In May of 2021, I decided to return to college to become a teacher. One morning my husband and I were talking about the job he would have that summer, which was teaching an online class at a local college, and all the stress and tasks that went with it. I remember feeling envious of such a job, wishing I could help others in a similar capacity. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the job I had and still have, which is a telecommunications relay assistant for the deaf and speech impaired. Soon afterward, a great idea came to me: I could return to school to become either an elementary or special education teacher. I thought of all the experiences I had at that point that were connected to being a teacher, experiences I enjoyed far more than my previous job of paralegal-spearheading, promoting, and teaching a program at my home church which caters to the disabled community, teaching Sunday school numerous years, and babysitting. You may be curious as to why I pursued the legal field in the first place. It was because I have always believed in justice, law and order. But I believe I had an epiphany once I decided to return to school. I feel teaching is what I was truly destined to do. And since I have always loved to help others, a love of law and order would continue to serve me well. Once I become a teacher, my primary goal is to make a difference in the lives of children, especially children with special needs. I want to help build them up so they can reach their fullest potential. I also have a soft spot in my heart for special education. Because of my shyness, I was classified as a child with special needs while growing up, so I spent sufficient time with kids suffering from Down’s Syndrome or cerebral palsy. I observed both them and their teachers often. Sometimes, the teachers were not so kind. I wish to learn to be the positive role model these children never had. And I’m certain my characteristics of patience, perseverance, and compassion would serve me well in this capacity. I have striven to garner as much experience in the teaching industry as possible. I tutored children with immigrant parents in English, and continue to teach Sunday school. I am learning American Sign Language, which I am certain would be a very useful skill for a hopeful teacher to possess. And I’m still working as a relay assistant, educating others on how the deaf and speech impaired communicate. I'm certain I could do well in school. In high school, I often made the honor roll and was on the dean’s list in my previous college career for most of it. Even my current advisor has said that my studies should not be an issue for me. My work experience as a paralegal also taught me valuable organizational and writing skills. I’m aware that becoming and working as a teacher in this day and age is no simple task. People must balance their studies with their work. And so much has changed since COVID-19 gripped the world. There are conflicts over in-person versus distance learning, mask mandates, and more. I do not care about making a lot of money. I know teaching is not always on the list of high-paying jobs. I just want to help a child. If at the end of the day a child is smiling because of me, I will know that I made a difference. Thank you for your time and consideration.

The year was 2009. I was a junior in high school. This is when I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, or GAD. I had been experiencing a bout of depression after my grandma's death, along with baseless fears that my health was declining or I was about to die. My anxiety attacks prompted a visit to the emergency room, and later to the local clinic for a diagnosis. Life has been somewhat different since then. Fortunately, both medication and therapy have helped me cope with anxiety, but there are still days it tries to get the better of me. I know I am certainly a stronger person today because of my trials, but not everyone has the same story. No doubt a decline in mental health has been on the rise in the US. Poor mental health contributes not only to anxiety disorders and suicides, but harm to others, as well. For example, I believe the individual who carried out the massacre at the Uvalde, Texas elementary school was not right in the head at all. My heart breaks even imagining such a terrible thing happening. Just the fact that mass shootings have risen in the past decade is a grim testament to how poor mental health has become. Specialists strive to help, of course. I know there are millions of people taking antidepressants daily in this country right now. But more needs to be done. People with mental health conditions need to stop being such a stigma. We need to get them the help they need. I believe that a sturdy network of family and friends is also very important in helping someone battle mental health conditions. They provide a soft place for the troubled mind to land. Family and friends should always be ready and willing to provide consolation and advice to such people. Because of my own experiences with mental health, I considered a career in counseling when I was in high school. Now, due to my love of children and teaching, I look greatly forward to attending college this fall to become either an elementary or special education teacher. Naturally I am a very shy person, which may be linked to my anxiety. I have struggled with shyness my entire life, which led to me being classified into the special education classroom as I grew up. I now wish to use my tribulations for good, making a difference in the lives of children with special needs, showing them how they can reach their fullest potential and displaying compassion. I am certain I can make that positive difference, and that a career in teaching is the right avenue for it. In the meantime, I will continue to take my daily medication to keep my anxiety at bay. I will prepare for my college career, which I am very excited about. I will encourage and try to lift others up. I will strive to be loving and compassionate toward all, not just children. If more people did these things, perhaps the epidemic that is poor mental health can finally be over in this country. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

The year was 2009. I was a junior in high school. This is when I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, or GAD. I had been experiencing a bout of depression after my grandma's death, along with baseless fears that my health was declining or I was about to die. My anxiety attacks prompted a visit to the emergency room, and later to the local clinic for a diagnosis. Life has been somewhat different since then. Fortunately, both medication and therapy have helped me cope with anxiety, but there are still days it tries to get the better of me. I know I am certainly a stronger person today because of my trials, but not everyone has the same story. No doubt a decline in mental health has been on the rise in the US. Poor mental health contributes not only to anxiety disorders and suicides, but harm to others, as well. For example, I believe the individual who carried out the massacre at the Uvalde, Texas elementary school was not right in the head at all. My heart breaks even imagining such a terrible thing happening. Just the fact that mass shootings have risen in the past decade is a grim testament to how poor mental health has become. Specialists strive to help, of course. I know there are millions of people taking antidepressants daily in this country right now. But more needs to be done. People with mental health conditions need to stop being such a stigma. We need to get them the help they need. I believe that a sturdy network of family and friends is also very important in helping someone battle mental health conditions. They provide a soft place for the troubled mind to land. Family and friends should always be ready and willing to provide consolation and advice to such people. Because of my own experiences with mental health, I considered a career in counseling when I was in high school. Now, due to my love of children and teaching, I look greatly forward to attending college this fall to become either an elementary or special education teacher. Naturally I am a very shy person, which may be linked to my anxiety. I have struggled with shyness my entire life, which led to me being classified into the special education classroom as I grew up. I now wish to use my tribulations for good, making a difference in the lives of children with special needs, showing them how they can reach their fullest potential and displaying compassion. I am certain I can make that positive difference, and that a career in teaching is the right avenue for it. In the meantime, I will continue to take my daily medication to keep my anxiety at bay. I will prepare for my college career, which I am very excited about. I will encourage and try to lift others up. I will strive to be loving and compassionate toward all, not just children. If more people did these things, perhaps the epidemic that is poor mental health can finally be over in this country. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.