As someone pursuing a career in education, I find meaning in my life through serving the next generation of change makers. The most influential teacher in my life taught me how to make mistakes. To fail, and to proceed. In my service, I try to spread this same message of self-acceptance and persistence to local youth. I am a volunteer tutor with weekly math and ESL tutoring sessions with an elementary school student. Reading and writing are difficult for her, despite having many thoughts to share. She often gave up easily or refused to try new things. As I got to know her, I learned about her passion for animals. Now, I'm guiding her to write stories about bunnies, her favorite animal, and encouraging her to persist despite her mistakes. I learned how to adapt my lessons and find new ways to teach when she didn’t absorb the concepts the first time, and to make learning fun. Most importantly, I try to implement what I learned from my fourth-grade teacher in the way I communicate with her and welcome her mistakes. I strive to demonstrate to her that mistakes and growth are permanently linked. Rather than feeling discouraged or afraid of failure, I have noticed how she has become more open to trying new things, which is when true learning happens. This summer, I worked with a special needs student at a volunteer theater summer camp. He required extra supervision and frequent breaks, and I became a constant support for him. I learned how to understand his cues to leave classes and minimize disruption. I also learned how to be firm when important boundaries are needed to keep him safe. I did my best to be there for the other students in my group as well. I clarified with them why the special needs student acted differently from them, and I encouraged them to be inclusive. However, I also acknowledged that they may feel frustrated when the student does not follow the rules, and that is okay. I noticed a gradual change in the way the other students acted towards him, from avoidance or confusion to tentative inclusion. By the end of camp, the student was participating in the musical numbers and sharing his interests with the other campers, and I realized how important joy is over tradition and order. All it took was some validation, honesty, and open communication to better the experience of everyone involved. As a teacher, I want to support my students with more than just their academics, but also their emotions and friendships, and guide their growth as human beings and the next generation of leaders. My world was changed by my teachers, and I can’t wait to do the same. My education will support me in making the world a better place, one child at a time.

The first day of fourth grade was more than just my first day of school. It was my teacher’s first day of teaching, and the day I realized that I wanted to be a teacher too. On that day, Mr. Emmett told us, “I’m just as nervous as you are, maybe even more”. A teacher had never been so honest with me before. As a child who was often overly worried, his vulnerability allowed me to see myself in him and opened the possibilities I saw for my future. His classroom became a home for me. He emphasized kindness and living with our emotions, which helped us grow a strong class community over the two years we spent together. I noticed how he was able to connect individually with all students, even the ones who disliked school. When the spring of 5th grade rolled around, I wasn’t ready for it to end. On the final night of our last overnight field trip together, Mr. Emmett prompted us to spend time reflecting on the beach. I looked around at my classmates and thought of all of the ways we had grown as individuals and all of the friendships we had built. I thought about how Mr. Emmett had valued each of us individually, no matter our differences. That night, we all cried together, Mr. Emmett included. Since elementary school, Mr. Emmett's lessons on growth mindsets, kindness, and the power of our voices have guided my middle and high school experiences. Since then, my goal has been to become a teacher like him. I hope to be there for every type of student, to foster connection, and to communicate with them as individuals with the same honesty he shared with us. I realized the unique influence teachers have on their students, and I believe this makes them among the most influential people shaping the future of the world. I use inspiration from my 4th-grade teacher in my math and ESL tutoring sessions with an elementary school student. Reading and writing are difficult for her, despite having many thoughts to share. She often gave up easily or refused to try new things. As I got to know her, I learned about her passion for animals. Now, I'm guiding her to write stories about bunnies, her favorite animal, and encouraging her to persist despite her mistakes. I learned how to adapt my lessons and find new ways to teach when she didn’t absorb the concepts the first time, and to make learning fun. Most importantly, I try to implement what I learned from my fourth-grade teacher in the way I communicate with her and welcome her mistakes. I strive to demonstrate to her that mistakes and growth are permanently linked. Rather than feeling discouraged or afraid of failure, I have noticed how she has become more open to trying new things, which is when true learning happens. I hope this mindset supports her in the future as she encounters new challenges. As a teacher, I want to support my students with more than just their academics, but also their emotions and friendships, and guide their growth as human beings and the next generation of leaders. My world was changed by my teachers, and I can’t wait to do the same.

