Why do you believe yourself to be suited for the teaching profession?

Recently, I had the privilege of going through the Old Dominion University Career Switcher program. Becoming a teacher was something I had contemplated but never thought I would do. Well, as they say never say never because you never know when never will come. I have been a substitute teacher on and off and working here at the Center for the last two years has helped me realize that I can do this as a career and hopefully be happy.

While filling out the application for Norfolk Public Schools the last question on the application read as follows: Why do you believe yourself to be suited for the teaching profession? My response below has been the same over the years and I am surprised that I have not detoured from my “philosophy or belief” when it comes to teaching. I believe that teaching takes passion and dedication.

Nevertheless, here is my response to the question above. I believe I am suited for the teaching profession because I enjoy helping to shape our future leaders. Gandhi stated that we must be the change that we want to see in the world. One of the ways that I can be a part of that change is through teaching and volunteering my time. I have volunteered my time in several diverse capacities over the years but the ones that stand out the most are the times I am training or facilitating youth programs. I have done several trainings on teaching youth how to deal with conflict or how to become a peer mediator in their schools. I enjoy working with young people because they keep me on top of my game and hold me to my personal belief of being the change I want to see in the world. I know I will not be able to have an impact on every student but I will make a difference in some of their lives and maybe even their parents as well. Therefore, I am suited for the teaching profession because I want to teach and want to make a difference in the future leaders of my children. I want to be the teacher that they will know I truly care about their future.

-Veronica Hill

I hurt my left foot over the summer. For several months I was back and forth to the doctor trying different “boots” and treatments to no avail. On October 10th my doctor put me in a cast from just under my toes to right under my knees. I was told not to put weight on it and to learn to use crutches for the next 4-6 weeks.

I felt paralyzed! I was not in pain but I was completely uncomfortable. I felt like the world around me was no longer accessible. It took me several days, no honestly it took a week or two, for me to realize that I could get around, I could do most of the things I had been able to do without the cast.

I tell this story for two reasons. The first is that I now have a whole new compassion and empathy for those who are physically disabled. I don’t mean that I feel sorry for them, I just feel like I know where they are coming from now even though my “disability” was minor and hopefully temporary. They face a challenge every time they have to go up porch steps to enter a house or when they need to go grocery shopping. (I have resorted to taking my 3 sons grocery shopping with me so that I can ride around in one of those electric carts and they can help carry the bags to the car while I hop on my crutches. Before this I tried to never take the boys grocery shopping, mostly because I spend a whole lot more time and money when they are with me!)

The second reason I tell this story is because I have been impressed and surprised at people's help (or lack of help) when I am in public. Sometimes I’ll be hopping up to a door and someone will stop what they are doing to hold it open for me. At other times people will continue on with what they are doing while I try struggle to get the door open. For the most part, people have been helpful and I think that is great. The group I have been most impressed with is my co-workers. They have been so helpful and kind (only a few jokes a day!). They carry my try for me when we go out to eat, they open doors for me, and they even carry my water bottle for me when I needed to teach a class! Thanks guys.

This experience has taught me, or maybe just reminded me, that life is not just about yourself and your own struggle. Everybody is dealing with something whether you can see it or not. So lend a helping hand, open a door or just smile at someone today.

-Sara Foote

Life at the CMC

I have been with the Community Mediation Center for several months now, and I truly believe that teamwork and the people that one is granted the privilege of calling co-workers make the difference between working a job and developing a career.

The people I work with come from diverse backgrounds and cultures but we all manage to put our differences to the side and make a team that is both beneficial and rewarding for both our volunteer mediators as well as our cliental.

I believe that this is the secret ingredient to a thriving workplace; teamwork, reliability, empathy - and the ability to say its ok to dress up as a mime or Gilligan, or even Batgirl when you come to work. These are characteristics that you won’t find many places, and if you do, then it is a true gem you have found and should cherish. I have enjoyed my time here with the CMC and look forward to working with this fun, creative, and diverse group of people for many more years to come.

-Chaniece Winfield