Williams 1 My Autobiography: Jessica Williams Introduction to Teaching 111 Mrs. Eastman 10 September 2007
Williams 2 Abstract My name is Jessica Williams, and the following paragraph contains a review of my life so far. I was born in Greenville, Ohio, and at the age of five I moved to Auburn, Indiana. I had wonderful teachers all through elementary school. In the fourth grade, during physical education, I cracked my left tibia. During that time I wore a cast for three months, and my teacher Ms. Randa helped me every step of the way. All too fast elementary school passed, and I started middle school. Middle School is where I encountered the most struggles and insecurities. Not soon enough, middle school passed and I was finally in high school. During high school I was involved in Show Choir, National Honors Society, and many other clubs. I was involved with cadet teaching my senior year, and loved helping the students every day. Finally, I decided to come to Manchester College after finding out about the strong education program. All in all, many joys and wonderful experiences have filled my life along with many struggles and learning experiences.
Williams 3 My Autobiography Jessica Williams My name is Jessica Marie Williams, and the following paragraphs contain the story of my life thus far. Along with telling of my physical timeline, I will also describe my emotional timeline including disappointments, victories, struggles, likes, and dislikes. I feel that every event in my life has effected who I am as a person today. My exciting life has just begun, and I know many adventures are to come. I was born in Greenville, Ohio, on January 11, 1989. My mother was eighteen years old when I was born, and was attending Manchester College. I was an average sized, healthy baby, and I soon grew to be a young child. I did normal things all children do at a young age such as, cut my hair off when I was four, fall when learning to ride a bicycle, and create many art masterpieces. When I became five years old my mother got engaged to my soon to be father. As a result I moved to Auburn, Indiana, leaving my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other extended family. The move to Indiana was scary, exciting, and emotional. I was homesick from leaving my grandparents, but at the same time I had gained a father. I started first grade in the fall, and I loved my teacher, Mrs. Starkey. I was an excellent reader, and I got to be one of the few students to try out the book testing program. A program where students read books, then answered questions about the reading, ultimately receiving points for correct answers. The area I struggled in, and still find tough is mathematics. Luckily, my teachers addressed my weakness, and continually helped me to succeed. First grade led to second, and second led to third. I was continually getting one good teacher after the next. In third grade I encountered my first big disappointment. My best friend Caitlin was planning to move to Springfield, Illinois. I did everything with Caitlin from girl scouts, to soccer, to dance class. I was very upset from the move, and I decided to quit all the activities in which I was involved in. Eventually, I got over Caitlin s move and made new friends. In the meantime, my brother Logan was born when I was 7, and my brother Matthew was born when I was age 10. About halfway through my fourth grade year, a boy in my class decided to tackle me during a physical education game of flag football. Unfortunately, the unexpected tackle left me with a broken left tibia. I wore a cast all the way up my thigh, and used crutches for 3 months. During these long months my fourth grade
Williams 4 teacher, Ms. Randa, went above and beyond the duties of a teacher. Ms. Randa even stopped by my house to deliver balloons and candy. Not only did I learn a lot that year, but Ms. Randa made a personal connection with me. Next came fifth grade, and I encountered my first male teacher, Mr. Auguire. I was a little nervous and did not know what to expect going into a male s classroom. I was pleasantly surprised to find a nice older man who loved mathematics. During my fifth grade year I probably learned more about math than any other year of my education. All too fast, elementary school ended, and I was now into the next phase of my life known as middle school. My three years in middle school were definitely filled with the most struggles and insecurities. I was flooded with disappointment when I tried out for choir my sixth grade year and sadly, did not make the choir. I did try again the next year, and eventually made the group. Another disappointment came when the annual trip to Washington D.C. was cancelled due to all the conflict from the War in Iraq. All the students, including me, were informed that our two hundred dollar deposit would not be refunded. All through middle school I felt as though every teacher I had was just at school to lecture, and did not go the extra mile to ensure I was adjusting to the awkward changes of middle school. I was with little self esteem and very insecure. My so called friends were not supportive, I felt pressured to dress and act a certain way and not be true to myself. I felt lost going through middle school not knowing who I really was as a person. Not soon enough, middle school came and passed, and I was left with a fresh start at DeKalb High School. Not only did I start high school, but my parents decided the house was too small and we needed to move. My parents decided to have our new house built on Sanders Drive. During the building process of the new house my family and I had the difficult task of fitting five people into a two bedroom apartment. My family made the best of a cramped situation, and after about a year the new house was finished. Moving into a new house symbolized my new life in high school. During my freshman year I tried out for the DeKalb Show Choir, and surprisingly made the group. I then met the best teacher I have ever had, Mrs. Johnson, my choir director. Mrs. Johnson taught me how to preserver, how to be myself, and how to do many things with music. Show Choir also allowed me to go on two big trips with all my
Williams 5 best friends. My freshman year the Show Choir went to Orlando, Florida for a big competition. Also my junior year the Show Choir went to Branson, Missouri. Both trips were a lot of fun, and very rewarding. Besides obtaining many first place trophies, three second place state trophies, and many beautiful dresses, Show Choir left me with wonderful friends and lifelong memories. I received individual awards through Show Choir including outstanding performer awards, highest point total awards, and the outstanding freshman award. Show Choir encouraged me to join other clubs and activities such as National Honors Society, Youth Group, Spanish Club, and many theatrical productions. DeKalb High School gave me the best four years of my life so far. At DeKalb High School my teachers were wonderful instructors and my friends were supportive and loyal. During my four years of high school I confirmed I wanted to be a teacher so I could help children find their place and learn just as I did during elementary school and high school. I joined the cadet teaching program my senior year of high school; I loved every minute of cadet teaching in the classroom. I clicked with my new students, and felt a connection I so fondly remembered from my elementary school years. I felt for the students and the struggles they were going through. By the end of the year I decided to babysit for my summer job. I babysat for four different families and watched five children every day. I put my new teacher skills to work, and planned a craft and reading time, among other things daily. Babysitting turned out to be the best experience I have ever had with children, and I still visit them often. Finally, I came to Manchester College after hearing about the strong education program. I also followed the family tradition considering my mother, father, grandmother, three aunts and uncles, and many more extended family members attended Manchester College. I plan on receiving my bachelor s degree in 2011. Eventually, I would like to attend grad school and obtain my masters degree. I have many future goals, but I feel I have met many of my goals already. I have graduated High School with honors, participated in many clubs and activities, and have met many wonderful people. All in all, many joys and wonderful experiences have filled my life along with struggles and learning experiences, and I know I am only at the beginning of my adventure.
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