Road to TEACH video reflection

I the "Road to TEACH" video incredibly refreshing and inspiring.  I was very much able to relate to the students as I "followed" them throughout their cross-country journey, particularly in that I felt as though their experiences helped to validate many of the fears I have as my college years are coming to a close.  Like the students in the video, I know what my passions and aspirations are, but unfortunately, outside forces have sometimes made me second-guess my decisions regarding my future.  The teaching profession certainly doesn't receive the credit it deserves, but at the end of the day, what matters is how important it is to you as an individual.  Teachers know that their work is hard but ever so meaningful, even if others don't take it so seriously.  One thing that I really liked about this video was being able to hear how the educators being interviewed responded to the questions posed by the students.  It seems as though there were many common threads between the interviews, particularly regarding the fact that it's okay not to have everything figured out all at once, and that if you stay true to yourself and to the things you believe in, great things will happen.  I also loved getting a glimpse of how broad the field of education really is--there are so many unique people out there doing so many wonderful things that they are deeply passionate about, and it doesn't have to fit a certain "ideal" of what makes a "great" education, but instead comes down to the individual doing the teaching, and, even more importantly, the students they are working with.  The enthusiasm of these educators was contagious, and it honestly left me feeling so excited to see what I am capable of achieving once I enter the profession.  Finally, I really appreciated the fact that so much emphasis within the interviews was placed on embracing your genuine, inner self, and not being afraid to share that self with your students.  The more "real" you are, and the more opportunistic and enthusiastic, the happier you will be, and the more likely you will be to connect with your students and really make a difference in their lives.