Becoming a teacher has always been my lifelong dream, as far as I can remember. For my entire life, I have always been a curious being. My entire life, I have hungered to learn much more than what I already know. School was an outlet for me to expand my knowledge. The feeling I get in the classroom when I learn something new or finally catch on to something I struggled with. I saw the look of achievement on my teachers faces when the class understood something they were teaching. My passion for teaching runs so deep. I have always wanted to feel the way my teachers felt when the class understood something that they had been teaching, regardless of the length of time it took. I want to pursue teaching because I want to prepare the future of this world. I want to prepare future doctors, activists, leaders, lawyers, teachers, presidents, and much more. Or in the age group I want, in their eyes, future princesses, princes, superheroes, or mermaids. In pursuing a career in teaching, I will also be able to make a positive impact on the lives of young individuals and help shape them into confident, knowledgeable, and compassionate members of society. Additionally, I believe that by becoming a teacher, I can inspire a love for learning and encourage students to reach their full potential. I also want to be that person for my students. I have teachers who have impacted who I am today as a person and who have made pursuing a career in teaching an easy goal to continue to want to achieve. So, being that person for my students will allow me to pay it forward and make a difference in their lives, just as my teachers did for me. Teaching was never just a job I would have to get a check for; it was a calling that I felt deeply passionate about. In the end, teaching was always something I wanted to do, and I want to be the best teacher I can possibly be to my future students. I believe that education is a powerful tool that can shape the future of our society, and I am committed to instilling a love for learning in my students. I am dedicated to creating a positive and supportive learning environment where every student feels valued and inspired to reach their full potential.

My name is Azaria, and I am an elementary education major. I am the current president of the Education Club at my college. I became president of the club as a freshman in college, so I was the youngest leader of the group of students that joined the club. The students that joined the club were juniors and seniors at the time. As president of the education club, I am making it a mission to engage more students at the lower levels, like I did. I also have duties; I organize meetings and events and represent and showcase the club to new and incoming students, along with their parents, faculty, and staff. Outside of academics, I enjoy reading and writing books, creating art, singing and writing music, and adventure. I also enjoy exploring new places and trying out different cuisines. These hobbies allow me to unwind and tap into my creativity. I love to try new things, and I am always curious about things. I am the one to ask the question "why?" often to get a deeper dive and understanding. Pursuing a career in teaching has been my longest-standing goal, and it has been my goal since the first grade. I loved the idea of being the one who could shape the future minds of the world. I wanted to inspire and make a positive impact on young lives. As a future teacher, I could not only educate students on academic subjects but also foster their creativity and critical thinking skills. I believe that teaching is not just about imparting knowledge but also about instilling a love for learning and helping students discover their passions. I am excited to create a classroom environment where students feel safe to express themselves and take risks in their learning. Ultimately, my goal as a teacher is to empower my students to become lifelong learners who are confident in their abilities and eager to make a difference in the world. In the end, I hope to be the best teacher I can possibly be for my future students. I plan to achieve this by implementing various teaching strategies that cater to different learning styles and abilities. Additionally, I will continuously seek professional development opportunities to stay updated with the latest educational research and practices. By doing so, I can ensure that I am providing my students with the best possible education and support.

My name is Azaria, and I am an elementary education major. I am the current president of the Education Club at my college. I enjoy adventure, reading and writing books, and helping others, to name a few things. In my role as president of the Education Club, I organize events for not only education majors but for any students interested in taking a step away. I also volunteer at events to represent the club in front of new and current students as well as faculty and staff. The LGBTQ+ community impacts me because I am part of that community myself since I identify as bisexual. The community allowed me to figure out who I was without any judgement, and I actually didn't even need to label myself to be part of it. Being part of the LGBTQ+ community has given me a sense of belonging and acceptance, as I have found a supportive network of individuals who understand and celebrate my identity. It has also motivated me to advocate for inclusivity and equality within my education major, ensuring that all students feel safe and valued in the classroom. Since I was in the first grade, I knew that being a teacher was something I always wanted to be. I have stuck with that dream ever since. I chose to major in elementary education not only because it has been my dream since the first grade, but also because it is my dream to help others learn, to shape them for the future, and to let them know that they can be anything they want to be in this world, regardless of their circumstances. I believe that education is the key to unlocking endless possibilities for children, and as a teacher, I want to be the guiding force that empowers them to reach their full potential. Additionally, witnessing the growth and development of young minds brings me immense joy and fulfillment, which will make every day in the classroom a rewarding experience. Furthermore, being a teacher would allow me to make a positive impact on society by nurturing and inspiring the next generation of leaders, innovators, and change-makers. It will be a privilege to be able to shape young minds and instill in them the values of empathy, critical thinking, and resilience that will serve them throughout their lives. Ultimately, my passion for teaching stems from the belief that education has the power to transform lives and create a brighter future for all. In conclusion, my name is Azaria, and I am part of the LGBTQ+ community. I believe that diversity and inclusivity are essential in education, and I am committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for all students, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. By promoting acceptance and understanding, I hope to contribute to a more inclusive society where everyone feels valued and respected.

My career path leads me to become a teacher, and I specifically want to start on the elementary route. As teachers, we inspire the youth by just saying a simple word. The youth are like sponges, and they soak up everything. It is very important that we do our best to ensure that the impact we leave on them is positive. I plan to inspire the youth as a teacher by helping them create goals and dreams for the future. Helping them create future goals inspires them because it gives them a sense of purpose and direction in their lives. I also plan to inspire youth by providing them with a positive and engaging learning environment. Teachers play a big part in inspiring the youth because they have the opportunity to shape young minds and instill a love for learning. By creating a positive and engaging learning environment, I aim to spark curiosity and passion in my students, encouraging them to explore their interests and pursue their dreams. Additionally, I plan to inspire the youth in many other ways, such as by providing opportunities for hands-on learning and promoting critical thinking skills. I will also aim to empower students to take risks and embrace challenges, ultimately fostering their love for learning and helping them become lifelong learners. I will also be promoting the benefits of a growth mindset and encouraging collaboration among students. In conclusion, in my future career as a teacher, I will plan to inspire the youth and be the best possible teacher I can be and beyond.

My greatest achievement to date was during my second semester in college in the spring of 2023. I was a freshman at the time, and I was a member of my school's Education Major Club. I was the only freshman dedicated enough to come and be involved in a club full of junior and senior education majors. It was nerve-wracking at first, but I started to get more comfortable. The president at the time was about to graduate, and they needed someone else to become president of the club. I had no thought in my mind that I would even qualify for that position because of the number of upperclassmen in the club. I was chosen without a vote to become the new club president. It taught me that I am a great leader. It showed me that my teachers, club sponsors, and peers can also see how I can lead people in such a setting. I love when people can see things in me that I can't see in myself because it leaves room for growth. I can grow in my leadership skills even more now that I do have to lead, and I can also grow in my confidence because it helps you lead as well. As an aspiring elementary teacher, I hope to achieve the end result of successfully leading and teaching my future students. I want to transform the style and view of education in America. The education system needs a boost to get back on track and to put the education of the students first. I may even take my leadership skills and try for the Board of Education. There, I would change policies that help improve the schools and the quality of education each student receives as they come through. I want to also help with the funding of the school and push out newer materials for the students. Also, I want to help improve and decorate classrooms to make them comfortable and more attractive to spark interest in learning. I would love to improve the work life for the teachers because, even though the job may look or sound easy, it is not. Teachers are the most underappreciated, and they deserve to be treated better because without them, who would teach and equip the future of the world? In the end, becoming president of the education department and leading my peers has boosted my leadership skills. It also helped with the goals I want to achieve in the future, and with a little push, good things can come.

My name is Azaria, and I am currently a sophomore at Gordon State College. I am an elementary education major, and while in that major, I will also learn how to not only educate students without exceptionalities, but I will also learn how to better educate students who do have certain exceptionalities. I am the current president of the Education Club at my college. This is such an honor since I became president of the club as a freshman, when that role is typically held by an upperclassman. Which proves to me that I can not only lead a group of upperclassmen, but that I can lead my future students to great things. As a future teacher, I plan to establish healthy relationships with my students and ensure that they not only love to learn but are confident in it. I plan to positively impact the world by helping produce a better future for it. To accomplish that, you must teach the true people of the world the way to go. In today's society, we have lived through a pandemic, problems with the economy, and much more. The future of this world will some day be in the hands of the younger generations, but as teachers, we want to aid in shaping it for the task of leading the world. Presidents, doctors, lawyers, scientists, and many more unconventional career paths they decide to embark on need a teacher. As a future teacher, I will make sure that I help shape the minds of the students who will one day fill those roles in a positive manner. Without having an amazing teacher in my life, I am not sure what drive I would have to pursue the amazing goals I have in life. Having someone in your corner will impact you positively for the rest of your life, and I hope to one day accomplish the goal of being that someone for my future students that come and go in my classroom. I also don't want to limit it to just the classroom and implement these things outside of it because you never know who will need you beyond the classroom. In sum, in my career, my end goal is to positively impact the world by being the best teacher I can be and to shape the future of this world we live in today. The person that I am ensures that this goal will come to pass.

