My view of education and teaching has been influenced by many outside influences. From where I grew up to the people I admire, there is a wide range of reasons why I chose this path. Someday I intend to help my students learn and never stop learning myself. Education is the key to success. During my studies I always attended a public school. This pushes me to explore my options because I have never thought about teaching in a private school. I have gained an excellent education and experience through public school and now intend to teach in a public school. I'm curious to explore what private schools have to offer for an elementary teacher. The diversity of students in my high school by race was small. We were 94% white, 4% Hispanic, and 2% other races. Beyond race, though, we had many different types of students. Similar to a considerable number of schools, we had a large group of students who were involved in athletics, club students, and a small number of students who were not involved in anything. These activities ranged from soccer to art club. It was easy to find something you liked at my high school, and because of that, student engagement was high. In addition to this, students involved in specific activities seemed to get along well with other groups of people. Throughout my life I have had teachers who have had an impact on me. Teachers who were my school teachers and teachers I didn't have growing up. Every single teacher taught me a lesson and influenced me in a certain way. There were some teachers who influenced me and my future career. For example, my high school English teacher was more than just a teacher to me and my classmates. If... half of the paper... laptops are bad for students, I can think of pros and cons either way. Your brain acquires a stronger memory when you write on paper with a pen or pencil. Laptops are just a convenience in this case. Furthermore, they were a great distraction and temptation for students who chose not to use them appropriately. On the plus side, they were excellent for group cooperation, easy Internet access, and communication. I believe they have had a positive impact on those who have used them responsibly. I intend to stay up to date on technology in my future classroom, but also understand when it's best to use paper. Overall, I had a unique experience that led me to the decision to become an elementary teacher. People, places, ideas and facts have shaped me into the person I have become. I'm excited to continue learning and making a difference in the world.