In this blog post, I’ll outline my academic experiences, school activities, examples of consideration and cooperation during my high school years, as well as my motivation for becoming an elementary school teacher and my preparation process.

Academic Experiences and Reflections

There were times when I hit a slump in my studies, lost sight of my goals, and felt listless. When I entered high school and felt overwhelmed by the pressure of college admissions, the increased workload, and more difficult problems, it was my freshman homeroom teacher who came to my rescue. The teacher genuinely cared about her students; she noticed my state of mind and proactively offered counseling, which allowed me to open up and share my concerns.
She encouraged me, explaining that everyone goes through slumps and that I was more than capable of getting through it. She also presented various possibilities—such as the causes of my declining grades, college admissions information, and strategies tailored to my needs—which were a huge help in finding solutions. Through ongoing counseling, I was able to objectively analyze my situation and worked hard to find study methods that suited me.
My teacher pointed out that while I had good concentration, I struggled to sustain it for long periods. Based on this insight, I focused as much as possible during class and made sure to rest sufficiently during breaks so I could refocus for the next class. During self-study periods and while studying at home, I maintained a pattern of studying for one hour followed by a 10-minute break, in line with my school’s guidelines.
By adjusting my study schedule to suit my concentration style and consistently following this routine, I gained the stamina to study without burning out. Thanks to meeting a great teacher who helped me analyze myself, identify my strengths and weaknesses, and develop efficient study methods, I was able to overcome my slump.

Major School Activities and Reflections

I actively participated in the school’s traditional senior-junior mentoring program. Although I initially joined to gain college admissions information and tips from upperclassmen, I gradually moved beyond simply sharing information to building relationships and communicating with a diverse group of people. Through mentoring, I practiced introducing myself and conveying my insights persuasively, which helped me develop my ability to empathize with others.
Mentoring activities went beyond simply gathering information; they became a time to relieve stress and share my thoughts. I continue to foster a mutually beneficial relationship with my juniors by sharing my experiences of overcoming slumps and my tips for improving grades. Their passion for studying and their spirit of taking on challenges serve as a positive source of inspiration for me as well.
Reading was another major pillar of my life. Driven by pure curiosity, a desire to improve my skills, and a wish to cultivate philosophical thinking, I read consistently and built a broad base of knowledge by exploring various genres. My teachers recognized the volume of my reading, and thanks to that, I was recommended to participate in the school’s reading debate competition, where I even won first place.
Reading allowed me to view a single topic from multiple perspectives—including culture, science, history, and philosophy—and enabled me to use rich evidence and diverse expressions during debates. While preparing for the competition, I practiced “focusing on the other person’s words to identify key points,” “active listening,” “projecting a confident voice,” and “speaking slowly.” This experience was also instrumental in improving my public speaking and persuasion skills later on.

Examples of Compassion, Sharing, and Collaboration, and My Reflections

As vice president of the student council, I served as a central point of communication and fulfilled various roles. I assisted with the principal’s requests and student council duties, fostered a positive atmosphere through communication with fellow council members, and distributed tasks while offering encouragement. Gathering feedback from council members and conveying it to the student council president and school administration—and then receiving feedback in return—was an important task and a significant responsibility.
Through my student council activities, I developed the ability to coordinate relationships with others, gained fundamental social skills, and cultivated leadership and empathy. I believe that the experience of carrying out my duties responsibly and listening to and coordinating the opinions of others will be a great asset in my future college life and my path as an educator.
In my volunteer work, I focused on donating my teaching skills. Teaching children and conversing with them brought me great joy, and I felt a deep sense of fulfillment in practicing generosity through teaching. At first, I thought I was simply giving unilaterally, but as I volunteered, I realized that I actually gained even more strength from the process of mutual giving and receiving.
Through educational volunteer work, I experienced firsthand that sharing is a value that fosters mutual consideration and cooperation. Through my interactions with the children, I gained a deep understanding of the meaning of consideration and cooperation, and these experiences have greatly influenced the kind of educator I aspire to become.

Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans

I believe the essential qualities required of an elementary school teacher are “teaching skills” and “the ability to communicate with children.” Elementary school students range in age from 7 to 11, a period when the foundations of their character are being laid. Therefore, I believe it is important not only to have the skills to convey educational content effectively but also the ability to genuinely understand and communicate with children at their level.
An attitude that sincerely understands children’s concerns and earns their trust is an essential quality for an educator. Additionally, designing creative hands-on activities and educational programs to help children discover their dreams and aptitudes is an important role for an elementary school teacher. After giving these points deep consideration, I decided on my path as an educator.
Above all, I have emphasized the importance of personal character. This is because a teacher’s character plays a significant role in wisely addressing issues such as bullying within a group. To this end, I have strived to maintain a positive mindset and have sought out and read books on the humanities and philosophy to deeply reflect on human values and character. Consistently engaging in volunteer work and experiencing firsthand the spirit of consideration and sharing was also part of the process of cultivating my personal character.
Through educational volunteer work and mentoring activities, I practiced my teaching effectiveness and persuasiveness in real-world settings. I believe that teaching is not merely the transmission of information, but a process of persuasion based on trust. I have personally confirmed that when I am perceived as a trustworthy person, students are more likely to listen to what I say and be open to change.
I now plan to attend college to deepen my understanding of teaching techniques and educational theory. I will continue to strive to become an elementary school teacher of high moral character who excels at communication—an educator capable of understanding children’s concerns from their perspective and designing effective educational programs. Through my studies in college, I intend to steadily prepare myself for a career in the field.