Golf, to me, started as a casual pastime but quickly became something much more meaningful, and, at times, hilariously competitive. What I love most about golf is that it offers an escape. The moment I step onto the course, everything else fades into the background. It’s just me, the ball, and my ongoing effort to convince myself that this next shot will definitely be the perfect one. Sometimes it is. Most times it builds character. Golf has taught me lessons that go far beyond the game itself. It has shown me the value of patience, precision, and focus in a way that no classroom ever could. You can’t rush a good swing, and you definitely can’t argue with where the ball lands. Every shot demands your full attention, and every mistake forces you to reset and try again. Over time, I’ve learned to embrace that process. Instead of getting frustrated, I’ve started to appreciate the challenge, because when you finally hit that one clean shot, it makes all the others worth it. Of course, my journey as a golfer hasn’t been without its challenges, especially as a female in a sport that is often male-dominated. There’s an unspoken pressure to prove yourself, to show that you belong just as much as anyone else on the course. But if I’m being completely honest, my biggest challenge hasn’t been the sport itself, it’s been my brother. From the very beginning, our matches were less about casual fun and more about sibling rivalry at its finest. He had the confidence, the commentary, and, unfortunately, the early winning streak. For a while, I was stuck in a cycle of “almost” victories, close enough to be frustrating, but not quite enough to claim bragging rights. And if you have siblings, you know that bragging rights are everything. But here’s where golf really worked its magic. Instead of giving up, I got better. I focused more, practiced more, and learned to stay calm under pressure. I stopped trying to out-power him and started outplaying him. Slowly but surely, those “almost” wins turned into actual wins. And let me tell you, there is no sweeter feeling than finally beating your brother at a game he thought he had mastered. It wasn’t just about the score, it was about proving to myself that persistence pays off. Now, those matches are still competitive, but they’re also something I genuinely look forward to. Golf has given me not only a sense of personal growth but also a way to connect, compete, and laugh (especially when one of us completely misses an easy putt). At the end of the day, golf is more than just a sport to me. It’s an escape, a challenge, and a source of joy all at once. It has taught me to be patient with myself, to stay focused, and to find humor in imperfection. And most importantly, it has shown me that with enough determination, and maybe a little sibling rivalry, you can overcome just about anything.

Pursuing higher education is important because it opens doors not only to career opportunities, but also to personal growth, purpose, and the ability to make a meaningful impact on others. For me, higher education represents more than earning a degree, it represents a commitment to building a future where I can support, guide, and inspire the next generation of students. My path toward a major in education did not begin with a lifelong plan to become a teacher. In fact, it started with something much more practical. I took a job as a paraprofessional at the same middle school I once attended simply because it was close to home and I needed a way to help support my family financially. At the time, it felt like just a convenient job. It was something temporary that would help me get by while I figured out my next steps. However, that experience quickly became something much more meaningful than I ever expected. Working in the classroom, especially with students who needed additional support, completely changed my perspective. I found myself building connections with students, helping them understand material in ways that made sense to them, and celebrating even their smallest successes. What I thought would be “just a job” turned into something I genuinely looked forward to every day. One of the most impactful parts of my experience has been working with students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Supporting these students requires patience, creativity, and a willingness to see the world from different perspectives. I learned how important it is to adapt teaching styles, use visual supports, and create a structured environment where every student feels safe and capable. Over time, I realized that I wasn’t just helping students learn, I was learning from them as well. They taught me resilience, empathy, and the importance of meeting people where they are. That is when everything shifted for me. I began to understand that education is not just about delivering content. It's about building relationships, creating opportunities, and shaping confidence. I fell in love with the process of helping students grow, both academically and personally. It became clear that this was not something I wanted to walk away from, it was something I wanted to fully commit to. Pursuing higher education is essential for me because it will give me the knowledge, skills, and qualifications to become the educator my students deserve. It will allow me to deepen my understanding of teaching strategies, child development, and inclusive practices so I can better support diverse learners. More importantly, it will give me the tools to create classrooms where all students, regardless of their background or abilities, feel seen, supported, and capable of success. Looking back, what started as a simple job driven by necessity turned into a passion that has shaped my future. I can no longer imagine a life where I am not working with students, helping them learn, and being a positive presence in their lives. Higher education is the next step in that journey, and it is one I am motivated and excited to pursue.