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Natalie Colclasure
14 October 2013
Personality and Passion Became a Profession
Entering college, I wanted to do something worthwhile and satisfying, but I did not know
what occupation would fulfill those demands. After learning that I attain joy, both practicing and
when helping others with Spanish, I decided to become a Spanish teacher, which combines both
of my passions. Now that I have made this decision, I have been able to find confirmation in my
job choice as I study, take internships, and continue to grow as a person.
My first semester I took a seminar called “Do What You Are,” which analyzed my
personality, so I could choose a job that corresponds with it. In this class, I utilized career
service’s testing, which defined my personality, values, skills, and interests. Based on my detail-
oriented, patient, and responsible personality I needed a job that allows me to make attentive
observations and use them to help others. My values are altruism, helping others, and stability.
Teaching provides stability because it has a bright outlook since the world will always need
teachers. It also gives me a routine and a curriculum to follow. Additionally, I will create
stability and consistency for my students by making schedules and lesson plans. By helping my
students I will also help my society because I whole-heartedly believe that young students are the
future; it is up to the older people of society to pass on knowledge, so that the students can
continue to further that knowledge.
Helping, listening, and social perceptiveness are my top skills. In order to be an
understanding teacher, I have to listen to my students in order to gauge where they are in their
knowledge of Spanish. After listening to their questions and comments, I will be able to better
assist them as a class and on an individual basis. Social perceptiveness will allow me to interpret

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the behavior of my students. For example, after being in Spanish and French classes, it is
evident to me when a student is struggling. Recently, my French professor explained that
learning a language is like a safari because you must stay with the group, or the alligators will
get you. I plan to watch for confusion and frustration, so that none of my students fall behind or
get eaten by the gators. Lastly, my work and leisure interests are both social. This means that
when working and when going about my daily life, I enjoy helping and counseling others
because I value relationships. According to this assessment I am “helpful, responsible, warm,
cooperative, idealistic, sociable, tactful, friendly, kind, sympathetic, generous, patient, and
understanding” (Focus 2); because of these traits, I “enjoy teaching, caring for others,
volunteering, mediating disputes, meeting new people, and working in groups” (Focus 2). All of
these activities can be done while teaching, all of my skills can be utilized, all of my values are
filled, and I can use all of myself to teach to the best of my ability.
To this day, the profession I am surrounded by the most is teaching. From preschool to
professors, I have usually connected with many of my teachers and admired their work. As an
introvert, I prefer to have long-term, deep relationships with people and I have had many of these
relationships with teachers. This special profession allows a person to spend a semester or even
more with young pupils teaching and mentoring them. I know that I have not bonded with all of
my teachers, nor do I expect to deeply connect with each of my students. Nevertheless, I hope to
be like the many teachers that molded me, taught me, and most of all inspired me to follow their
examples. Being around teachers, I heard the good and the bad about the profession. I do not
think that I have heard of any profession complain more about their pay than teachers. I plan not
to discuss or rant about my salary with my students because over the years I have matured in my
outlook of money. Upon first looking at potential job interests, I was concerned with the average

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annual salary because they tended to be on the lower end. For some reason, the American dream
had infected me with greed for money. One day it dawned on me that money would not bring
me joy. It can bring me happiness that will soon wither like the flowers of spring, but I want
something with eternal value. Once I concluded that money was no a primary factor, I embraced
my decision to become a teacher. Teaching Spanish and the occasional life lesson is something
that I can get excited about. I know that not every student will share my joy, and past teachers
have warned me of draining, disinterested students, but I will make it my goal to share my
passion for the Spanish language and culture.
Even before I knew that I wanted to teach Spanish, I was involved in activities that
facilitated my growth and knowledge in this profession. While in high school I had to complete
500 service hours. Since I lacked a sixth hour my senior year, I decided to aide for my fifth hour
Spanish teacher. At first, I did not know or like this teacher, but now she is a close friend. She
currently lives a life similar to what I hope to live and I still help her set up classroom and ask
her the occasional Spanish question. After spending time with this teacher and the other
language teachers, I learned about the rewards and pains of teaching. I heard gossip about
trouble students and helicopter parents, while seeing what goes on after the bell rings. On a
more official level, I was a student instructional assistant my senior year, which gave me the
opportunity to help one of my past teachers and design some lesson plans. Now that I know I
want to be a teacher I have applied to be a mentor at various local schools. Last summer I was
an intern for my church’s youth pastor. My youth group included seventh to twelfth graders,
who helped me remember the drama of middle school, the awkwardness and anxiety of freshmen
year, and the apathy that comes with senior year. Spending a summer with them allowed me to
get a better feel for the age of students I plan to teach, while also allowing me to feel comfortable

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in a leadership role.
In conclusion, I think that I am well suited to be a Spanish teacher due to my character,
desires, and experiences. Even writing this paper has further convinced me that I am on the right
path. As I finish up my last few years as a student I plan to cherish every moment, so I can use
my experience as a student to influence my future actions as a teacher.

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Works Cited
"Leisure and Work Interest Profile Summary." Focus 2 Career Services. Career Dimensions Inc.,
1 Dec. 2012. Web. 10 Oct. 2013.
<http://www.focuscareer2.com/LoggedIn/WorkInterestAssessmentSummary.cfm?Unique
={ts%20'2013-10-14%2001:38:28'}>.