This year, I started volunteering at The Youth Empowerment Zone, and working with the kids that go there after school. I have had a lot of experience with kids. I was babysitting when I was twelve, I worked in a preschool, and work at an after school program at a local elementary school in Columbia, MO. But I was nervous about volunteering. I didn’t know if I would click with the kids. However, that's always my fear with new group of kids I work with. I wanted to be a positive role model in their lives and be someone they looked up to. I wanted to be that for them and I didn't know if I could fill that role.

Turns out I had nothing to worry about because the kids are amazing. I remember the first day I arrived there. I felt nervous and afraid as I sat there waiting for the kids to get off the bus and walk in the building. I greeted them as they put their backpacks on their hooks and sat on the floor. I was introduced to the kids and I immediately felt the love. They were so welcoming and friendly. I could tell they were excited about having new volunteers there to play with them. Needless to say, it was an amazing first day.

I look forward to working with those kids every week. I wish I had more time on my hands because if I did I would go there five days a week. I have a new perspective on life. These kids have taught me so much and I love being able to make an impact on their lives because they have already made such an impact on mine. Working with these kids reminds me why I chose teaching as my future profession. I want to be surrounded with that kind of energy daily. I want to be a role model for our future generation but more importantly, I want to be changed by our future generation. I want to learn from them because while we have a lot to offer them, they have so much love to give to us. We have so much to learn from them.