My experience with Special Education has been an integral part of my growth and the driving force behind my decision to pursue college. Throughout my academic career, I have faced significant challenges due to my dyslexia and ADHD. These learning differences often made me feel behind my peers and less capable of succeeding in school. However, my Special Education program has been a crucial support system that has not only helped me overcome these obstacles but also inspired me to strive for more in my academic and personal life. Before I started receiving Special Education services, I struggled deeply with reading, writing, and focusing. I would sit in class, trying to keep up with my classmates, but it often felt like I was fighting an uphill battle. I couldn’t understand why my brain worked differently, and I became frustrated by the way things seemed to come so easily to others. Teachers and peers didn’t always understand the challenges I faced, and this left me feeling isolated and unsure of my potential. However, when I started working with my Special Education team, everything began to change. The support I received in the Special Education program helped me develop strategies that catered to my specific learning needs. Teachers and specialists worked with me to create individualized learning plans, using tools and techniques that helped me manage my ADHD and dyslexia. For instance, they introduced me to audiobooks and speech-to-text software, which allowed me to access information more easily and allowed me to focus better. These tools didn’t just help me keep up in class—they helped me feel confident that I could succeed, despite my challenges. The key element that set my Special Education program apart, however, was the way it focused on building my confidence and self-advocacy skills. I was taught to recognize my strengths and use them to my advantage. This was a game changer for me. Instead of focusing on what I couldn’t do, I began to appreciate what I could do. I was encouraged to ask for help when I needed it and to advocate for the resources I required to succeed. This mindset shift was pivotal in transforming how I approached school and, more broadly, how I approached life. Over time, I began to see myself as capable, determined, and resilient. I stopped comparing myself to others and started measuring my progress based on my own goals. It was through the Special Education program that I learned the importance of perseverance and the power of embracing my unique learning style. These lessons helped me gain the confidence I needed to aim higher—specifically, to pursue a college education. The challenges I faced growing up have also played a significant role in shaping who I am today and in motivating me to continue pushing forward, both academically and personally. My learning difficulties taught me to be persistent. Every time I encountered a new challenge—whether it was a difficult assignment or a setback in a class—I had to find new ways to approach the problem. Over the years, this process taught me to be resourceful and to never give up, even when things were tough. These qualities have helped me not only in school but in life. My experience with difficulty has also taught me the value of hard work and determination. When I struggled in class, I had to put in extra effort to keep up with my peers. I learned how to manage my time effectively, seek out resources when necessary, and develop a growth mindset. Instead of being discouraged by setbacks, I learned to view them as opportunities to learn and grow. I also came to understand the importance of asking for help when I needed it. I realized that struggling doesn’t mean I’m failing; it simply means I’m learning. The ability to ask for help, whether from a teacher, tutor, or classmate, was a huge turning point for me. I began to see that asking for assistance wasn’t a sign of weakness—it was a sign of strength and self-awareness. This lesson has been crucial in preparing me for college. In the future, I know that I will need to continue advocating for myself and seeking out the resources I need to succeed. My struggles have not only shaped my personal growth, but they’ve also inspired my academic interests. I’ve become passionate about economics and the ways in which different systems—whether educational, social, or economic—impact individuals, particularly those who face challenges similar to mine. I want to use my education to help others who are often overlooked or misunderstood, just as I once was. The Special Education program has inspired me to pursue higher education, not only for my own personal growth but to use my experiences to make a difference in the world. In conclusion, my time in Special Education has been transformative. It taught me how to work with my learning differences, gave me the tools to succeed, and instilled in me the confidence to pursue my dreams. It also showed me the importance of perseverance and hard work, lessons that have been essential in shaping who I am today. Without the support I received, I’m not sure I would have the courage to pursue college, but thanks to that foundation, I now see a future full of possibilities. My experience with challenges has only made me more determined to succeed and use my story to help others do the same.

