I grew up and received my education in Korea, where education was often focused on academic achievement and learning the same things in the same way. However, I was fortunate to meet a teacher who truly cared about me as an individual. That experience helped me realize how important a teacher-student relationship can be.
For me, teaching is like a forest. Each student is like a different tree, with their own roots, background, experiences, strengths, and ways of growing. No two trees are exactly the same. Some roots may grow in different directions, while others may become connected or even tangled. In the same way, students bring different experiences and perspectives into a classroom, and their relationships with one another can shape how they learn and grow.
I also see myself as one of the trees in this forest. I do not want to be a teacher who simply stands outside the forest and tells students how to grow. I want to build meaningful relationships with my students, learn from them, and grow alongside them. Through these relationships, I hope we can create a classroom where everyone can coexist, support one another, and grow together.
I chose a forest as my metaphor because a forest is made up of many different trees, but they become a living community by growing together. As I begin my journey as a teacher in British Columbia, where forests are also an important part of the place I live and learn, this metaphor feels especially meaningful to me. I hope to grow together with my students and, together, create a forest where every tree has its own place.