This blog post explores how a profound interest in biochemistry connected to my dream of becoming an educator. It briefly outlines the process by which scientific curiosity expanded into student mentoring and educational vision, and how it shaped my direction as a future science teacher.
Motivation for Choosing My Major
Sima Guang said, ‘A teacher who instructs in the classics is easy to find, but a teacher who guides a person is hard to come by.’ I believe a teacher should not merely impart knowledge but also be someone who develops and elevates a student’s character.
There were moments during my school life when I felt lost, but each time, the genuine care of true teachers allowed me to faithfully fulfill my duties as a student until now. When students receive a teacher’s profound love and care, they can develop infinitely. I believe a teacher’s reward lies in witnessing such growth in their students.
I am particularly interested in the field of biochemistry, and my goal is to guide students so that they may become the foundation of science education in our country in the future. I aspire to be a teacher who respects students’ creativity and autonomy, and who ignites scientific curiosity in students who only perceive science as difficult. Furthermore, whenever I see students struggling to adapt to school or society due to a lack of attention and affection, I feel deeply sorry for them. My dream is to encourage such children and nurture them into talented individuals.
To realize this aspiration, I firmly believe it is essential to enter ○○ University, widely regarded as one of Korea’s top universities. I wish to transform into a proper educator through your institution’s outstanding faculty and curriculum.
Academic Plan and Goals
My goal is to become an academic excellence scholarship recipient for all four years. This is to keep myself from becoming complacent. Devoting myself fully to my studies is my first plan. Academically, I aim to acquire knowledge in chemistry and its related subjects: mathematics, physics, and biology.
Additionally, during my first and second years, I will diligently study English to collect and read diverse materials on science education in advanced countries. I believe domestic science education still has many shortcomings, so studying exemplary educational materials from advanced nations will greatly strengthen my ability to guide students later.
Second, I plan to develop computer skills. This is to enable me to create educational programs needed for students and utilize them in class. Specifically, I want to use the internet to facilitate exchanges between my students and students from various countries around the world. I believe interacting with students from other nations will greatly increase children’s interest in science.
Third, to cultivate character—an area often neglected by natural science students—I will engage in diverse reading and travel. I particularly wish to visit outstanding schools in advanced countries. By broadening my horizons regarding science education, I aim to contribute to improving the science education environment in our country. Finally, I plan to participate in night schools opened for those who couldn’t receive proper education due to difficult living conditions. Activities at night schools will not only be volunteer work but also a place to share the knowledge I’ve learned, providing valuable experience as a prospective teacher.
Post-Graduation Plans
After graduation, I will pursue graduate studies to acquire more specialized knowledge. The field I wish to research in graduate school is biochemistry, which seeks to understand biological phenomena from a molecular perspective. I am particularly interested in focusing on areas related to endocrine disruptors, which have recently gained significant attention. While my dream is to become an educator, I believe that even while teaching students, I must never lose the attitude of a learner. Therefore, if necessary, I am willing to pursue not only graduate school but also study abroad. I will become a teacher who constantly studies and grows. I believe only a growing teacher can provide quality lessons to children. I will strive to become a true educator, to be a stepping stone for children who may become future scientists.
Self-Introduction (Life Philosophy, Values)
These days, people say a teacher’s authority has plummeted. While it’s often attributed to parents’ lack of trust in teachers compared to the past, looking at it another way, teachers who acted in ways that made them untrustworthy also bear responsibility. Like other professions, I believe teaching is a vocation that requires a sense of mission, just like being a doctor, judge, or journalist. Everyone has a childhood where learning is essential. During that time, which teacher a child encounters is a critically important matter. This is because wounds received in childhood profoundly shape a person’s character. I believe that when people look back on their childhood, they remember some as mentors, while others are simply remembered as school teachers. I think everyone would agree that the difference lies in love. Therefore, I believe a teacher should not just teach, but also have affection for their students. I want to be remembered by my students not just as a teacher, but as a mentor.
