I come from a world of twenty-something kids, spending every second of my Saturday in a classroom. Having two immigrant Turkish parents, it had always been one of my dreams to contribute meaningfully to my tight-knit Turkish-American community by teaching the Turkish language and tutoring the younger generation.
My passion lies in interacting with people of all ages. Being a teacher has taught me to see things from a unique perspective and to be receptive to learning. The ability to effectively communicate with my students and approach the world from their point of view became essential. I learned how to engage and teach different kids with various personalities, adjusting my lesson plans, homework, and activities based on my students' input to ensure an enjoyable learning environment. Being open-minded to new ideas has given me the ability to connect with anyone and mold myself to various environments. Beyond instructing them, I aimed to help them improve as individuals, succeeding not for me or their parents, but for themselves.
In every person’s life, there is a need for a community, a group of people they can turn to. For my students, creating this sense of community and connection became far more important than any lesson I taught. My students have played a significant role in shaping my identity, molding and refining my characteristics. Each student I had the privilege of teaching contributed something to me, enriching my perspective. Having worked with kids from diverse backgrounds, I place great importance on how I engage with others, making sure individuals are acknowledged, listened to, and valued.
Looking back on my own educational journey, I recall many teachers who positively impacted me, and the possibility of being that person for someone else fuels my love for what I do for my community.