The dream version of myself is a teacher, a homeowner, a goal setter and goal finisher!

Education has always been important to me, even at my young age, and without it I do not know where I would be. I used education as a way to dream and go further in life. The moment when the light bulb clicked in my head was always the best feeling, especially in elementary school. I knew from that moment on that being in the education field as a teacher was something that I wanted. Now, I am an elementary education major, and it's teachers like the ones I had who made learning something I always wanted to do. Teachers like the ones I had made choosing a college major a piece of cake. In the second grade, I had a teacher named Mrs. Ross, and she was the sweetest woman I have ever met. Since I was a new student who moved to the area that school year, she took me under her wing. We had a writing presentation in class that we had to sit on this stool and read aloud while she recorded, with the entire class's eyes facing toward you. She reminded me that you can do it, and just think that no one else is in the class but us. I did that, and it was the first step to my becoming confident in presenting to crowds. With my future students, I plan to make them feel as comfortable as Mrs. Ross did for me. I want to ensure that my students know that I am on their team and that I am there for them no matter what. Kids need that, especially the age group I want to teach, because students are so vulnerable and they need to feel good in their learning environments. I plan to become that teacher that hopefully students come back and visit because that will let me know that my job as a teacher was fulfilled. Teachers are not just people who stand up and lecture all day; we are nurtures, future generation shapers, and much more. We help change the world and the people in it for the better. In sum, without Mrs. Ross, I do not know where my deep love for teaching would have started from. She helped me become super passionate about teaching and everything that deals with education. She helped inspire my career choice, and I am forever grateful for the things she has done for me.

Taylor Swift has many amazing albums, but choosing just one is difficult. My favorite song in the '1989' album is 'Shake It Off, because it reminds me that no matter what people say to you, do not let it hurt you. It inspires me to be myself, regardless of what the public has to say. I was bullied in the 6th grade for reasons I do not understand to this day. Revisiting Taylor Swift's '1989' album and listening to the song 'Shake it Off, it helped boost me back up to the person I once was, or better yet, make me into someone better. She reminds me that ' haters are going to hate, which is a line I use to this day to boost my confidence in the time we live in where social media can have a major impact on who you are. From me wanting to wear an outfit because I'm afraid to be judged to me posting a fun dance video on social media, I know the requirement was to only name one song, but I would love to go deeper into the album as well. As Pisces, we are really into music, and we are really big day dreamers.The song ' Wildest Dreams' is so amazing! It allows me to feel like I can escape for a while when I listen to the beat. This is so delicate, and the word kids use now is aesthetic. So I would describe her song as calm and aesthetically pleasing to the ears, heart, mind, and soul. Another song from that album is 'Blank Space', and that song is the best for me when I am getting ready for my day and I need a little push. I mainly listen to it when I brush my teeth so I can boost my energy. I believe that Taylor Swift writes a song for every mood, every occasion, and every journey that you embark on. From 'Shake It Off,' which helped me overcome the emotions of being bullied, to 'Wildest Dreams,' which helped me daydream, to 'Blank Space,' which helped me get ready for my day I know I mentioned how hard it would be to just select one song from Taylor Swift's album; that is how much of an impact her music can have on a person's life. Overall, Taylor Swift's music on her album '1989' will forever be one of the best and one of the most life-changing albums. Happy it won!

