Journey of a young educator: from struggles to success in teaching
How a young woman overcame challenges to get her dream job.
*Name has been changed to keep subject’s anonymity
At 25 years old, Natalie Arzo* is an elementary school teacher. Her journey to becoming a teacher was far from smooth. As a young child, she struggled academically due to a learning disability. She had difficulty processing information, remembering content, and managing her executive functioning skills. Before her learning disability diagnosis was confirmed, she was consistently frustrated, watching her peers complete their work with ease while she grappled with her racing thoughts and ideas. She frequently pondered, “What is wrong with me?” and “Why can’t I do this?” Eventually, Arzo settled into the false belief that she was stupid.
It wasn’t until she was diagnosed in grade three with a learning disability that she began to work with herself rather than against herself. The label helped her understand that nothing was “wrong” with her. She just learned differently. This realization was the first step Arzo took towards embracing her unique learning style and overcoming her academic challenges.
Inspiration to pursue teaching
Arzo’s struggles in school inspired her to pursue a career in teaching. The idea of being a mentor for students facing their own learning challenges moved her deeply. If it weren’t for her special education teacher, Ms. L, Arzo wouldn’t have developed the academic skills and emotional resilience needed to achieve her goals. Ms. L made a significant difference in Arzo’s life. Arzo aspires to do the same for others.
Key milestones in her teaching career
One of the key milestones in Arzo’s teaching career was her experience teaching summer school this past summer. She taught grade 12 English to a class of 40 students. Although she had experience teaching high school English through practicums and tutoring sessions, this was the first time she had her own high school classroom.
Previously, Arzo had taught in elementary schools and was accustomed to the innocence and wonder of younger students. She was nervous about teaching high school-aged students and experienced imposter syndrome. She questioned herself: “What if I fail? What if they don’t take me seriously as a younger teacher?”
However, her initial turbulence and self-doubt pleasantly turned into a life-changing experience. Over 18 days, Arzo discussed topics such as persuasive techniques, rhetorical analysis, literary devices, social criticism, satire and metacognitive reflection. She used her elementary-style teaching to inspire innovation, creativity and flexibility in their learning. Her students demonstrated out-of-the-box thinking. Some examples of their final products included podcasts, interviews with novel characters and artwork (such as collages and using physical objects like dolls).
This experience was a key milestone for Arzo for two reasons. First, it gave her the confidence she needed as a new teacher, proving that she was capable of teaching a large classroom of older students. Secondly, she learned how important flexibility and student voice are for student success. By allowing students to choose a method of study that worked best for them, she gave them autonomy and a sense of responsibility.
Effective teaching methods and philosophies
In her teaching practice, Arzo finds active learning and differentiated instruction to be extremely effective.
Active learning incorporates activities that encourage student engagement and participation. In her classroom, she implements this approach by facilitating group discussions, problem-solving activities and hands-on projects.
Differentiated instruction is another method Natalie uses. This approach tailored instruction to accommodate various learning styles. She provides varied types of content, adjusts difficulty levels when needed, and offers multiple ways for students to demonstrate their learning. This ensures that each student can learn and express their understanding in the way that suits them best.
Motivation and passion
As an educator, Arzo is motivated and driven by student success. She enjoys playing a role in helping students achieve their personal goals and overcome their academic challenges. It is extremely rewarding for her to know that she can have a positive impact on a student’s life and academic success.
Additionally, Arzo has a deep interest in and enthusiasm for English. She believes literary skills are transferable across all subjects and career paths. She enjoys helping students improve their literacy skills to further their learning development.
Arzo’s journey from struggling student to inspiring teacher is a testament to her resilience and dedication. Through her experiences, she has learned the importance of flexibility, student voice and differentiated instruction. Her passion for teaching and commitment to her students encourage her to make a positive impact on every student she teaches.