Consider what you know about the organization of elementary, middle/junior high, and high schools. What type of school is best suited to your academic and personal characteristics? Why do you think so?

I think I prefer elementary school.

My current thinking is that I would be happiest and most effective as a 5th grade teacher. I am drawn to elementary school because of the relative autonomy in teaching, the relative enthusiasm of the students, and the added bonus that I could bring as a rare male role model. While I am also drawn to the higher level of complexity available as the student’s minds develop, I have little desire to navigate the emotional confusion of adolescence or the pseudo-sophistication of high school. Fifth grade in particular appeals to me because it is the point of maximum mental capacity before impending adulthood begins to interpose itself.

I take as my guide as to the particular suitability to me of 5th grade the writings of Rafe Esquith, a model 5th grade teacher. I also plan to use my classroom observation opportunities to see various grade levels and subjects in action. I look forward to further exploring my hypothesis as I move forward in this program.

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