Becoming a teacher is something that brought a lot of fear to me for a long time, but as I get closer and closer and gain experience through college coursework and working at a juvenile corrections facility, that fear is dwindling more and more everyday.
The young adults that I work with definitely have problems, but as you start to establsih trust in your working relationship with them, you start to realize that they really are good people that have seemingly fallen off the right path. What I try to do as a corrections officer is try and make them realize that the mistakes they made don’t have to be made twice. I tell them that life is about choices, and though most choices are very hard, the rewards of making a good choice as compared to a bad one are neverending.
I was skeptical when I first started this job, but it seems as though the kids grow on you, and instead of dreading going to work, I look forward to going to work. It is fun to see young adults correct their wrong behaviors, and actually try and contribute to society. I know that not all of those young adults will, but I truly know that some will and knowing I am a part of that makes a person feel good!
