Why I became a teacher

call me Ms. du Preez from now on, thanks

[@ccchhhrrriiisss100]

Danielle, you raise such a terrific point. Using hindsight, I feel that elementary school was the most important years of my development. During middle school, high school and even college and post-grad, most of what I "learned" was actually self-taught out of a form of insatiable curiosity that was fostered in elementary school. I certainly continued to learn in class. However, I was already beginning to analyze how I learned in school versus what I could learn on my own. My interests, study habits, study techniques and even my own personality was mostly developed during those elementary school years. Of course, your story kind of mirrors my own. I was reading and writing in kindergarten. Consequently, I was eager to learn and advance. In fact, I always made the effort to "befriend" my teachers in elementary school. This was because I wanted to learn as much as I could from them. Your classroom kids of lucky to have you as their teacher!

[@alexboskov6063]

As a fellow first-gen American, I love how much I can relate to your content and experiences... please keep going :) always something interesting to say that I hadn't really considered before! I definitely agree that elementary school is probably one of the most important formative experiences for us as kids - I remember in hs we watched how French kids at school even learnethings like table etiquette at school, and it seems like issues like controversial things like affiramtive action could be done away with in favor of a more early (and effective) evening out of inequalities I'm also a bit at a crossroads of whether I should pursue medicine or a career in engineering, so I feel like I can relate to you there as well!

[@SelfReflective]

Is she first-gen American? I had no idea.

[@alexboskov6063]

@@SelfReflective yeah, her parents are from South Africa

[@SelfReflective]

@@alexboskov6063 Aha, thanks.

[@gillyt8700]

I'm moving schools, but you are going to be the new 6th grade teacher in my school! I'm so excited for my friends to hopefully have you! Go bob cats!

[@reese6235]

wt oh it’s u-

[@gillyt8700]

@@reese6235 yes it's gilly ik

[@elene1219]

wait omg

[@reese6235]

@@elene1219 ??

[@MS-bi3ht]

Omg Im so happy for you! Ive been watching this channel since you were the AP Queen!! Keep us updated if you can, i really enjoy your content

[@reese6235]

OH MISS DU PRE PRE ITS UR FAVORITE (the one u always yell at for being in the wrong seat or in ur classroom in the morning) I HAVE A QUESTIONNNNNN ARE U TEACHING 6thhhh GRADE NEXT YEAR UWUUUUU AND U WERE TALKING ABT UR FIRST YEAR AND STUFF BUT WHAT ABT THIS YEAR ITS AMAZING SINCE U HAVE ME IKKKKK HEHE anyways ya u should give me all 4's for that

[@chrislane6417]

Ms. du Preez what are specifically your problems with Texas and the Deep South?

[@danielledupreez]

Texas has anti-LGBTQ curriculum laws (Mississippi does too, but it only pertains to sex ed), which remove the protections I have in California when it comes to talking about gay/trans rights with students. Kids these days have a lot of access to the internet, so they have more ability to learn about identity themselves, plus there is more acceptance now than when I was a kid. So, there are several kids identifying as LGBTQ in 5th grade currently. I can’t imagine teaching these students under curriculum laws that state I have to tell them “homosexuality is not a lifestyle supported by the public.” Also, anti-“critical race theory” in K-12 education is the latest FOX News talking point, and the pushback is strongest in conservative states. Compare how curricula in Texas address slavery with how curricula in California address slavery, and the difference is shocking. Some of the most meaningful conversations I’ve had with students have been around current events. For example, the Capitol Riots occurred last year while we were in school. I can’t imagine having that conversation in a place where “CRT” is banned. Finally, I think Texas’s move with the recent anti-abortion law is just one example of how the Texas legislature was willing to pass a law that has terrifying implications. It takes some clever and shameless legal minds to subvert the existing constitutional precedent by creating a law that allows private citizens to use the civil court system to enforce something that cannot be criminally enforced. Besides the issue of abortion, such tactics can be used to undermine other constitutional rights.

[@Squiderrant]

@@danielledupreez Thanks for the explanation, I was curious about this.

[@akshatdubey7904]

Hiii! You're awesome!

[@Squiderrant]

Yes! Another update. I can't imagine how challenging starting teaching over Zoom would have been - your first year is already hard enough. Props to you for making it work. I like what you said about making career decisions that align with your vision of who you aspire to grow into. I also relate to your personal academic experiences and I too have definitely taken for granted the ease with which I have gone through school and university. I'm keen for more updates and more of your insights into education and careers!

[@pandalauren5064]

very interesting. you should do a part 2 of this! in 720p :)

[@Dan-ud8hz]

Good teachers are heros, no doubt you'll change some lives for the better! 👍👍

[@reese6235]

hi ms. du preez you are my next teacher good luck with me! 💀(not for homeroom)

[@roosterroost715]

Me toooooooooooo

[@reese6235]

@@roosterroost715 who r u??

[@roosterroost715]

@@reese6235 Connor

[@roosterroost715]

But she is not your teacher

[@reese6235]

@@roosterroost715 that was 3 months ago before we knew clases

[@love4uux]

Hi Ms. du Preez I remember being in your class last year, I am currently in the BYU class, I understand virtual class was a horrible experience, it was weird and I had like anxiety and depression, you were the nicest teacher I ever had in my life, like being vegan and donate hair, but in person was kinda weird, and even more dramatic and changed a lot sense the classes you handled seem to be dramatic, I saw my class doing bad stuff and my friend from UW even told me that they saw others do that same thing too, you were very cool teacher even though its very hard working as one, I am surprised you still a teacher even though it was really annoying and handling tough classes.

[@P4tCakes]

HI

[@jessicake2833]

Hi

[@love4uux]

@@jessicake2833 hi

[@reese6235]

she might be my teacher next year she might be moving to my school so im glad that she’s nice :) (her names on the next year teacher list)

[@lynhdannguyenxuan1821]

Thank you for sharing! Looking forward to watching your next video!

[@linnazhu3083]

Hi Danielle! Sorry for posting here as this is probably not the most relevant comment, but I hope you see it. Thank you for your tips on the college essay process including getting over rejections and writing college essays, etc. I’m wondering if your college essay service would still be available this year, could you please let us know? Thank you!

[@macho_taco1308]

I typically dont commement but am curious about this; how far does the blame go, in you're opinion, for the educational system vs parenting when were talking about kids not being able to read. I think both definitely have a role to play, but from my experience going from a really low socio economic elementary school to a good private highschool, I always would notice that parenting had a huge part of it (which is not blaming parents, what can you do if you're working 2 jobs). Thats not to say that the school system is perfect, far from it, but sometimes I think the educational system has the undue burden having to be responsible for itself and lack of support at home. Lmk what you think, I've literally haven't stepped foot in an elementary in bear time so I'm curious.

[@lalitac]

Was waiting for your video since so long!

[@fpsgod05]

I can't believe you declined the job at amazon and went on to become some kind of teacher. Anyway its your choice who am I to comment. Stay safe.

[@Greeneggsandham123]

What was your last job before teaching. Since you don’t work there anymore, I’d be interested in where you worked and job duties.

[@rumiahamed8564]

Hey off the topic, Do you still provide sop correction service? I need your help.

[@godriceeichie]

Hey Danielle, please can you proofread my common app essay

[@adud6764]

is there a video on why you cut your hair?

[@Jump-n-smash]

I thought it was a boy?

[@adud6764]

@@Jump-n-smash Just check a couple videos back, she was absolutely gorgeous.

[@Jump-n-smash]

@@adud6764 Well, I’m not sure… I see an Adam’s apple, but whatever, who cares. i hope I’m not bringing further offense by using a wrong pronoun, but they is still a beautiful human inside and out. 🙂

[@reese6235]

im pretty sure her pronouns are she/her (she's my teacher)

[@ntcsie9530]

I hope to see you're beautiful long hair again. 😁

[@surennbatbayar1199]

hey did u stop editing essays? ;)

[@christopherreid3282]

What subject do you teach?

[@reese6235]

She teachers writing for her homeroom and then math and science for both 6th grade clases :) (she’s my teacher for science and math)

[@Angela-mu5by]

Is your dad south african? Your surname seems south african

[@aniaabasi3775]

You are gorgeous!¡°▪

[@zacharyertengrass892]

You say four times that you don't want to say the name of the organization and then you say the name of the organization. ;-)

[@danielledupreez]

I know 🤦🏻‍♀️ I didn’t notice until it was uploaded

[@zacharyertengrass892]

@@danielledupreez Why in the world would you have to hide the organization anyway? It makes no sense.

[@danielledupreez]

@@zacharyertengrass892 There are a number of non-profits in the US that receive AmeriCorps funding. For example, an organization that mobilizes teachers may partner with AmeriCorps to help teachers finance their credentialing education. AmeriCorps is a government agency, and there are legal prohibitions on what a person can and cannot do while affiliated with AmeriCorps or an AmeriCorps partner organization. So, I would be cautious to do or say anything political while at the same time identifying as a member an AmeriCorps program, however I am not wearing their logo so it would theoretically be fine. The law: www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/45/2520.65

[@zacharyertengrass892]

@@danielledupreez Presumably they WANT you to publicize their program so other people might join it... When will you get a credential? Or do you have it already?

[@deepitpatil]

like your new hair!

[@leoxu1299]

why are you a tomboy now?

[@-iIIiiiiiIiiiiIIIiiIi-]

That's so messed up man. Poor lady probably has cancer.

[@leoxu1299]

@@-iIIiiiiiIiiiiIIIiiIi- no she has the quantity of hair. Just shorter

[@reese6235]

@@-iIIiiiiiIiiiiIIIiiIi- she doesn't :) (one of my teachers)