When I was young, I always wondered what my future career would be. My family would tell me to “be a lawyer or journalist!” because of their high salaries. Deep within, I sensed those specific careers weren’t my true calling. In my younger years, I possessed a sharp social consciousness recognizing teachers didn’t make a high salary like other popular professions but money didn’t deter my purpose to shape young. What matters most is waking up knowing you love what you do than having a career you dislike because it pays better. School was my sanctuary, where I felt safe and acknowledged. My teachers saw my potential first hand and they could see my growth and development. Children’s award-winning author and illustrator, Donald Crews once said “Teachers are the first people who can show confidence in children outside of family members—and the opinions of outsiders usually make a stronger impression than relatives.” In contrast to my parents who love me and supported me because of that, these educators pushed me academically. I had a history teacher in high school who saw my potential and knew my capabilities. My visions came to life because he would support them. With his assistance, I started two new high school clubs—The People of Color Student Union and Poetry Club. For students, these clubs are essential to connect with peers and share their emotions or experiences in a safe space created for them. Being a first generation student, my parents couldn’t provide me with the resources I needed to succeed. When I came to this realization—I understood that there are children that will be just like me, yearning for guidance they cannot receive at home. I can relate to feeling alone, not knowing where to start, and not wanting to seek aid in fear of seeming needy. As a black teacher I will provide a mirror for students. Growing up, I can barely count on one hand how many of my teachers looked like me. Representation in education is crucial and provides children with the motivation to succeed. As a child, seeing a black teacher, doctor, or lawyer allows you to envision yourself in any profession you deem possible. Students will look to me for support and what makes my support more impactful is my circumstances weren’t ideal— I didn’t come from a wealthy home with my future set up for me, I fought for my future by carving my own path from humble beginnings. By becoming an educator, I am resolved to empower and inspire the black youth to manifest the futures they envision. You have to create the change you want to see. I will lend an ear, hand and do everything in my power to ensure my students succeed.

A woman who’s helped me with my educational and professional goals is my mentor Kim Connolly. In my process she has been such a great person as far as helping me expand my network and motivating, and supporting me throughout my journey to become an educator. We speak weekly about different strategies and academic plans and formulate next steps. Kim is very important to my educational goals because she encourages me to persevere. My schedule has become filled because I work full-time while also attending class and it gets difficult sometimes. Since I am a first gen student, it is my obligation to do both as this is how I pay off my loans and pay for my tuition. Kim is also my friend and we can also share similar stories, and situations so it doesn’t feel solely like a professional relationship. She is like a sister to me and I appreciate every piece of advice she gives to me. When thinking of my future, Kim assures me that all my hard work will pay off. In these times, it is so refreshing and empowering to be supported by another woman because of gender inequality, we aren’t presented with the same opportunities as our male counterparts. Intersectionality is another big factor in my life which Kim and I also share because we are both women of color—she is Asian American and I am African American. Challenges often occur in life due to these differences but we persevere. In my academic and professional journey, I have embarked on a remarkable path— meeting not only my mentor but also my soul sister. My journey with her began through the introduction by my high school history teacher, Mr. Ikeda, who recognized the potential synergy between us. From our initial meeting, the energy was delightful and we could not stop talking or laughing. Our connection was instant and I knew this would be a friendship that would last a lifetime. Our similarities are what drive us to create a different narrative in our story. When I grew into adulthood, I didn’t have the proper guidance, let alone resources being a low-income minority, and everything I’ve earned I had to strive for. There have been many sleepless nights, packed schedules, and dark days but I open my eyes and keep going, no matter how hard it gets. Kim sees this determination in me and always makes sure to let me know that she is by far impressed and proud of me. It was evident that Kim's commitment to diversity and equity was significant—it was a guiding principle in her everyday actions. This has transformed my goal of focusing on one thing in education but to explore other opportunities in the education field. Kim demonstrated an ingrained ability to pinpoint and nurture my strengths throughout our mentorship. She tailored her guidance to align with my individual goals, offering incredible insights into the complexities of navigating a diverse professional world. Under her wing, I gained a deeper understanding of my career and a sense of clarity and confidence. Kim is compassionate, dependable and ambitious. She provided unwavering support during challenging times, fostering an environment where I felt empowered and encouraged to explore new opportunities. Her outstanding work-ethic speaks volumes about her dedication to creating positive change and inspires me to be a better me every day. In essence, I am deeply grateful for her mentorship, which has not only shaped my educational and professional goals but has also instilled in me a lifelong commitment to not just showing up but impacting those I encounter everyday.