I feel strongly called to serve others, and this is what led me to pursue a career in education. Teaching is a profession in which students’ needs come before one’s own, and it requires a selfless and dedicated individual. Many people have told me that I would make a good teacher, often asking which grade level I plan to teach. Although I am currently unsure which grade level I hope to teach, I have worked with students of all ages through serving at my church, shadowing several teachers, and volunteering with KLIFE, and I have loved every experience. I am eager to continue my education during the 2026–2027 school year as I further develop my ability to lead, serve, and love others. I believe I will make a great teacher because of my unwavering determination to succeed and my deep passion for making a difference in the lives of children. I look forward to serving my community and teaching students not only academically, but also through kindness, encouragement, and a positive attitude. I understand that many children face difficult circumstances, and I believe even small acts of kindness—such as a smile—can have a lasting impact. While teaching comes with challenges, showing students how to love and support others during hard times is essential for their future. This belief is deeply personal to me. As an educator, I recognize that I have the power to positively or negatively influence every child I interact with. One of the most heartwarming moments of my life that reminded me why I want to be a teacher was this summer when I had to say goodbye to the kids I served at my church. One of the girls I have watched grow from kindergarten to third grade began to cry because she was upset I was leaving. I had no idea I had made such an impact on her life. I want to make a positive impact on kids' lives just like hers, and just like my teachers did to me. That moment reflected the same love and encouragement my own teachers had shown me. My favorite teachers were those who consistently showed kindness while also challenging me to be my very best. They put their time and effort into helping me love school, ultimately helping me become a better student and a better person. When I shared my dislike for reading, my fourth-grade teacher pushed me to read more and challenged me to try a new genre of books, which led to my love of reading. When I expressed a dislike for math, my fifth- and seventh-grade teachers encouraged me to try my best and made math fun through real-life examples and projects. While many teachers influenced me, one teacher had the greatest impact on my life. Regarding both my career as an athlete and my career as a college student, she constantly showed me kindness and love. She tutored me in science and encouraged me to shoot more during basketball. The moment she affected me most was when she asked me what I wanted to do after high school. I told her I had thought about teaching, and she reinforced me by saying, “Good.” There are so many ways teachers have influenced my academic life and my personal life. Just as my teachers have impacted me, through dedication, compassion, and faith, I hope to create a classroom where every student feels valued, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential.

My name is Aletheia Lee, and I am a freshman at Southwest Baptist University, where I am pursuing a degree in elementary education while growing my faith in God. So far, this school year has been an incredible experience. I have had the opportunity to participate in many wonderful classes, my favorites being Foundations of Education and a leadership class where I, along with twenty other freshmen, are mentored by our university president. I have also been able to work a job on campus, join several clubs, and volunteer at an amazing organization called KLIFE, where I get to lead kids in small groups and fun activities, guiding them toward the Gospel. I feel strongly called to serve others, and this is what led me to pursue a career in education. Teaching is a profession in which students’ needs come before one’s own, and it requires a selfless and dedicated individual. Many people have told me that I would make a good teacher, often asking which grade level I plan to teach. Although I am currently unsure which grade level I hope to teach, I have worked with students of all ages through serving at my church, shadowing several teachers, and volunteering with KLIFE, and I have loved every experience. I am eager to continue my education during the 2026–2027 school year as I further develop my ability to lead, serve, and love others. I believe I will make a great teacher because of my unwavering determination to succeed and my deep passion for making a difference in the lives of children. I look forward to serving my community and teaching students not only academically, but also through kindness, encouragement, and a positive attitude. I understand that many children face difficult circumstances, and I believe even small acts of kindness—such as a smile—can have a lasting impact. While teaching comes with challenges, showing students how to love and support others during hard times is essential for their future. This belief is deeply personal to me. As an educator, I know that I influence every child I interact with, and it is up to me whether my impact will be positive or negative. One of the most heart-warming moments of my life that reminded me why I want to be a teacher was this summer when I had to say goodbye to the kids I served at my church. One of the girls I have watched grow from kindergarten to third grade began to cry because she was upset I was leaving. I had no idea I made such an impact on her life. I want to make a positive impact on kids' lives just like her, and just like my teachers did to me. The teachers who impacted me most were those who consistently showed kindness while also challenging me to be my very best. Their example inspires the kind of educator I strive to become. Through dedication, compassion, and faith, I hope to create a classroom where every student feels valued, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential.