Jersey. A little less than half
way through my second grade year we moved back to Pocatello, Idaho. We returned to
the exact same house and I went back to the exact same school. I have always been an
easy going kid and I dont remember either one of these moves being a very big deal to
me.

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But then, in sixth grade, my family moved to the other side of town. This move to
Jefferson Elementary was a big deal for me. I did not know anyone and was very scared
about making friends. I was put into Mr. Wagner sixth grade class, this was very
significant to me because he was my first male teacher and the only other male role
model I had had was my dad. Mr. Wagner went to great lengthens to make me feel like I
belonged in his class. He did this by asking me about myself, not in front of the class but
on his own time. In these conversation he made me feel like he wanted to get to know
me. It took me a while to make friends but having Mr. Wagner as a teacher helped me a
great deal with this big change. Feeling like I belonged, and that he wanted me in his
class, made a huge difference to me. My experiences in Mr. Wagner's class influenced me
as I moved on to Irving Jr. High School and then on to Pocatello High. I had many
teachers that I really liked and who made me want to try harder for them because of their
concern for me with their willingness to discuss assignments. Right or wrong, they
wanted to help me get the concept. I also had many teachers that I didnt really care for
and who seemed uninterested in me or my success.
My educational background is a part of who I am. Although, at the time, I did not
want to become a teacher, it still has had a great influence on me. I want all my students
to feel like they belong somewhere and they have someone who wants them around. I
have learned through my years of schooling that when a teacher really took an interest in
me, I tried harder and did better in that class. I want my students to have a chance to
succeed and feel this same way. I plan on letting each child in my class know that they
are important to me, the same way Mr. Wagner did for me.
Work History

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My first job was working at Wendys in Pocatello as a senior high school. Then
after high school I moved to Twin Falls and worked at the Wendys there. I worked as the
drive through cashier. I worked full time and had many responsibilities. I was employed
at Wendy's for two and a half years and was very good at my job. When I decided to
leave, they had to train three new people to take my place. I returned back to Pocatello
and worked as a receptionist at Park Price car dealership. I only worked there for eight
months because I got married and moved back to Twin Falls while my husband finished
up school. I got a job at Target as a cashier and moved up the ladder very quickly. I was
employed at Target for two and a half years and by the end I was in charge of a whole
department. My husband and I decided to start a family and I quit working at Target and
became a full time mom. I have been a full time mom for the last twelve years and have
three wonderful kids.
This variety of employment taught me responsibility and how to be a leader. I
learned how to inspire others do their work mostly by being an example and doing my
own work. It also taught me how to meet deadlines, work with others and be prepared. I
havent worked at a job for a while now and a lot of the day to day memories about
then are gone, but I what I learned from those experiences is still with me. I learned when
I work hard I can be successful and that I am a hard worker. But they were always just
jobs to me unlike the job of being a mother. Being a mom is the only thing I thought I
wanted to do with my life. Watching them grow and learn has brought meaning to my
life. I want to help other kids learn and grow too, help them successed and bring more
meaning to my life. The skills I have learned working and being a mother will help me to

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be ready for the challenges of being a teacher. I will be leader and responsible for my
class. I will have patients for the student, and I will work hard to see my class succeed.
Service and Extracurricular Activities
In high school I was involved in soccer and played on a competitive team. I also
participated in the band and orchestra. I played the flute. During those early years I was
involved in many service projects sponsored by the school or my church group. I have
volunteered at my childrens school as room mom and art mom. I have also been a
reading parent and an active member of the PTO. I am currently serving at my church as
primary chorister teaching children songs about Christ.
Working at my childrens school has probably had the most influence on me and
my decision to go back to school and become a teacher. I have loved watching the
students grow and become better at something. It is really amazing. As a reading parent,
I went in every week and listened to the same six students that were struggling read with
me. As the year went on they became better and more confident. One of those students
was my own daughter. I worked closely with her teacher and watched the low reading
students gain a skill that would help them for the rest of their lives. It was very rewarding
for me. While working with the children at my church I have found that I love it, I can
make each one feel special and I love seeing them learn with a smile.
Reasons for Choosing Education as a Career
I never thought while I was growing up that I would be a teacher. Now that I
have children of my own and have become a part of my friends childrens lives, I have
found I have a talent for it. The more I helped babysit, or participated in a mommy and
me group, I started, or help in my kids classes, the more I loved it. I decided I would

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love to become a teacher only about a year ago. My middle daughter, Evan, was in
second grade and was having a hard time reading. Her teacher guided me, and showed
me how to help her become a better reader. All I did was ask her teacher and she had a
plan ready on how to help Evan become a good reader. I would like to help another
mother who might be worried about her childs learning progress. I would also like to be
a help to those students who dont always have that support at home. My hopeful intrinsic
rewards would be to see the light in childs eyes, when they discovered they can learn or
when they get some new concept I taught them. I look forward to knowing I am making a
difference in a child's life. Even if they dont remember me 20 years down the road it will
be worth the effort. I know I helped shape who they are back when they needed the
direction that put them on a life long journey of learning.
Teaching is a family friendly career that will allow me summers and holidays with
my children. It is also important to add to my family's finances for our future. This
would be a good fit for me and my family.
Professional Goals
My short term goals have me finishing my associates at CSI next year. The
following year I will transferring to ISU but staying at the CSI campus. I am considering
substitute teaching for a year to get into the classroom more before I get my own class.
This would also give me more flexibility to go to my kids functions and be around when
they need me as we adjust to a new schedule. Being a substitute isnt a sure thing, but I
do think it will help me in my future classroom. Then I would love to find a job here in
Twin at an Elementary school and be a first or second grade teacher.
My long term goals are: to be a teacher for many years; help young children to
love to learn; and help the struggling students to read. Maybe someday one of my first or

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second graders will come back and say hi to me when they are in high school. I want to
retire and know that I helped improve society!!
Although I have only wanted to become a teacher for the past year, I really think I
found a career that will work for me and my family. I have found something I deeply care
about and I will be successful. I want to be a teacher that involves my students and helps
them be excited about learning.