Intellectual Autobiography: My Passion for Child Success

Roniesha Williams

Integrated and Liberal Studies Program, Delaware State University

LIBS 390: Survey of Liberal Studies

Dr. Turhan Potter

February 1, 2024
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My name is Roniesha Williams and I am from Westchester, NY. Initially, I enrolled in

college as an elementary education student but later changed my degree to liberal studies. My

identity as a liberal studies major consists of me being compassionate, creative, and helpful. I’d

characterize myself as compassionate because I am sympathetic towards people and their

situations. I’m not quick to judge because I understand that everyone is affected by various

factors, has different beliefs, and lives by different principles. I don't believe in judging someone

for the way they look, dress, or act without truly getting to know them because you never know

what someone is going through or has been through. I see myself as a creative individual due to

my expression through art and fashion. The tools I use in art and fashion allow me to be creative

in my everyday life. I think differently than many of my peers because in art and fashion there is

no right or wrong, mistakes can be fixed and something that is boring can always be made more

exciting. I am resourceful and can use the tools in front of me to overcome challenges. I am

helpful because I am creative and compassionate. I've always been the kind to lend a hand

whenever I can, if it’s in my power to help out at the time I will. I was blessed with a variety of

resources that I use to help others. If I am able to help out financially I will, I know many people

in many fields of work, I offer to reach out to them on the behalf of others around me, and more.

I do my best to encourage and motivate the people around me. I don’t even have to necessarily

know the person in order for me to offer my help. I believe that sometimes all a person needs is

an additional push or the proper people around them to achieve in life, and I appreciate doing

anything I can to help them get there.

For as long as I can remember, I have always had a passion for child success. My mom is

an educator, and I grew up going to work with her on days that I didn’t have school. I loved
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actively participating in the classroom and being able to offer extra one-on-one help to those who

needed it. My mother was a very inspiring teacher; she commanded her students respect while

maintaining a lighthearted relationship with them. Being in the classroom with her so much

created an appreciation for the ability to create meaningful connections with students, while

making sure their educational needs are met. My senior year of high school I interned at my old

elementary school in a fourth-grade classroom. The teacher I worked with, Ms. Dapolito, also

maintained a good student-teacher relationship with her students. She wanted them to succeed

not only academically but in life too. She encouraged her students to speak up for themselves as

well as encouraged them to believe in themselves and their capability. She was aware of her

students’ strengths and weaknesses and worked separately with the students that needed more

help providing them with the extra tools they needed. She allowed them independence by not

assigning seats and providing a variety of seating options such as a standing desk, a seat with

wheels, and a yoga ball. She did her best to promote student success by meeting the needs of

each student in her class and promoting independence. Her way of teaching inspired me even

more to become an educator. Working with kids has always been my passion and liberal studies

gives me that opportunity to continue on that path.

Once I graduate I want to enter the education field, specifically elementary education. I

feel like elementary school teachers can have a strong impact on students. My mother always

talks about how her students come back to her years later and thank her for the impact she had on

them. I often think back to my elementary school teachers and the impact they had on my life as

well. I believe that a good teacher meets the educational needs of his or her students while

making sure students develop in other areas. My passion for student success mixed with my
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helpful and compassionate nature leads me to believe I have it in me to become an impactful

teacher. Much like integrative interdisciplinary thinking, it is important to create the foundation

for students “to ask meaningful questions about complex issues and problems, (..) locate multiple

sources of knowledge, information, and perspectives, (..) [and] compare and contrast them to

reveal patterns and connections.” (pg 21). I want my students to be able to feel comfortable both

academically and within themselves in my classroom. It is a teacher's job to facilitate and guide

students. All students learn differently and at different pace so it is important to be patient. Like

Ms. Dapolito I want to be able to encourage my students to ask questions and speak up for

themselves in and outside the classroom. I will do my best to reason with them, present topics in

an interesting way to make students want to ask questions, and ask guided questions to open their

minds to new concepts. I want my students to leave my classroom with the ability to approach

obstacles effectively; at the very least begin to understand what it’s like to be able to handle

obstacles effectively.

When engaging with younger age groups, my approach is rooted in patience and a

genuine commitment to providing the best assistance possible. I remember my mom had a

student in the second grade who always slept in class and rarely had his homework done. She

explained to me he watched his younger siblings at night while his mother worked. Despite the

frustration that naturally arose in the teaching process, my mom's compassionate understanding

of her students' circumstances led her to be patient and supportive. I often think back and try to

think what I would do in that situation. That’s why I think it is important to create relationships

with not only students but parents/guardians too. When I think about this situation, it makes me
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remember how important it is to have empathy and understand the different backgrounds and

problems that kids may bring to

the classroom. Thinking about how I would handle similar situations makes me want to

create a space where understanding and support can grow. This experience shows how important

it is to build ties not only with students and teachers but also with parents and guardians; if

possible. Teachers can learn a lot about each child's unique situations and problems outside of

school by building strong relationships with the people who care for them. When teachers and

parents work together to make a safe and caring learning setting for all students, it creates a

supportive and nurturing learning environment for all students.

Work Cited

Augsburg , Tanya. “What Is Interdisciplinary? Some Essential Definitions .” Becoming

Interdisciplinary: An Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies, Third ed., Kendall Hunt

Publishing Company , Dubuque, IA, 2005, pp. 2006–2016.