It wasn't until I read the readings for today that I realized there was a difference between my personal identity as a scientist vs my identity as a science teacher. I never really made a distinction between the two, I think because I never really viewed myself as a scientist. I've throughout my higher education career participated in science courses and took on a role similar to a science professional but identified myself more as a student. I think recently I've had this goal in my head to focus on becoming a TEACHER but not specifically a SCIENCE TEACHER. I understand now that my identity is largely reliant on where my focuses are at in that particular stage of my life. When I was an undergraduate, I solely identified myself as a student. Now that I am in a teacher education program, I solely identify myself as a teacher candidate. It might give the impression that I value being a teacher more than I value being a scientist, but I don't believe that is true. I think I value and enjoy both identities equally. However, I think I may need to work on focusing my energy in finding my identity as a science teacher, not just a scientist or not just a teacher.
