Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of being a teacher. I grew up in a family where education was a familiar career. My grandpa was a teacher and a principal, my aunt was a teacher and my mother was a kindergarten teacher. It was something that was familiar to me but I always found myself wanting to be the teacher while I was the student....oops! For the longest time, I thought it was something I wanted to do because I spent almost everyday in a classroom, and it was a common career in my family. It was something within my comfort zone. As I started to take classes about working with kids and had multiple jobs that involved me working with kids; I knew my passion was education.

Being a teacher is so much more than standing in front of a class and explaining to children how to solve a math problem. Being a teacher is also helping children understand their value and importance in the world. Children spend so much time in a classroom, they need to learn more than just academics. Of course, the academic part of education is extremely important for students, but I believe there are other things that need to be accomplished during a child's academic career. For many children school is a safe place. Some children come from backgrounds where there is a lot of uncertainty and insecurity. I want to be a teacher that students feel comfortable approaching and talking to about things that they need. I also want to be a teacher that makes sure that all students get the support that they need to be successful in their academic career, and beyond.

I was lucky enough to have some of the most amazing teachers during my academic career. Since I knew I wanted to be a teacher before I even went to kindergarten, I've been making note of things that my teachers have done. The teachers that I had made sure that I knew that I could be successful. I was a student who in first grade needed Title 1 services. I was so far behind academically that my teacher made some suggestions to my parents. No parent wants to hear that their child needs to have some testing done, but my parents did it. I was diagnosed with ADHD, Oppositional Behavior and anxiety during first grade. My parents didn't just give up here. They didn't say, "My poor child isn't going to have success". They got me the help and resources that I needed. I was put on medicine that helped me focus. I worked with a vision therapist who helped me improve my comprehension, I went to a counselor to talk about the things that made me anxious, and I had a supportive family who motivated me through the way. If it wasn't for my first-grade teacher, Ms. Pugh, I would not have had the academic success that I have had in my life. It was this kind of success that has motivated me to want to become a teacher. I want to be able to make a difference in a child's life. To make sure they get the resources and help that they need to be successful in school and life, just like my teachers did for me. Students need someone who can be on their side.

I have had so many people ask me, "Why do you want to be a teacher? You are going to be poor for the rest of your life". There is so much more to life than being rich. I would rather be in a career that makes me happy for the rest of my life than work a career that makes me rich. As a future education major, I'm taking responsibility for the next generation of children. These children will know that regardless of what background they are from; they are safe in my classroom. I don't have the power or the resources to change every child's life outside of school, but I do have the power to make sure they get the education that they need. I have the power to make sure these students are reminded of their importance in the world. I want to return the favor that many amazing teachers did for me; be a teacher that unconditionally didn't give up. I know that I'm a person who can help others and that's what my goal is in life. To give back in every way possible by sharing my resources with others. I'm in it for the outcome, not for the income.