West Virginia: Letters to Future Educators

Dr. Ernie Adkins (WV ’14)
Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education, Mercer County Schools | Princeton

Dear Future Teacher,

I want to start with an anonymous quote: “Teaching is the one profession that creates all other professions.” To me, that means teaching is the most important profession that exists. I assume my story is much like yours. I grew up in southern West Virginia and am a first-generation college graduate. I understood from a very early age that education is the great equalizer and with hard work I could become anything I wanted to be. I always enjoyed learning, liked my teachers and loved the school experience.

In my junior high and high school years, I realized that I loved all things science, from geology to biology. I had wonderful science teachers during those years, and several inspired me to become one myself. I knew that I had definitely chosen the right profession when I was given my first opportunity to teach a “mini-lesson” in one of my earliest education courses at Concord University. I enjoyed the process of planning only second to delivering the lesson to my classmates. I loved it! My love for teaching only grew when I was able to actually go into classrooms to observe and eventually teach lessons and work with students.

This is where you, as a student in the “Grow Your Own” program, have an advantage over all of us who came before you. You get to experience these things as juniors and seniors in high school and carry your experiences with you as you as you complete your degree at a cooperating university. I have observed students much like yourself fall in love with teaching when they get to work with students in the classroom. I encourage you to take full advantage of this wonderful opportunity you have been given to get a jump start on your degree and future career as an educator.

I would like to share one of my favorite quotes about teaching from Scott Hayden: “Teachers have three loves: love of learning, love of learners, and the love of bringing the first two loves together.” As a teacher, you have the opportunity to be the one person who makes a difference in a child’s future. Not just for today or tomorrow, but for the rest of their lives. My teachers and education made a difference for me, and I am forever grateful. I can only hope that I have been able to do the same for some of my students. You can be that difference-maker too!

I wish you the best of luck and success in the best profession. You will be someone’s inspiration and someone’s favorite teacher. Enjoy every minute of it.