Going into my field experience, I had no idea how much of an impact it would have on me. When I signed up for Teacher Cadet, I knew that this would be something that was required; however, I never saw how important it would be to me in the end. I didn’t exactly know that I wanted to go into the teaching profession when I signed up for this course. I knew that teaching was a profession that ran in my family, and that it was ultimately something that was in my blood. However, I also had developed this love for journalism and sports – something I felt almost confident would be what I decided to do. Keep in mind, all of this was before I entered those doors of Corinth Elementary and was greeted by twenty-four smiling faces.

My very first day at Corinth, I was beyond nervous. I was terrified that my teacher was going to hate me. I was horrified that my students were going to look at me and see me as an outsider. Boy, was I wrong. I was greeted by twenty-four sweet and curious faces that ran up to me and hugged me the minute they saw me. I was greeted by a teacher that could sense how nervous I was and instantly tried to make me comfortable and at home in her classroom. My very first week, I had to miss a day due to my anxiety and being in the hospital. I hated having to miss that day because I was so worried my students were going to see this as me running away already. This was the furthest thing from what actually happened. My teacher texted me multiple times to check on me. She told me how worried she and my students were about me, and how they were all praying for me and hoping I was okay. All this love and it was only my first week with them. I had only spent three hours in that classroom and was already a changed person.

My second week in the classroom was a bit different. They began to open up to me a little more and I began to learn them. I had learned their names. I had learned what students left the classroom, and for what reason. I had learned their daily routine. These are all things that I take for granted as a student now, but I could see how much it meant to them as kids. They grew to trust me. They grew to confide in me. It made my heart warm.

By the third week of my field experience, I had grown to know more about my students than I could’ve ever imagined. I learned which ones had a rough home life. I grew to learn which ones didn’t have very much food at home and were members of “Backpack Buddies.” One student, I learned, didn’t have very much at all in terms of a home. It broke my heart to learn that these children are already going through so much more than I ever have at such a young age. It hurt me to know that some of these children have no idea what they are going to go home to. They have no idea if they are even going to have anybody to go home to. These bright, talented, loving, beautiful children have experienced so much hurt at such a young age, I only spent six weeks with them and already wished I could take them home with me and keep them as my own.

Getting to know these children was only the beginning for me. It wasn’t until I had taught both my lessons that I realized that regardless of what I choose to do with my life: I have to stay involved with children. Getting to see their faces when they grasp a concept they never thought possible was absolutely awe-inspiring. Getting to see them realize how capable they are of learning, even when they are told they cannot, was life changing. However, what meant the most about all of this was knowing that they were feeling all of this because of me. They learned that concept from me. I taught them how to do something they never thought possible. I’ve always known that teaching was a worthwhile profession. However, I never knew it was the most worthwhile profession in the world until I had complete control in that classroom. It wasn’t until I could see their faces, and see how much it meant to them that they could tell I cared whether or not they learned. In the end, I promise it meant more to me than it did to them.

Looking back at my field experience now, I feel like the luckiest person in the world. To know that I have made such a great impact on twenty-four little lives in such a short amount of time shows me how much of an impact I could have in the years I would have as a teacher. Those twenty-four faces inspired me. They showed me how strong they were, and in turn, made me that much stronger. When they hurt, I hurt. When they were happy, I was happy. I may have only been with them for six weeks, but the impact they made on me will last a lifetime. I still may have no idea what profession I will permanently go into. I don’t know if I will teach. I’m more lost now than I was before, just because I thought I had it all figured out. I never knew that I would grow to love teaching as much as I did. However, I do know that those faces made me the best version of myself that I have ever been, and I couldn’t imagine having to go on in life without their impact. If I do decide to go into teaching, these twenty-four faces are the exact reason why, and I couldn’t be any more grateful.