My drive to become a teacher began on the first day of fourth grade. It was my teacher’s first day of teaching, and I remember him telling us, “I’m just as nervous as you are, maybe even more”. A teacher had never been so honest with me before. As a child who was often overly worried, his vulnerability allowed me to see myself in him and opened the possibilities I saw for my future. His classroom became a home for me. He emphasized kindness and living with our emotions, which helped us grow a strong class community over the two years we spent together. I noticed how he was able to connect with all students, even the ones who disliked school. When the spring of 5th grade rolled around, I wasn’t ready for it to end. On the final night of our last overnight field trip together, Mr. Emmett prompted us to spend time reflecting on the beach. I looked around at my classmates and thought of all of the ways we had grown as individuals and all of the friendships we had built. I thought about how Mr. Emmett had valued each of us individually, no matter our differences. That night, we all cried together, Mr. Emmett included. From that moment on, my goal has been to become a teacher like him. To be there for every type of student, to foster connection, and to communicate with them as individuals with the same honesty he shared with us. I realized the power teachers have to influence the lives of their students, encouraging them to be kind, persistent, and to fight for what they believe in. I believe that teachers are some of the most influential people in the future of the world. These ideas influence my math and ESL tutoring sessions with an elementary school student. Reading and writing are difficult for her, despite having many thoughts to share. She used to often give up easily or refuse to try new things. As I got to know her, I learned about her passion for animals. Now, I'm guiding her to write stories about bunnies, her favorite animal, and encouraging her to persist despite her mistakes. I learned how to adapt my lessons and find new ways to teach when she didn’t absorb the concepts the first time, and to make learning fun. Most importantly, I try to implement what I learned from my fourth-grade teacher in how I communicate with her and welcome her mistakes. I strive to demonstrate to her that mistakes and growth are permanently linked. Rather than feeling discouraged or afraid of failure, I have noticed how she has become more open to trying new things, which is when true learning happens. I hope this mindset remains with her in the future and encourages her to continue learning and growing. As a teacher, I want to support my students with more than just their academics, but also their emotions and friendships, and guide their growth as human beings and the next generation of leaders. My world was changed by my teachers, and I can’t wait to do the same.

I’ve always been fascinated by the power of language and communication, which is why I’ve always loved English classes. As a tool for telling stories, spreading information, and arguing for one’s beliefs, writing has the ability to convince and change the minds of people. In my opinion, few school subjects have the same real-world importance. In my junior year, I took American Literature and Writing Honors and the AP Language test. The class taught me how to communicate my ideas more effectively, and I noticed a significant improvement in my writing. I am now a tutor for the class. My favorite project was my 16-page research paper about the impacts of masculine ideals on society. I take pride in this project because I used my voice and the power of writing to comment on society in a meaningful way. My love for writing extends beyond English. I also love writing and speaking in Spanish. Communication through language is fundamental to human connection, so learning another language allows me to connect with more people in new ways. I’m taking AP Spanish this year, and I’m excited to continue to improve. As a teacher, my Spanish skills will support me in fostering relationships with students and their parents, regardless of English abilities. I’ve also helped share the gift of communication with an ESL student whom I tutor weekly. She loves to talk, but struggles to put her thoughts into English. Through hours of practice speaking and writing together, she has become a much stronger English speaker. More importantly, she has become more confident and outspoken. She now uses English as a tool to speak up for herself, which reminds me of how language is empowerment. In college, I want to major in Education and simultaneously continue my study of Spanish. This will allow me to share the power of writing with my students and teach them to be critical thinkers and communicators. I hope to support students in finding their own voices and using communication as a tool for empowerment, understanding, and empathy for a better future. Additionally, I hope to continue writing poetry and documenting my experiences as a teenager and young adult throughout college. While these writings may never see the light of day, they encapsulate my unique experiences as a transgender man and allow me to look back on parts of my life with clarity and a new perspective. I appreciate all of the power that writing has given me and others. I hope to contribute to a better future for all, one lesson or poem at a time.