It was always a dream to study this profession, but to think that I would like it so much. I never thought. Without a doubt, the most significant experiences for me were all those days of practice that we connected to the online class and the students welcomed us with good morning, a gigantic smile and wondering if we were okay. Without leaving behind the significant impact, it had on me to realize that students are learning and that they are interested in learning about our second language, which is English. They are one of the most significant experiences because I feel the satisfaction that we are doing our job well. Based on these experiences, the principles that will guide my future teaching profession are undoubtedly respect, empathy, wisdom and loving what I do. These are principles that we need to be a good teacher and make our students feel safe and free of expression.
According to my participant observation experiences, I think that the teaching-learning aspects that should be improved in Puerto Rico schools are considering that not all students have the necessary tools to obtain the education they deserve. Even though classes are currently online, even more so, there are several students who do not have the tools they need to obtain a good education and, therefore, this would be affecting their learning process. The Puerto Rico Department of Education should take these types of problems more into account and not take for granted that there are students with a desire to learn and study, but there are many situations that prevent them.
In my experience of observing I participated, I could notice that my cooperative teacher used different tools to make the class much more enjoyable and fun for the students. Since now classes must be online, sometimes students may find it boring to take classes and more so the English class. For this reason, my cooperative teacher added educational videos from YouTube, created small quizzes or practices on educational Internet pages, etc. Thus, the students were motivated much more to learn and be connected in the classes.
Finally, the main reason that has inspired me to undertake this profession is the future of my country. Children and young people are our next generations and that is why their education and learning must be to the letter since they will be the future of the country and they are the ones who will continue to fight for it. Adding that their good education is also important for the future and personal growth of each of them. And what would make me personally happier than to be a part of this educational and learning process that is so important to students? It is for this and many other reasons that I chose this great profession.