One teacher who has had a profound impact on my life is Mr. Waldorph, my learning skills teacher. Before I met him, I always felt like I was falling short compared to my peers. I have dyslexia and ADHD, which made school feel like an uphill battle. I struggled with reading, writing, and staying focused, often being the last one to finish assignments or tests. I became embarrassed and self-conscious, and over time, I started believing the negative things others said about me—that I wasn’t as smart or capable as everyone else. It was hard not to internalize those messages. When I entered Mr. Waldorph’s class, I didn’t expect much to change. I had been through so many years of struggling and feeling like I was always behind. But from the moment I met him, everything started to shift. He didn’t see my learning differences as something that defined me, but rather as part of what made me unique. He treated me with respect, and more than that, he believed in me in a way no one else had before. Instead of focusing on my weaknesses, he helped me leverage my strengths. In his class, I began to feel seen. Mr. Waldorph taught me practical strategies to improve my focus, organization, and study habits. Instead of forcing me to fit into a traditional learning mold, he encouraged me to find methods that worked for me. He introduced tools like mind maps, audiobooks, and extra time on assignments, which helped me manage my ADHD and dyslexia. But what made him stand out was his ability to build my confidence. He reminded me constantly that learning differently didn’t mean I was failing—it just meant I was approaching things in a unique way. What I loved most about Mr. Waldorph was his emphasis on life skills as much as academic skills. He encouraged me to ask questions, advocate for myself, and never be afraid to ask for help. He showed me that struggling wasn’t a sign of failure but a sign of resilience. The ability to keep going, even when things got tough, was what truly mattered. He helped me believe that I could succeed, despite my learning differences. Thanks to his support, I started to thrive not just academically, but personally. I began to see my dyslexia and ADHD not as barriers but as things that made me more determined and creative. I stopped comparing myself to others and began focusing on my own progress. He taught me that everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, and that the key is to keep moving forward and work with what you have. Before meeting Mr. Waldorph, the idea of going to college felt out of reach. I doubted myself and didn’t believe I was capable of succeeding at that level. But through his guidance, I learned to trust my abilities and push past my self-doubt. He gave me the tools, mindset, and confidence to pursue my future without letting my learning differences hold me back. I’ll never forget the lessons he taught me, both inside and outside the classroom. Because of him, I’ve become a more self-assured person, excited about my future. Mr. Waldorph didn’t just teach me how to be a better student—he taught me how to be a stronger, more confident person. His belief in me was the turning point I needed, and it’s because of him that I’m now ready to take on the challenges of college and beyond.

Growing up with dyslexia and ADHD has definitely made school harder for me than it is for most people. I’ve always had to try twice as hard just to keep up, and for a long time, it felt like no one really understood what I was going through. People—especially my peers—would laugh at me or make comments about how I wasn’t as smart as everyone else. I’d be the last one to finish tests, or I’d have to ask for help, and instead of being patient or kind, a lot of people just saw me as different in a negative way. It hurt. And for a while, I started to believe what they were saying. But deep down, I knew that just because I learned differently didn’t mean I wasn’t capable. Eventually, all that judgment started pushing me instead of holding me back. I wanted to prove them wrong—not just to show them that I could succeed, but to show myself that I’m more than the labels people have tried to give me. Living with learning differences has taught me how to keep going, even when things are hard. I’ve had to learn how to advocate for myself, manage my time better, and find ways to stay focused. Those aren’t just school skills—they’re life skills. They’ve made me stronger, more independent, and more determined to succeed in college and in life. Getting into college isn’t just something I want to do—it’s something I need to do, to prove to myself that I’m capable and worthy of the future I’m dreaming about. In college, I plan to study economics. It’s a subject that really fascinates me because it’s not just about numbers and money—it’s about how the world works. Economics is behind so many of the decisions that affect people’s lives, from jobs and education to healthcare and poverty. I want to understand those systems and learn how to change them for the better. I think studying economics can give me the tools to actually make a difference in the world. I’ve always been passionate about helping others. Since 2019, I’ve been part of the National Charity League, where I’ve had the chance to volunteer with a bunch of different organizations. It’s honestly been one of the best parts of my high school experience. Through that work, I’ve met so many people from different backgrounds, and it really opened my eyes to the struggles so many face—struggles that are often invisible to others. I’ve learned the importance of empathy, compassion, and showing up for people in meaningful ways. After college, I want to keep working with nonprofits and global organizations that focus on equity and opportunity. I want people—no matter where they’re from or what they’re going through—to feel seen, heard, and supported. I believe that economics can be a powerful way to create fairness and positive change in the world. Whether that’s through policy, education, or philanthropy, I want to be part of something bigger than myself. Honestly, I know my path hasn’t been easy. But I’m proud of how far I’ve come. I’ve learned that success doesn’t always look the same for everyone, and that’s okay. I’m ready to take the next step—not just for the people who doubted me, but for me. Because I deserve this chance, and I’m going to make the most of it.