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Running head: AUTOBIOGRAPHY

AUTOBIOGRAPHY
Carey Reitsma
Dr. Egbert
EDUC 201C01W
April 6,2016
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AUTOBIOGRAPHY
In my life I have had a lot of different and unique experiences. These have been great

times and some of them very challenging which stretch me, and make me want to learn more. I

have been reflecting on the things that Ive learned in my education, work history, extracurricular

activities, the choice of teaching, and making goals.

Educational back ground

Although I went to several different school when I was younger, one of my favorite

teachers in Kimberly was Mrs. Blessing, and she taught the second grade. That year a car hit me

when I was crossing the street. The doctors put me in a body cast, and I couldnt go to school for

a while. Every day after school Mrs. Blessing came to my house to help me with my lessons so I

could advance to third grade.

I learned that being a teacher doesnt just stop at 3:30 p.m. when the bell rings. It takes

someone special to go the extra mile which is about how far our home was away from the

school. My teacher really wanted to make a difference! According to Harry K. & Rosemary T.

Wong my teacher was showing me how to be a caring leader. Leaders enjoy tackling problems,

obstacles, and challenges (p.280).

As of today, my current education is at the College of Southern Idaho. I have an

Associates in Music, and Im working on getting my Associates in Secondary Education as well.

It has been a time of fun, but also of hard work. Ive been taught how to make goals and to stick

with them. My goal is to get a K-12 Music Education Degree. I plan on getting this degree by

finishing my Associates in Secondary Education and transferring to either Boise State or Idaho

State University. I plan on paying for it through scholarships and working. I believe that if I keep

working towards my goals I will become a teacher that can serve others in a lot of different ways.
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Work Back ground

Not only have I learned at school, but also at work. Ive been a care giver for my piano

lesson teacher who was 96 years old when I started. Every day I would cook their meals and

check on Mrs. Bertus and her husband, John. They had a son, Johnny, who had cystic fibrosis.

After June Bertus passed away I continued to care for John and his son Johnny. I learned a lot

about cystic fibrosis and Johnny had three different types. He had therapists that would come in

and work with him to keep his muscles in shape.

Ive also raised four boys as a mother and a care giver. This job takes a lot of patience,

time, and management skills. Ive learned that this can be one of the toughest jobs to raise

children to become responsible adults with lots of leadership qualities. All four of my sons are

Eagle Scouts. My youngest son just turned eighteen in January.

At Living Waters Learning Center, I worked as a preschool teacher part time, substituted

at Canyon Side School, and throughout Wendell School District. Currently Im a

paraprofessional at the Wendell Elementary School. I have been there since October, and its a

great job! I have a nice boss, and Paula Chapman, the tall beautiful principal, seems to be

confident in all that she does. Shes not intimidating at all. Several of the teachers I work with

were there when my sons were little.

Service and/ or extracurricular activities

Some extracurricular things that I enjoy are singing and playing piano. I enjoy singing in

the Praise and Worship band with some of the teachers in the Wendell school District. I also sing

in the Easter and Christmas Cantatas in our community. It teaches me to be part of a team.
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AUTOBIOGRAPHY
Another musical talent would be playing the piano every other fourth Sunday. The

pianist at our church would like a break because she has been playing piano for about forty years.

When I learned to play piano at College of Southern Idaho I would have never guessed Id be

playing at the church.

Reasons for choosing education as a career

Because I like music and children, a Music Education teacher sounded logical. I just need

to put the two things together. Music fulfils me, and gives me a sense of happiness. I like to share

it with others. Children are gifts that need to be taught and nurtured. In the elementary school I

could put the two together. Music Education has math concepts of rhythm to learn as well as the

written language to read. It also has very important history such as the Star Spangled Banner.

One of the music instructors my children have had, Lanna Lamm, has a heart for

children. She can be strict, but fun. Ive learned that teaching is not for cowards. Im learning a

lot while I take care of the children in her room. She teaches different games which I teach my

children in piano lessons at home.

Professional Goals

My goals for becoming a K-12 Music Education teacher are almost half way there. Im

13 credits away and my exit from my Associates in Secondary Education. Im working as a

paraprofessional to help pay for my schooling, and I am taking it one semester at a time. I hope

to transfer to Boise State University or Idaho State University when Im done with my associates

degree. I will have to think about housing or drive from Wendell to Boise or Pocatello every day.

Im not sure what Im going to do. This is still in the planning stage.
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AUTOBIOGRAPHY
When I get to Boise State University or Idaho State University I will need to apply to get

into the school. Im required to play two songs memorized for the judges when I get up there.

Im in the process of doing this now. I have a song by Johann Sebastian Bach called the Minuet

and another song by Frederik Chopin which is a Waltz Op. 69 No.2.

Never the less, it takes a lot of education and hard work to accomplish goals in life. The

education that I have now has taken me a life time to learn. Im hoping that the more I learn the

more that I can help people in our community. The goals that we make can help us to stick with

learning what we want to do. I share my music with the people at the retirement center and at the

school.

Furthermore, Ive learned that the good teachers are not afraid to go the distance. When

the school bell rings its not the end of their day. I hope to go the distance to care for children

share my musical talent. Ive also learned that sticking with my goals takes time and

commitment. It takes a lot of planning and organization. However, if in the long run the more we

know the more that we can teach others, and the better our community will be.
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References

Harry K. Wong & Rosemary T. Wong (2004) How to Be and Effective Teacher: The First Days

Of School. Mountain View, CA: Harry K. Wong Publishers, Inc.