In a society like the world we live in today, education is far more critical than it ever has been. Giving students an equal opportunity to learn, grow, and understand the world around them takes a special kind of being. A being that goes above and beyond and takes the students' minds to different heights. So, the question of "Why do you want to be a teacher is quite simple to me"? I want to deliver the joy of learning to their minds. As a teacher, I can help teach future doctors who can find the cure for cancer, lawyers that can help strengthen their communities, construction workers who can build up their communities, presidents that can help lead this country, soldiers that will help protect their fellow people back home, and many more possible careers they want to embark on. I want to be one of the stepping stones to their success and if they need more than that I can help them build the entire foundation they need to go to the next level. Without hesitation, some may wonder where all of this love and ambition comes from as a future teacher. Well in the second grade, I had a very good teacher named Mrs. Ross. I just moved to a new school and it was a new experience for me. Throughout the year Mrs. Ross was by my side to help with everything I needed while still being an amazing teacher to her other students. It was the middle of the school year and we had a very big writing assignment. With that assignment, we had to write about the topic given and sit in front of the class. Mrs. Ross would record us while we were reading. I just remember telling Mrs. Ross that I was very scared to read in front of everyone and that I had a very bad stage fright. She politely encouraged me that it is okay and to pretend that it is just us in the classroom. So, I did just that and while she recorded me she would have a thumbs up waiting for me every time I lifted my eyes from my paper. From that moment on, her going the extra mile to ensure that I know I can do it successfully established my dream to become a teacher from that point and beyond. My dream is to be a third-grade teacher and to give them the same feeling I had. I want to ensure every student that enters my classroom leaves knowing that I put in the extra mile to help them be the best they can be just like Mrs. Ross guaranteed for me back in her second-grade classroom. In the end, becoming a teacher is the best journey, and knowing I will shape the future students of the world to be the best makes it worthwhile. Mrs. Ross going the extra mile for my success will continue to encourage me to want to go the extra mile for the future students of my classroom.

My ultimate goal after college is to make the world around me a better place. I will be graduating college with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, so my job will be to shape and educate the future generations of this world. I want to educate future doctors, lawyers, innovators, scientists, problem solvers, and many more beneficial careers and roles in this world. I want to improve the world by shaping the way we view the world. In today’s time, we are experiencing issues with climate change and it’s going to take a village to improve such an issue. So, I could shape the future students in the community into people who can tackle worldly problems like climate change, cancer, illness like Covid-19, and many more issues that we experience in our lifetime. My second goal is to create a club for children after school, so they can be in an engaging environment. This will give children the ability to engage and learn different skills that can benefit them in life. Also, so the students can benefit the future of the communities they will be living in. Clubs like the one I want to embark upon will change the outlook of the communities that it impacts. As a future teacher, I want to get my students involved in making our communities a great place to live in. I want to advocate for the issues in education and other major issues that impact the world on a day-to-day basis. As Marianne Williamson says, "In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart, there is the power to do it.” The community is also changing and there is always something to be done to improve it. In the education field, I was to change the schools in certain communities and give them access to better education or go into the schools physically. So, I can deliver a good education to the communities and that will help the future generation build a better community than the ones before them. Overall, the world and communities we live in should be important. As humans, we should want to maintain a healthy world and community for the next generation to take over. Without people driven to help make our communities better the world may not be the best place to be for us and the future.

Higher Education is important to me because it is the foundation of where I want to be in my life. I want to receive a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. I will be considered the first person in my house to have a Bachelor's Degree and it would mean the world to me to accomplish that. Having a higher education I will be able to go further and strive harder to be better. Imagine how many students' lives I will impact positively and how many future students I will get to develop into the future of the world. Having access to education will allow me to survive in today's world. The economy changes so fast and along with that jobs changes quickly too. Some jobs want you to have degrees and certificates and without higher education, you wouldn't be able to get certain jobs offered. As a future educator, I want to make sure that I am trained accordingly and equipped with the necessary tools to educate my future students. So, in the future, my students will be able to pursue higher education in this growing world. Since the world is always growing and becoming more advance with technology higher education can equip the world with tools to manage a world full of technology. Higher education is also important to me because it allows me to keep up with the changing economy and standard of living. By furthering my education, I will be able to get a good job that allows me to change the world and be able to survive while doing so. Many of those who came before me will be proud of my goal and drive to pursue a higher education because at one point in time, higher education or education in general was not always accessible to certain groups of people. So, for the generations before me to fight for the ability to recieve a higher education or an education in genral makes it very important to me to continue the legacy of pursing a higher education. Without a higher education where would the world be at this point in time. Overall, higher education is very important to me and extremely important for me to embark on the destinations life will take me. Whether its to change and educate the world to encouraging someone else about the important of receiving a higher education and the power you will have in your hands by pursing a higher education.

Growing up in a single-parent home comes with its battles. We have some good days and some are harder than others. My mother was the only parent in the house and not everything came easy for us. In the back of my mind, the worry was always present. Being in a single-parent home can be challenging because sometimes it causes you to be behind or without completely. Missing out on crucial parts of my life because the financial outlook didn't line up with the specific task or item. Also, coming from a single-parent household college debt was something I was expecting to have to experience because with both parents the income can be superior, but with just one we may lack in some areas. It taught me to want better and gain better from what my past looks like. It taught me how to be strong and to keep my head held high because it gets better. In my future career as a teacher, I plan to use what I learned in life on how to be strong to build up my students. I want to teach them that no matter what your past, present, and future may look like you can and will be successful. I am a living testimony that your circumstances don't determine your outcome. I also plan to help my students who are in the same boat as I was or in need of help in general to better help them succeed. I plan to advocate for single parents and commend them for their hard work because without my mother or a parent in general where would I have been to this day? It takes a strong person to raise kids on their own. I hope that my doing impacts the world and makes people like me feel like they are not alone and that someone out there understands and hears them. In the end, coming from a single-parent household doesn't determine who you are or where you're going to be. As a college student, being able to be in the position I am to further my education means everything to me despite my past. Scholarships give me peace of mind because they say, " I can help you" or " I will aid in your success". So, with this scholarship, I will have the help I need to pursue my dream with no more worries.

Children are the gateway to the future and they come into the world so unprepared for what is to come before them. As an educator, your job is not only to educate them on the curriculum, but your job is to nurture and mold their minds for the world upon them. Early childhood education is so important to me because children are so special, their minds are so beautiful and pure. So, to be a part of the growth of their minds is an amazing sight to encounter. I remember being in a classroom and having that one teacher who took her time on me. She prepared me for real life and what she did for me will be carried in my mind forever. I made a vow to give every child, every student an opportunity to feel that same feeling. Her name is Mrs. Ross, and she was my second-grade teacher. I struggled with speaking in front of others in the class. She coached and coached me until we had a project where she recorded us presenting a story to the class. I was nervous, but she ensured me that everything will go well. I presented my story and later that week she presented the videos to the entire class. I will never forget my face and everyone else's face that lit up because of how confident I was. I also will never forget the feeling and that is why I am so passionate about early childhood education. Every child deserves to understand that someone is there to guide them along their journey in life. With that, we can shape future career holders, critical thinkers, problem solvers, and much more in this world so it can flourish. I remember being in my Early Childhood Education class in high school and being with the future generation showed me how important they are. With good passionate teachers, we can shape them into amazing beings. As a college student, I have a very influential professor named Dr. Higgins. She teaches my education class and she reminds me every day about the importance of passionate educators. A lot of people may have different opinions about educators, but with the most dedicated ones, we can make the world go round. To be responsible for that will make anyone in the world feel so passionate about helping, nurturing, and guiding children. In the end, early childhood education will always have a place in the front of my heart. To be in college, to become a part of it means everything to me and the little me who always wanted this dream. Receiving this scholarship would solidify my dreams and aspirations of becoming an educator.

The world has evolved in interesting ways. Some ways never imagined by the human mind. The human mind can be shaped in marvelous ways. My career choice as an elementary school teacher will help shape the mind of the future children. The positive impact I will make as soon as sure that my students will make the world a better place and shift the world to new heights. I plan to shape better doctors, lawyers, author, scientist, and much more. With COVID-19 being in the world now, I want to prepare minds to have a plan. I want school to be looked at as the place to be and I want students to have the desire to learn. A positive impact on my students to produce better performance in the classroom. I could also help provide a stable classroom environment and help to give them a positive mental health state. To better help others know how I came up with such a good positive impact in my career is simply by describing my second grade teacher. Mrs. Ross was my second grade teacher and I was just moving to the school district at the time I was placed in her class. I will never forget one of our assignments where she had the entire class write an essay or a story to present to the class. I don’t remember exactly what I wrote about, but I do remember the anxiety that I had when it was my turn and she simply ensured me that it’s OK and all you have to do was look at the camera and I’m gonna record you so you can see your progress. From that recording on, it has shaped me to where I can get in front of a classroom present something so simple or so hard. Without her helping me develop that public speaking skill so young I probably would still be struggling with it to this day. She inspires me to want to create such a huge impact on the world through my career as she did. I believe teaching is one of those career that are overlooked on how big of an impact it can actually make upon the world and how it can shape it in such a way that sometimes no other career can. To sum this all up, the positive impact on the world I want to have as a teacher is to prepare our future for the future.

Growing up with a single mother was magical, as my younger self would've described it. As I got older, I started to wonder why I was only gifted one parent. She made everything look easy until behind closed doors. I never saw what tears and pain showed on the other side. Don't get me wrong having a single parent can be amazing. The experience impacts me daily to appreciate the little things as they equal big things. I am a high-school graduate in the class of 2022 going into my freshman year of college this fall and my mother is going above and beyond to make me once again forget what a single parent is. My mom inspires me so much because no matter what is strong in her way in life she finds a way. She shows me daily how strong she is, how to make something out of nothing, and to just be grateful and happy with life. Without my mother where would I be and where would my journey take me. If I could give everyone a mom like mine, the world would be a place of happiness and internal love. The older I get the more I learn about what my mother does for the better. I am not saying that having single parents it's something that everybody should have both the people who have it can experience some of the best journeys in life. Having a single parent allowed me to learn from my mother and become a mommy's girl. Seeing her display strength throughout the years makes me want to be like her but every time I mention that to her she tells me to be better than me and I simply tell her that there is nothing in this world better than you, better than what you've given me in life, and better than what you've shown me in life. I want to leave everybody with this. Never be ashamed of having a single parent. Your life will be the same if not better and they're trying the best that they can. We don't know what they're going through exactly we don't know how they're making things possible, but they are trying to put to feet four shoes. From the outside looking in it's impossible, but they make the impossible look possible. So if you have a single parent tell them that you appreciate everything that they have done for you.

Teaching has always been a passion of mine since the second grade. As I get older, my mission is to teacher in public schools to ensure that students get the best possible experience and education. As a senior in public school, I wish I’ve had more passionate teachers and not teacher who are just “doing their jobs”. I want to shape the minds of the future generations to come. Especially minorities who don’t get the opportunity to experience amazing education. I want to expand the public school system and shape the way we teach students. Public schools lose the engagement of students because sometimes they fail to learn about their students and their interest, so they can better assist and teach them. Public schools should cater to different learning styles and formulate different strategies to better educate students. People ask me all the time why I want to be an educator? I love kids and I always loved when my 2nd grade teacher would go above and beyond for us. She helped me overcome a lot of hurdles that no other teacher would and could. She ensured everyone got it and understood. She took the ‘No Child Left Behind’ very seriously and ensured that we were given the proper educational experience. Everyday I research something new and prepare myself for the classroom. Some people say to slow down and just wait until you actually become a teacher. I simply respond and say “ Why would I wait when I can prepare myself to be the best possible teacher in the world for my future students to come”. I work hard everyday so when I tell my students anything is possible I have evidence to show them. Passionate isn’t even the best word to describe my love and desire to be a teacher in the public school system. My current teachers told me that education is the best position for me to be in based on who I am as a person. I carry that with me everyday and I strive to demonstrate hard work and display my love for students, learning, and the public school education system. I have actually taken advantage of my schools dual enrollment program and I am current in route to my elementary education degree and it makes me feel happy as I get closer and closer to my passion. I believe that I will shape future passionate educators and change the way of public schools.

Mental health is one of the most important topics that’s should be discussed. Generations struggle with the conversation of mental health because some aren’t taught how to handle it. My experience with it was hard because I felt so trapped for so long and there is so much my mother and my counselor could do. I struggled with depression and it made me want to stay in my room which affected my motivation and pushed a lot of my goals back from completion. It affected my relationships with my friends because I was always down and that can be draining for some people. I know it affected my mother because I feel that she didn’t know what to do. My depression made me feel that the world was not a happy place for me and that I didn’t understand. I looked at the world as negative and it took me focusing on myself to learn to overcome my mental health problems. I wouldn’t changed that I was in a depression hole because it helped shape me into a strong person who can help people overcome their mental problems they may have. My family and friends have noticed a change and growth in terms of my mental health.

