I am interested in history because it is the story of humanity’s failures and successes, of our human nature. It helps me to understand my life with a broader perspective than this current world can afford me. This truth is why I am pursuing a career as an educator in history. By studying the past, we can constantly build our lives on its foundation. History has been a centerpiece of my life for as long as I can remember. As a child, I adored my history books and often read short novels on the World Wars or the American Civil War. I quickly graduated to more advanced biographies. History courses have always been my academic cornerstone. In my three courses on American History, I read primary and secondary sources, discussed political and cultural movements, and studied the processes and effects of decisions. This curriculum allowed for interesting debates about early American movements, helping me to view history through my classmates’ perspectives. In my three Classical Studies courses, I read thirteen Greek plays, along with speeches from Greek and Roman orators. Beyond classes, I read and collect historical books, specifically modern military biographies; each chance to learn history has been significant in my life, changing how I view politics, culture, and life as a whole. Three of my history courses were taught by Mr. Wolfe, whose candid instruction is the reason I first fell in love with history. Mr. Wolfe always encouraged us to view history through multiple lenses and to consider all contributing factors before we developed full opinions. He helped me to become a critical thinker, approaching life by considering the past. I want to encourage others to approach life this way, which is why I intend to teach history. History is a firm foundation and a key to critical thinking. I mean to foster an analytical space for students to delve into their studies and explore their world in new ways. The skills students will develop will aid them throughout life as they form their character and their society. This study of humanity’s story, of the highs and the lows, is what roots us as a global society. We use it to form opinions and calculate decisions. As a teacher, I will pass this knowledge on, preserving history for another generation. History changes the way we see the world, and I want to be part of that change.

Lots of dreams focus on making an impact on the world, but my dream is to make an impact in just one person’s world. Teaching is one unique opportunity to change a life for good. If asked, most students would agree that some teachers truly changed their lives. Teachers introduce students to the world, develop character, and provide safe places. Mr. Wolfe was one of those teachers for me, and he inspired me to pursue a career in education. The power of teachers is often underestimated; in truth, a teacher changes the world every day. A teacher has the potential to encourage, support, and build up their students. The formation of character, beyond everything, is the most important task assigned to educators. Not every student excels in academics, but every student has talents, gifts, and aspirations. It is a teacher’s duty to provide a safe place for these students to develop and also to gently guide them as they evolve into adults of good character. These opportunities renew each day; each day a teacher can change someone’s world. In high school, one specific teacher inspired me to pursue a career in education. Mr. Wolfe taught many courses at my online school, and I often studied under him. When I first met Mr. Wolfe, I had been struggling with previous bad experiences with teachers. I was jaded and skeptical when it came to another new teacher, but Mr. Wolfe quickly changed that. He taught with precision, unfathomable knowledge, and the aim that every student would ace his class. It meant a great deal to me that he would not let me fail. He provided every resource, study technique, and bit of advice that could help us. When I on occasion fell short in some way, he would guide me to improvement. One of Mr. Wolfe’s defining attributes was his memory. Recently, I reached out to him after two years away from his classroom; he recognized me easily, even after so long. Teaching upwards of sixteen online courses per year, somehow he remembered me. Another quality of Mr. Wolfe’s instruction was that no matter the student or the grade, Mr. Wolfe would always give students another chance to become something better. I love watching people’s expressions, and I was doing just that the first time I considered becoming a teacher. Each Spring, the students of Mr. Wolfe’s classes create individual presentations, which were the highlight of his year. As we presented, I observed Mr. Wolfe’s countenance light up watching his students. Mr. Wolfe rarely smiled; that day he would smile or laugh at the way his students became so engaged in their presentations. Something about the joyful pride in my teacher’s face helped me to understand and respect the profession. Mr. Wolfe never hesitated to be there for me. Since leaving his class for the last time, I have occasionally reached out to him; he never fails to respond. He was there while I explored careers, colleges, and myself. I did not fully understand the impact he had on my life until that season was over, but it will stay with me forever. Teachers changed my life, and I have the opportunity to pay that forward. Approaching the start of my next adventure, I am eager to become an encouraging, safe, and knowledgeable teacher. As a teacher, I will have the chance to change lives, like Mr. Wolfe changed mine. We are encouraged to dream of changing the whole world, but Mr. Wolfe showed me that it is enough to make an impact, one student’s world at a time.