EDUC 5183 - Autobiographical Reflection

The Journey That Shaped Me as an Educator

I grew up in a large, tight-knit family with two sisters, an adopted brother, and lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins. We celebrated every birthday and holiday together, usually at my grandmother's house. While my dad was not particularly religious, my mom’s side of the family were devout Catholics, where you did not miss mass unless you were truly sick. My dad worked as a bricklayer and my mom was an elementary school teacher. Together they instilled in us the importance of a strong work ethic. They also set an incredible example of lasting love, as they will celebrate sixty-two years of marriage this August.

As a kid, I was more interested in sports and socializing than school. I remember comments in my elementary school report cards that read, “She’s a good student, but she talks too much!” My first two years of college were a struggle, and I was not sure what path to take. Around that time, my uncle, who was a nurse, suggested I look into the X-ray program at the local vocational school. I did not know much about the field, but I trusted his advice and decided to give it a try. That one decision turned out to be a defining moment in my career. Over thirty-five years later, I continue to work as a radiographer, not because I have to, but because I truly love what I do.

Teaching was never something I pictured for myself. It all started when a former coworker called me out of the blue and asked if I had ever considered going into education. I began to think about where I was in my career and how physically demanding work could be. Even though I had no experience, no idea what I was doing, and was often only a few hours ahead of my students when it came to preparing lessons, I decided to take a leap of faith, and I am truly thankful I did.

All of these experiences have played a role in shaping me into the person and educator I am today. The lessons passed down from my parents and grandparents, my faith, strong work ethic, and deep family values have all left a lasting impact. My years in healthcare have shown me the full range of human experience from birth to death and suffering to healing. All of these moments have taught me more than any textbook ever could.

And then there are my students. They have probably taught me as much as I have taught them. Each class that I have taught challenges me to adapt and become better. I have the privilege of spending 18 months with them and by the time they graduate, they truly feel like family. These relationships help to remind me how important it is to create a learning environment where every student feels valued, respected, and heard.

Looking ahead, I am excited to continue learning and growing as an educator. I am incredibly grateful to the friend who encouraged me to step into teaching. Even though I never pictured myself in this role, I now cannot imagine my life without it.

Caryn Krueger