The world leads us all many different pathways. Some of us are placed in positive and enjoyable situations while other pathways may lead to negative long-term effects. No matter the situation in which we are placed, it is important to come out of the situations with having learned a lesson.

Our role models, while on our journey to teaching, are some of the greatest resources we will have. These people are the models for how we will or maybe will not shape our own classrooms one day. Role models tend to be the people that we lean on when we need assistance. Thy are the people that are always willing to help and offer a welcoming environment.

Since starting my journey to become a teacher, I have worked with many different types of people. Many of these people have created positive working environments not only for me but also for their students. Most recently, while in a second-grade classroom, as an aide, I got partnered up with an outstanding teacher. She has been teaching for over 25 years. I could tell that she is truly passionate about her job. She was there not for a paycheck but for her students. She was a fantastic role model and I know that I can reach out to her anytime I have questions.

On the other hand, we typically come across some bad apples or people who are the opposite of role models, while on our journey. We must learn how to grow from these negative experiences. These experiences will help us to shape who we are and what we want our classroom atmosphere to look like.

Though I have had some great mentors, there have been a few coworkers with which I have learned how not to act. These are usually the workers who are there just for a paycheck and not because they love doing their job. They are usually people I try to avoid unless I really need to ask them a question. Although these role models may not be the ones we lean on for assistance, as future teachers, we can just as easily learn from the bad apples and much as we can learn from the good apples.