Madeline CorbettMadeline Corbett is in English Secondary, hoping to also get a degree in French. She is from Chicago, Illinois, but went to the Lycée Français de Chicago, the French International School in Chicago. She is passionate about bilingual education and wishes to teach English and/or French to high school students in the U.S. or anywhere in the world.
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Student Voices with Madeline Corbett
On Her Plans Upon Graduation
I have often thought about where I want to teach and often end up being more confused and frustrated than when I first considered teaching. I think my confusion stems from my background: being French-American, living in the U.S. but attending a French school. I used to think I would return to France and teach there, however having an American teaching certificate doesn't allow me to teach in public schools there. Therefore, I oriented myself to teaching in the United States. Yet, that also seems difficult seeing as I know almost nothing about how the American educational system works or what the curriculum entails. However, working at SOAR last semester was a new way for me to teach in a bilingual school setting. Working with bilingual schools is really fun, especially when you get the full experience of being emerged in two cultures no matter where you live. There are more and more of these kinds of schools emerging and I feel as though I would fit in well in this kind of setting, because of my bicultural background. However, Tap In has also shown me how important it is to have dedicated teachers in disadvantaged schools and districts, and perhaps my energy would be better appreciated in those areas. I also lived in Chicago, and I know many schools in that city struggle; therefore, I feel somewhat of a personal responsibility to return to my community and help there as well.
In general, I think my motivation for wanting to teach is to make kids want to learn and for them to be passionate about something. I remember having teachers who really helped me to love a given subject and made it easier for me to go to school every day, because I was looking forward to discovering new information. Therefore, I want to have the same impact on my students. I want them to come to class eager to know new things and apply them, not just come to school and watch the classroom clock. I also hope that I can learn things from my students as well. Although they may not teach me anything theoretical, I believe they must have some "life lessons" that I might discover and grow from.
In all, I am not very certain of where I want to teach just yet; I still have much more to consider before I set my mind on anything, but I feel as though no matter where I go, I will do my best in that community.
In general, I think my motivation for wanting to teach is to make kids want to learn and for them to be passionate about something. I remember having teachers who really helped me to love a given subject and made it easier for me to go to school every day, because I was looking forward to discovering new information. Therefore, I want to have the same impact on my students. I want them to come to class eager to know new things and apply them, not just come to school and watch the classroom clock. I also hope that I can learn things from my students as well. Although they may not teach me anything theoretical, I believe they must have some "life lessons" that I might discover and grow from.
In all, I am not very certain of where I want to teach just yet; I still have much more to consider before I set my mind on anything, but I feel as though no matter where I go, I will do my best in that community.