I am at my best when I know I am making a difference in the lives of others. From a young age, that desire to help people has shaped who I am and influenced what I do. Over time, my passion for education grew, and I began to realize that I wanted a career where I could have a meaningful impact every day. Through my experiences, I discovered that special education is the way that combines my love for helping others with my dedication to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment. My first experience working with students with special needs began in middle school through the Peer Pals program at Weddington Middle School. It was there that I started building relationships with students and discovered how rewarding it felt to support them as they achieve their goals whether they were big or small. Since then, I have continued to seek out opportunities to grow in this field. Last spring, I took Teaching as a Profession classes at Weddington High School, where I worked in a Pre-K EC classroom at New Town Elementary assisting students with a variety of tasks. That experience confirmed my passion for early elementary special education. Last fall, I also had the opportunity to intern with a speech pathologist, working with students with a wide range of needs and growing their speech abilities. Additionally, I have been involved in the TTA program this year in Mrs. Waite’s classroom. Through her classroom I have met some of my best friends and learned from some of the best teachers in this field. Each day I walk into her classroom excited for the day ahead knowing whatever it may be will be amazing. Each of these experiences grew my love for special education, and every day I am reminded of the joy and positivity these students bring, constantly inspiring me and reinforcing why I have chosen this path. When I become a teacher, I want to create a classroom where every student feels valued, supported, and safe. I hope to build a community centered on encouragement, kindness, and celebrating each other’s successes. From my experiences in special education classrooms, I have learned that small, unexpected victories can be just as meaningful as major goals. Now, I want my classroom to be a place that recognizes and celebrates progress in all forms. No matter who my students are or where they are in their journey, I want them to feel proud of their growth and confident in their abilities. My biggest goal as a special education teacher is to be the strongest advocate and cheerleader for my students. I want to encourage and uplift them while making sure they know the importance of using their own voices. An educator's role isn't speaking for students, but instead amplifying what they have to say. I want to be a megaphone for my students. I want them to feel confident in expressing themselves and make sure that their voices are heard and respected. Through working with students with special needs, I have learned many valuable life lessons. I have developed a lot of patience and a deeper understanding of perseverance, as well as the importance of approaching challenges with a different perspective rather than giving up when things become difficult. These experiences have taught me to slow down, stay committed, and find new ways to support both myself and others when faced with obstacles. I am ready to dedicate my life to a profession that gives back to students but has also given so much to be as a future educator.