Getting to Know You: Hannah Goodwin
Hannah Goodwin – Elementary Education
Hometown: Highland, CA
Year: Senior
Why do you want to become a teacher?
One of my first jobs consisted of me working at an elementary school in an afterschool program that serviced students who needed more help in academics. In this program I was a teacher for the creative writer’s group where I worked with six kids grades 1-5th. There was one first grader that always came in every day and would drag his feet hating that he had to come work on writing. I worked with him for countless hours, days and weeks, just trying to motivate him to complete a creative story. On our last day of the creative writing group he came up to me with the biggest smile on his face and said Miss Hannah I love writing and I can’t wait to share my story. That was the moment I knew that I wanted to work with students and hopefully give them that passion when it comes to education.
What are you most passionate about when it comes to being a teacher?
I am the most passionate about the lightbulb moment. The moment when the child understands the material that may be quite difficult. I am passionate about education and I am excited to share my passion with students who can in turn take the passion to become successful students.
Who/what inspired you to become a teacher?
Besides the child from the writing group, my mother inspired me to be a teacher. She has been teaching for 36 years and I am amazed by everything she has done. She is my inspiration when it comes to being the best teacher that I can ever be.
What do you hope to achieve in this career?
In all honesty, I just hope to be someone that a child can rely on. I have always wanted to work with underprivileged youth because I want to give them the support and compassion that they may not have ever received in their time as a student thus far. I hope to be there for all of the children and create an environment where they feel safe and comfortable to talk to me years after they have moved on from my classroom.
Do you have any advice for incoming freshmen?
Just breathe. Within the world of a stressful college life where you feel overwhelmed by school, work, family and friends, just remember to breathe and everything will be okay.