Introduction

My name is Gabriel Rodriguez. I am a teacher. I've taught for a total of five years inside the classroom, but was involved in education in some way or another since I was 15 years old. I used to coach wrestling at my high school; I volunteered to help out during the youth program and help the elementary kids. I enjoyed passing down lessons and watching them utilize them in front of me. I knew that I wanted to coach wrestling one day, and teaching served as a means to an end. However, as time progressed I found myself more invigorated by the prospect of passing down a love for learning, a thirst for curiosity, and a sense of wonder that defined my inner child.

That drive to teach is what motivated me to teach become a tutor for Carney Educational Services and eventually led me to teach English in South Korea for over two years. I lived in the suburbs of Seoul teaching Kindergarten and eventually 6th grade, while holding classes for students in 1st grade, 3rd grade, and 5th. I also volunteered as an English teacher while living on the island of Koh Rong in Cambodia. I even tutored kids in math and language arts while living in Australia. Teaching is a passion that's taken me all over the world, and I've seen first hand how unique and diverse learners are. 

After taking the following personality test: (https://www.metarasa.com/mmdi/report/) I can see how some of my teaching style is reflective of my personality. I am more of an introvert, and I was an introvert for most of my life. I used this time spent alone to learn and be curious about what I know and what I'd like to know. This ambition for knowledge is something I try to pass on to my students. The test also revealed an interest in what is not known, which is a constant narrative in my classroom. Again, this quest for understanding truth is what drives my curiosity, and it's what I want to inspire in my kiddos.

This affects my relationship with my students a lot. My own curiosity to learn and understand is what lets me take a genuine interest in my students. I want to know what they are passionate about and I want to find a way to explore those curiosities. I want my students to feel proud of who they are, to feel empowered and in control of their future. I want my students to find their own voice, but more importantly, to have the confidence to use it.