User:Egarr008

My name is Erin Meeks. I have an associates degree in science with a concentration in social science from Tidewater Community College. I am a full time student at Old Dominion studying political science and the requirements to teach government, history and other social sciences. My main responsibility however, is being a mother to my 18 month old little girl. My husband is a Navy vet studying engineering and works for Northrup Grumman, so right now we are a family of students. I work a few nights a week in an Italian restaurant for a family that I have worked with for years. I can't say that teaching is my first love or my passion. With a passion in politics, I struggle with what I view as a decline in the advancement of this country toward a better future. I struggle with what I notice about society and the ignorance of the masses. As a long term substitute teacher in Norfolk Public Schools, I have found myself feeling uneasy about the future generation and where they will lead us...whether or not they will be capable to do so.

I never even considered being a teacher for my love of politics is shared with my love of writing. I love to write, edit, etc. When I graduate(and my daughter is a little more independant), I will begin a career of freelance writing for newspapers and/or political journals. There are many options available in my field. However recently I have felt a calling to reach others. And by others I mean the young people that will inherit this country shortly after I do. Young people truly are the future of this nation and I don't feel they recognize the magnitude of that responsibility.even

When I graduate, I'd like to teach upper level government here in Norfolk, Virginia. And I would like to teach in a low income neighborhood. I requested my observation school to be B.T. Washington H.S because I want to get a first hand look at how teachers teach there. I have heard the horror stories and have subbed in neighboring middle schools but to be there in person is something different. I want to teach in low income neighborhoods because I believe that those students are the ones who will benefit from an interactive study of government more so than students in higher income neighborhoods. Political decisions and government involvement, or lack of involvement, affect their lives every day. And once they realize that, I think they will be more inclined to participate.

I don't have a unique philosophy on education. I believe that all students can be reached. I believe they all want to be reached and they all want to do well. And I believe it is the responsibility of the educator to do whatever it takes to reach their students. Students want responsibility, they want to be held accountable. And they want recognition for a job well done. I believe a good teacher is one who fullfills these needs and inspires them to achieve greatness. I want to be a teacher whose students work for their respect. A teacher who connects personally with students because they know that we all face adversity together. I want to be the teacher who challenges them to do the right thing even when it's not the easiest choice.