I value many things about education which is why I believe I chose to study it at the University of Dundee. I have had a very positive experience throughout my school life and was always in a vibrant learning environment which, at the time, I never really appreciated. I realise now that the fact I have access of the easiest kind to an education is a luxury that not many children in this world have. Once I realised this, the amount in which I valued education increased dramatically.

My teachers have all wholeheartedly cared about not just my success in learning but also me as an individual person, which is very important as it helped me build relationships with them as I grew up. I believe that because I always had support from my teachers and felt inspired to be like them, I have come to credit them hugely and value them as a crucial part in education. This has fuelled my aim to become a teacher, as I would like to one day be a crucial part in someone else’s own education, and inspire them as I have been inspired.

I also value the fact that education helps you accomplish self-improvement. You are always encouraged to improve and develop your own learning which also helps to thrive academically and enhance personal intelligence. By accomplishing your own self improvement and reaching personal goals it can motivate you to further develop skills.

The idea of school can contribute to the enhancement of social skills and allow you to make friends and form social groups. You also have the opportunity to learn a wide range of subjects with the chance to later on specialise in those that you enjoy. This is another thing I value about education as school not only teaches you raw knowledge from books, it also allows you to adapt to society and gain the social skills you will need in later life.

I believe that education is not centred around one specific aspect and should be about a mixture of different things. The ethos of the school is a central part to education and how the importance of the environment within the school can develop and include all of the learners. There must be a level of discipline and behaviour management in order for things to run smoothly and fairly as well as a varied range of subjects to enhance learning as much as possible. As well as the pupils idolising and respecting their teachers, there must be a level of value for the children and young people themselves. Also, education should not only emphasise academia and achieving grades, it should also be about meeting the emotional needs of the individual child and allowing them to enhance their own social skills.

The idea of being a part of this excites me, and spurs me on to do well and finish my Masters in Education and being the teacher I’ve always wishes to be.