in addition to coaching, the university that I coach at is now practically begging me to be an adjunct professor.
now, coaching is very fulfilling to me. It is very time consuming; plus I also own and manage 12 different tanning salon companies in texas, primarily in the larger cities. i do not need the additional income.
however, the university has become very vigilant in their efforts to recruit me as a professor.
deep down...…….deep deep down...…..there is a part of me that feels this would allow me to become even closer to my athletes in terms of having more time to give inspirational speeches about lessons in life.
so here is my official resume that I have submitted, per their request, to join the biology department at this university.
Biology education runs deep within the passionate, genetic, talented bloodlines of my family and I.
I was born with a talent, passion and destiny to instruct others about the biological knowing of our natural world. What sets me apart from other biology educators is that it runs in my family, my unique passion for biology and the related sciences, and also my ability to analyze each students individual learning style; all while utilizing different teaching methods so all people can get quality education.
My early interests in biology go back as far as I can remember, beginning with an interest in microbial life and the different types of cells. My interests slowly grew into specialties, and a lifelong dream of being a biologist and biology educator was consequently formed. The first public display of my science hood began with elementary, middle school, and high school victories at the state, local, and national science fairs. While other students did stereotypical experiments with a volcano, I did elaborate presentations with the biochemical and environmental effects of burning different types of charcoal. Thinking outside the box, along with teaching outside the box, is often required to be the best science educator that I can possibly be.
I have been exposed to a wide range of generations and their different pedagogy (method of teaching). I believe the most important parts of being an educator are professionalism, fairness, flexibility, dedication, and most importantly………leaving your students with knowledge that will benefit them for the rest of their life. Being an accurate educator is very important to me. The last thing we want to do is give students inaccurate information. I am never afraid to tell a student that I do not know the answer to a question, and am willing work as hard as possible to answer all questions both inside and outside the classroom. Teaching is a profession that requires office hours outside of the classroom to ensure proper grading, scheduling, and tutoring needs are met. Teaching to me is a passion, not just a profession.
Professionalism- I prioritize professionalism at all times. This starts with me being a good role model both on and off the clock. Other aspects of professionalism include my appearance, my ability to communicate with other instructors, attending meetings and conventions, and above all….following laws and protocols within this specific district. Privacy concerns, complying with disability laws, and avoiding any type of classroom negativity are all my top concerns in the realm of professionalism. You cannot be taken seriously as an educator without daily professionalism.
Fairness- Fairness to me is defined by appropriate test material and grading techniques. Material on exams needs to be material that was, to a certain extent, discussed in class at some point. Material needs to be appropriate for each age group and relating to the topic of the course I am instructing. Grading techniques often involve either scantron or essay. I am always willing to take certain circumstances into consideration when grading, pending the student actually discusses their situation with me. I try to avoid test material that is opinional, political, or outside the realms of direct right or wrongs in the modern day consensus of Science, as this would be unfair and unprofessional.
Flexibility- Flexibility to me is the availability for communication both inside and outside the classroom. Teachers must be flexible in terms of working hours, and the hours that they are available for student, parent, and administrative consultation. Changes in schedule, unforeseen events, fire drills, and other disturbances cannot be allowed to alter the overall goal at hand, which is quality education in the time allotted with our students. We won’t have these students forever and must use our time wisely while being flexible.
Dedication- Dedication within education is the desire and fixation to accomplish the goal, rain or shine. My dedication to my students is derived from the fact that I care about my students and their future. We must care about our student’s future in order to do properly educate with to the best of our ability. There are far too many teachers that are only here for the paycheck, which is entirely the wrong reason. I always think back to different teachers I had in school, and the best ones were the ones that cared about me as a student and were dedicated to helping and educating me. As I have experienced this first hand, this is the type of educator that I will be. Passionate and dedicated, not only for myself and my personal interests, but because I care about each and every student as an individual and their future. Being dedicated means going the extra mile, putting ourselves in the student’s shoes, and not always taking the easiest path of education, but always taking the most effective path of education; because once again, these people will not be in our class forever. We must make the best of our time with them.
The last essential element of being a successful educator is leaving your students with knowledge that will benefit them and STICK with them forever. I believe that students are a sponge. The brain is something that is easily influenced and easily molded. 2+2=4……….2 teach is 2 touch a life 4 ever. Proficient educators provide an education for students to build on and take with them to the next level. They make real world applications and real world examples to connect with the student in a way that he or she can relate. If we must give students respect in order for them to respect us. I believe education is a 2-way street, and I continue to learn more about life and the world around me the more the longer that I am an educator. For some students, this may be the only biology or science class they take the rest of their life; therefore, it only makes sense to leave them with knowledge and skills that they can apply in the real world. I want to be the teacher that 50 years down the road, a student will be in a predicament such as not knowing how to properly take antibiotics or not knowing which chemical is a biohazard, and remember my voice and my lecture that ultimately saves their life. This is why I am so precise and articulate about my curriculum and using classroom time wisely, because time is so precious. Just like our students and young people are so precious. Time, and the human brain, are the 2 greatest assets in the world to waste.
Staying up to date with modern day educational methods is very essential; as our field, and our world, are always evolving and becoming more technologically advanced. Although education has become much more electronic and internet based, I believe the foundational principals that make a great educator are the same as always. We must have the ability to connect, relate, and DISTRIBUTE information in a fashion each student will want to understand. I believe that certain educators have the ability to alter the way students think and enable them to grasp concepts they could not previously grasp. Not just in terms of motivation, but in the way each student’s brain works. There will always be students who seem to be unwilling to learn, but that can never influence the teachers desire to educate. To a certain extent, I truly believe there are no intentionally bad students. Only bad teachers and role models in their life. Young people are the future of our planet, and the manner in which they are educated will ultimately dictate the progress and fate of humanity and our beautiful world.
In addition to a diligent effort towards each students learning style and avoiding being a cookie-cutter educator, there is a much deeper reasoning for why I am a biology instructor. Biology is the study of life. All different forms of life. It also breeches into questions of our identity and our place on this planet. My #1 goal is help my students understand what is a living organism and what is not a living organism, and that all life is important, no matter how big or small. All life should be respected, no matter how big or small. I want to help students see their relation to other living organisms in terms of our biodiversity. This will enlighten students to the real meaning of biology, which is viewing the human race as a citizen of mother earth, just like all other species that inhabit her. As a citizen of mother earth, our purpose is to give back to our communities, not just take from them. Although many species, from Bacteria all the way to Eukarya, may be different than us, they are all beautiful in their own individual way. All organisms have their special biological and ecological roles in the biosphere. My role, and my destiny and my calling, is to educate. That is what I will do for the rest of my life to the best of my ability. By doing this, I am fulfilling my role and accomplishing my role in Bio and in life.
-the430miler
mentality over physicality
head track coach and assistant xc coach
a university in san Antonio