In reality, my interest in special education for children began since I was a child myself. I have two very close relatives who are on the spectrum and who grew up in special education. Naturally, curiosity for this area was very prominent in me as a child. I wondered what exactly made them "special", and why they had to be separated from the rest of us. At home it was the same thing, they required different things than the rest of us but were not allowed to do certain things either. With time and experience, I came to understand that their uniqueness in thinking plays a big role. Our world and what we consider normal, is seen so differently by them. Everything is analyzed in a way that I consider extremely detailed. Getting a glimpse into how they interpret things is one of my favorite parts of this field. With each child and every passing day, you can learn several things about their cognitive development. When I worked as a substitute Paraprofessional III, the first thing I did everyday was ask to know a general idea of who each child was and how their behaviors. I made sure to learn their names and habits in order to bring them comfort and familiarity, even though they did not know me. In every classroom there is a huge variation of learning styles but in mainstream classrooms most students are conformed to one learning style at a time. The class learns as a group and expected to be moving at the same pace. What I love so much about special education classes is the ability to have their minds working in their own ways. They are allowed to express themselves in order to better learn. As a special education teacher one of my main goals would be to have curriculum prepared that allows them to keep their unique learning styles while still progressing and understanding other ones as well. I have 5+ years of experience in education but this past year and a half I began working one on one and in group settings with students on the spectrum. This experience alone changed my entire career path and gave me such a sense of belonging. I finally knew what I wanted to specialize in and it was perfect timing. I recently graduated with my BA in Sociology and I'm now choosing to attend San Jose State for a Masters in Child and Adolescent Development. I am currently working as a teacher assistant for a special education classroom and the end goal is to be the teacher. I am more than excited for this career path as my experience has already taught me so much. This field requires professionals who are compassionate, adaptable, and judgment free. Every kid deserves to be met with love and acceptance and this is the easiest thing I have done in my life. Entering this next chapter in my education has been a very big learning experience. It has felt like such new territory. Not having any close individuals who have experienced this step of their education has made it feel even scarier. Nonetheless I am super excited to be the first just because of the love I have for this field. The reminder that I will get to work with these individuals is enough to diminish my worries. Financial stability has never been secure in my life but I'm aspiring to obtain any sort of aid that could take a bit of weight off my shoulders. Regardless of any hardships, this path is such a sure part of my life. I would love to honor Brittany Pearson Santillana and her passion for special education. Her legacy would live in my success forever. Thank you!