Practicing self-care has positively affected my physical, mental, and emotional health. Without self-care and a routine, I would be all over the place and I wouldn't be 100 percent put together. Having a self-care routine has helped me during the pandemic especially because when it first started and we were on a lockdown I was around 150-160 lbs and during the lockdown, I reached 180 lbs and that was so embarrassing to me because I have never let myself go that badly. It would be days where I wouldn't even comb my hair and I would just suit for hoodies and sweats. That shouldn't always be a go-to outfit in my case. My skin also started to decline and I had some bad discoloration on my face and I was just letting myself go as a whole. Once, I started to develop a routine and the pandemic started to get somewhat better and the lockdown opened up and we got back to normal. Life has been good and my weight is now back in its normal 150-160 lbs range, my skin has changed back to its normal state if not better, and my choice of clothes and my hair has been better. Without a stable self-care routine, I wouldn't be in a good state of mind.

Mental illness is a complex dynamic and it comes with many different obstacles. My mental illness started early in my life, but I identified I had a mental illness in middle school. When people hear about mental illness they run away from it because of the word illness. Having mild depression isn’t a death sentence. At times, I’ve felt that it was and I felt like I was sinking down a bottomless pit because of it. Now, that I am a high school senior I have been doing really well in terms of it. I have sudden flare-ups of depression occasionally, but I have come up with various solutions to help my health. My mental illness has helped me shape my decisions and to take on new strategies like taking my time on my choice, taking deep breaths before I have outbursts, and to allow myself an opportunity to feel. A negative belief that my mental health has given me at times was that suicide was the only option I have, but I have healed from that and I haven’t had any feelings that suicide is the only option in a long time. It has allowed me to stop and think which allowed me to appreciate life and the things it has given me. Depression has also influenced my relationships. I have had friends come and go which is really hard on me because I am a very social person and communication helps fuel me throughout the day. Depression can get me in certain moods where the walls are caving in and being alone is the only solution. Depression has also affected my career choice because I want to be an elementary school teacher and I do think about if I have a depression episode it will affect my job duties. That is something I would never want to happen because no one should experience depression and it shouldn't interfere with your job. When you say you have depression the first instinct for people is to suggest counseling. I took up that suggestion, but counseling didn’t work for me. My counselor actually stopped contacting me after a while. I want to believe she relocated and life happened. It wasn’t really helping me because after each session I felt the exact same way, and I mean I felt 2% better after each time to give some credit. Once I stopped doing counseling, it was up to me to heal myself and to find a solution for my mental illness. I have helped myself tremendously. After healing and taking the time to focus on myself and come up with ways to help myself. I can help others and give them the opportunity to live. Some people just need the chance to talk to someone and to open up. Once they understand that they have been heard then they will be able to answer questions like the one this essay focuses on. We could save a lot of lives if we take the time to help others. Whoever reads this, you are loved, you matter, and your life is valued. You deserve to live and take the time to experience life and see what it actually has to offer.

Do you know the saying when life gives you lemons make lemonade? Well, life gave me a voice and with my voice, I want to use it to teach young boys and girls. I want to give them a portal for education. I want to give them both sides of education and bringing more of the African American History to all of my students and teach them about acceptance and equality. I want everyone to remember me as Azaria Josey, that one teacher who made a change to the world. Somethings about me is that I love education and I love to learn about the history behind the world, especially the history behind my race. I also have many hobbies like baking, cooking, and I'm starting to get into photography. With my knowledge, I can carry the world to new heights and hopefully bring the world to peace. I want to be able to inspire someone to achieve their goals and dream. I want to start a business with my education and help change someone's life. First, before all of my dreams and goals can be completed, we have to identify the issues at hand and come up with multiple plans to address those issues. One of the most powerful tools that can help free the world is education. You can accomplish anything like changing the world with education. That is why it is my all-time goal to spread my educational knowledge among the newer generation to prepare them for the world at hand rather than prepare them for just reading or just writing. Educators in the school systems lose opportunities to display what they know among students while we are in the school building. Police Brutality is a major issue going on in the world. If we teach the children how to be respectful and how to be safe more issues like this will not occur. School is where kids spend most of their time and life. If you educate them on things like Racism and other traumatic issues then they could possibly learn and understand that things like this are wrong and shouldn't be happening. That's another way I can use my voice and my education to change the world. If more voices are heard and more people use their education to make the world a better place then the world could finally be at peace. In conclusion, I want to say that once again that Education is the key to success and is a powerful tool. Everyone has a right to one and the way you use it to change the world is more powerful than any force put against you. I want everyone reading this to know that your education is something no one can take away from you and it's something you can give, distribute, and enforce. Remember the world changes but the only way is if you start within yourself. Thank you all for taking the time and effort to read and understand my essay. I hope you all stay blessed and remember that your education can change the world.