Why I To Teach

By Daisy Salinas, kindergarten teacher Amerischools Academy Yuma South Campus

Teaching has always been my passion. From the very first moment I step into a classroom, I start to build trust with my students. I believe that in order to have a healthy learning atmosphere, students must first trust their teacher. I have become aware that teaching is not only about teaching—for the teacher as well as for the students, it’s about learning. As a teacher I hope to be able to be a positive influence in many lives and to help students understand what education can do for them and their future.

Teaching has not been what I expected it to be, but I have enjoyed and learned every minute. I do not mind the difficulties I’ve had, because I have learned from them. I knew it was going to be challenging, but the outcomes are more than worth it. I expected to be focused on maintaining discipline, and I knew that motivating students was going to be a challenge. The challenges are real, but my goal is to start every year with creativity and energy, and to make a difference in students’ lives. Every year I’m committed to creating and providing a comfortable learning environment for all students. I know that it’s important to focus and work hard in academic areas, but equally important is building positive character traits.

The best day of teaching for me is—every day! I like to make discoveries for myself every day in areas where I am not familiar or comfortable, because it reminds me of how my students feel when they’re learning something new.

I can relate to their fear of failure and frustration. Because I know the anxieties they may feel in learning, I can stay focused on presenting curriculum in ways that will hopefully lead to successful learning for every student in my classroom. Especially, I always try to make sure students know that their hard work does not go unnoticed. I love to see students grow, I love to see them work hard and demonstrate strong leadership skills.

I feel that the way we teach is continually changing. With all the new technologies that kids are exposed to these days, a teacher has to work hard to keep up with what’s going on in their students’ lives. For the teacher, teaching is a continual learning process. It requires problem-solving and risk-taking to enrich the lives of every child in the classroom.

I face new challenges every day, and it is essential for me to be flexible and take risks in order to overcome those challenges. I want to help my students grow beyond their own comfort zones whenever necessary, and so I have to be more than willing to grow beyond my own comfort zones, too. For me and for my students, learning is a shared, continuing adventure.

I love my job! ❤

“I grew up in Yuma, Arizona and Salinas, California. I graduated from Arizona State University as well as Northern Arizona University. I have been teaching at Amerischools Academy for eight years. I am a proud parent of three children and married for twelve years. I love volunteering and helping others.”

MY FAVORITE QUOTE: “Every child deserves a champion: an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be.” —Rita Pierson, educator Amerischools Academy Yuma South (K-6) 2098 South 3rd Avenue Yuma, AZ 85364 (928) 329-1100