Education is the foundation of our lives, without educators we wouldn’t have any room to grow into other professions. Throughout my years in school I have had many educators help me figure out what I want to do in the future. I have admired many of them and they have shaped me to be the person that I am today. I am a first generation college student and without those educators I would be lost on where to go. My parents graduated high school but never pursued a college degree. My father attended college for approximately two weeks before dropping out. I have had little to no help in applying to colleges or even advice in the direction that I should go from my parents. My parents always struggled in life and we have had to move in with my grandfather to take care of him which resulted in my parents having to give up their jobs to take care of him. Without the teachers in my life, I might not have found my calling. I want to be that inspirational teacher for students. I aspire to be the teacher that students can go to if they are having a hard time at home or every school. I believe teachers aren't just educators, I believe that they have the power to change a students life forever and want to one day use that power so no child has to go through what I had to in school. I always loved watching kids and teaching them, throughout my own childhood I have always been mature for my age and have helped the younger kids. I am very active within my church and I volunteer every sunday in the kids ministry. Over time I have even been given the honor of having my own class of two and three year olds. When I was a freshman and sophomore in high school, I started to get serious about what I wanted to pursue. That's when I went and confided in many teachers and counselors on why they chose to be an educator. Just seeing them light up about telling their story showed me how powerful being an educator really is. They have changed my life in ways I could have never imagined, that's when I realized I wanted to be the difference in my students' lives too. I wanted to be the teacher that they can confide in when they are struggling. After I figured out that I wanted to be an educator I applied myself in school and put everything I had into making sure my dreams came true. Throughout everything I had teachers that never let me give up and if I didn't have the resources or them I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Education is the foundation of our lives, without educators we wouldn’t have any room to grow into other professions. Throughout my years in school I have had many educators help me figure out what I want to do in the future. I have admired many of them and they have shaped me to be the person that I am today. I am a first generation college student and without those educators I would be lost on where to go. My parents graduated high school but never pursued a college degree. My father attended college for approximately two weeks before dropping out. I have had little to no help in applying to colleges or even advice in the direction that I should go from my parents. My parents always struggled in life and we have had to move in with my grandfather to take care of him which resulted in my parents having to give up their jobs to take care of him. Without the teachers in my life, I might not have found my calling. I want to be that inspirational teacher for students. I aspire to be the teacher that students can go to if they are having a hard time at home or every school. I believe teachers aren't just educators, I believe that they have the power to change a students life forever and want to one day use that power so no child has to go through what I had to in school. I always loved watching kids and teaching them, throughout my own childhood I have always been mature for my age and have helped the younger kids. I am very active within my church and I volunteer every sunday in the kids ministry. Over time I have even been given the honor of having my own class of two and three year olds. When I was a freshman and sophomore in high school, I started to get serious about what I wanted to pursue. That's when I went and confided in many teachers and counselors on why they chose to be an educator. Just seeing them light up about telling their story showed me how powerful being an educator really is. They have changed my life in ways I could have never imagined, that's when I realized I wanted to be the difference in my students' lives too. I wanted to be the teacher that they can confide in when they are struggling. After I figured out that I wanted to be an educator I applied myself in school and put everything I had into making sure my dreams came true. Throughout everything I had teachers that never let me give up and if I didn't have the resources or them I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Education is the foundation of our lives, without educators we wouldn’t have any room to grow into other professions. Throughout my years in school I have had many educators help me figure out what I want to do in the future. I have admired many of them and they have shaped me to be the person that I am today. I am a first generation college student and without those educators I would be lost on where to go. My parents graduated high school but never pursued a college degree. My father attended college for approximately two weeks before dropping out. I have had little to no help in applying to colleges or even advice in the direction that I should go from my parents. My parents always struggled in life and we have had to move in with my grandfather to take care of him which resulted in my parents having to give up their jobs to take care of him. Without the teachers in my life, I might not have found my calling. I want to be that inspirational teacher for students. I aspire to be the teacher that students can go to if they are having a hard time at home or every school. I believe teachers aren't just educators, I believe that they have the power to change a student's life forever and want to one day use that power, so no child has to go through what I had to in school. I always loved watching kids and teaching them, throughout my own childhood I have always been mature for my age and have helped the younger kids. I am very active within my church, and I volunteer every Sunday in the kids ministry. Over time I have even been given the honor of having my own class of two and three year olds. When I was a freshman and sophomore in high school, I started to get serious about what I wanted to pursue. That's when I went and confided in many teachers and counselors on why they chose to be an educator. Just seeing them light up about telling their story showed me how powerful being an educator really is. They have changed my life in ways I could have never imagined, that's when I realized I wanted to be the difference in my students' lives too. I wanted to be the teacher that they can confide in when they are struggling. After I figured out that I wanted to be an educator I applied myself in school and put everything I had into making sure my dreams came true. Throughout everything I had teachers that never let me give up and if I didn't have the resources or them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Alzheimer's has had a major impact on many families and how they go about everyday life. For me, Alzheimer's has even affected my home life. Four years ago my parents and I moved in with my grandfather because he could not take care of himself any more. In the last six months my grandfather has been hospitalized numerous times and I have slowly seen my papaw lose his light. From being this funny, joking, and wild grandfather to this man who doesn't even know who I am anymore. Of course he has his good and bad days but it has progressed rapidly in the last month. Alzheimer's has taken away my papaws light, and not only that but it has put a tremendous strain on my family. From spending every day with my grandfather at the flea market to even wondering if he will remember my name the next time I go and see him. I know I have been tremendously lucky to have the memories that I do have with my papaw, but I would give up anything to have one more time that he remembers my name. I have learned how God puts all things into your life for a reason. I know that my grandfather's story might be coming to an end but I know that it is just the start of his everlasting life. Throughout the ups and downs my grandfather was always there for me. I do not know how his walk with God was in his childhood but I do know that in the last four years we have had numerous conversations about God and why I am so passionate about my love for him. So much so that my Grandfather Skip Church has been reading and wanting to know more about God and Heaven. Throughout this journey with my family it has only made my walk with Christ more clear. I know not everything goes the way we would like it too but just seeing how speaking about God in front of my grandfather lit up his own eyes makes it even clearer that when he does pass he will not be in pain but he will be up there with his wife living in his forever home. Throughout this tremendous struggle I have learned to be compassionate by standing with my mother as she sees her father passing slowly and making sure she knows that he wouldn't be in pain, but he will feel a weight off his own shoulders. My family is dealing with this unwavering weight, but I just know that God is giving me the strength to show them how he will do all things for his glory and how it won't be the last time we see him, we just won’t see him again on this early plane. Alzheimer's has taken the light out of my grandfather, but it won't waver his faith and it won't waver my compassion and strength to be there for my family.