I remember that my second-grade teacher, Ms. Brody became one of the few people in my school history who seemed to take the time to understand me and wanted to help me - both academically and socially. Ms. Brody was very kind and understanding and accepted me for who I was. Whenever I was upset or about to have a meltdown, the teacher would let me get up from my desk and go sit in the reading corner and that would always help me calm down. Several other people played an important role in my life and made a difference growing up: The school counselor at Ashford Park Elementary who knew I liked books and created a book club just for me. She brought other students into the club to help me connect with my peers and have an opportunity to build new friendships. I never forgot that. My elementary school PE teacher, Coach Tate, was a very kind man. He didn’t make me feel like the odd one out and always treated me with respect just like with the other kids. He ensured that I was part of the group and defended me whenever there was an issue with another student. For once I felt like I mattered. When I first heard of autism, I wasn’t sure what it was, and when I learned more about it, I figured that described me perfectly and I wasn’t a freak. When I found out that it wasn’t just me who had it, I was overjoyed that I wasn’t the only oddball. All of a sudden, I realized why I had to face so many challenges growing up but understanding that I wasn’t the only one going through these experiences made me feel like it was ok. Maybe there was a reason for me being the way I am. My mom always called it my little superpower - the ability to think and feel differently. I knew I had a place in this world. I just had to figure out what that was. During the summer of 2023, I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do after high school. I decided to explore different career paths by participating in various internships. Although the first two internships were interesting, they didn't quite capture my attention. However, the third internship I completed was different. It involved working with young kids, and I immediately felt a sense of joy and fulfillment. The children were so full of life and energy, and it was amazing to see how much they enjoyed learning new things. I remember in particular one little boy who seemed to be more sensitive than the other kids. I felt drawn to him because I was the same way when I was his age and I felt the need to be more supportive. Working with those kids that summer made me realize that I wanted to pursue a career in early childhood education. The feeling of making a positive impact on someone's life, even in a small way, was something that I knew I wanted to experience every day. As an individual with a passion for working with young children and diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum myself, I will be in a unique position to identify the signs and symptoms of autism early and provide early intervention strategies to help those children and their families. I realized that my unique perspective and way of thinking could bring a fresh and valuable contribution to early childhood education. This realization solidified my decision to pursue a career in education.

I remember that my second-grade teacher, Ms. Brody became one of the few people in my school history who seemed to take the time to understand me and wanted to help me - both academically and socially. Ms. Brody was very kind and understanding and accepted me for who I was. Whenever I was upset or about to have a meltdown, the teacher would let me get up from my desk and go sit in the reading corner and that would always help me calm down. Several other people played an important role in my life and made a difference growing up: The school counselor at Ashford Park Elementary who knew I liked books and created a book club just for me. She brought other students into the club to help me connect with my peers and have an opportunity to build new friendships. I never forgot that. My elementary school PE teacher, Coach Tate, was a very kind man. He didn’t make me feel like the odd one out and always treated me with respect just like with the other kids. He ensured that I was part of the group and defended me whenever there was an issue with another student. For once I felt like I mattered. When I first heard of autism, I wasn’t sure what it was, and when I learned more about it, I figured that described me perfectly and I wasn’t a freak. When I found out that it wasn’t just me who had it, I was overjoyed that I wasn’t the only oddball. All of a sudden, I realized why I had to face so many challenges growing up but understanding that I wasn’t the only one going through these experiences made me feel like it was ok. Maybe there was a reason for me being the way I am. My mom always called it my little superpower - the ability to think and feel differently. I knew I had a place in this world. I just had to figure out what that was. During the summer of 2023, I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do after high school. I decided to explore different career paths by participating in various internships. Although the first two internships were interesting, they didn't quite capture my attention. However, the third internship I completed was different. It involved working with young kids, and I immediately felt a sense of joy and fulfillment. The children were so full of life and energy, and it was amazing to see how much they enjoyed learning new things. I remember in particular one little boy who seemed to be more sensitive than the other kids. I felt drawn to him because I was the same way when I was his age and I felt the need to be more supportive. Working with those kids that summer made me realize that I wanted to pursue a career in early childhood education. The feeling of making a positive impact on someone's life, even in a small way, was something that I knew I wanted to experience every day. As an individual with a passion for working with young children and diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum myself, I will be in a unique position to identify the signs and symptoms of autism early and provide early intervention strategies to help those children and their families. I realized that my unique perspective and way of thinking could bring a fresh and valuable contribution to early childhood education. This realization solidified my decision to pursue a career in education.

I remember that my second-grade teacher, Ms. Brody became one of the few people in my school history who seemed to take the time to understand me and wanted to help me - both academically and socially. Ms. Brody was very kind and understanding and accepted me for who I was. Whenever I was upset or about to have a meltdown, the teacher would let me get up from my desk and go sit in the reading corner and that would always help me calm down. Several other people played an important role in my life and made a difference growing up: The school counselor at Ashford Park Elementary who knew I liked books and created a book club just for me. She brought other students into the club to help me connect with my peers and have an opportunity to build new friendships. I never forgot that. My elementary school PE teacher, Coach Tate, was a very kind man. He didn’t make me feel like the odd one out and always treated me with respect just like with the other kids. He ensured that I was part of the group and defended me whenever there was an issue with another student. For once I felt like I mattered. When I first heard of autism, I wasn’t sure what it was, and when I learned more about it, I figured that described me perfectly and I wasn’t a freak. When I found out that it wasn’t just me who had it, I was overjoyed that I wasn’t the only oddball. All of a sudden, I realized why I had to face so many challenges growing up but understanding that I wasn’t the only one going through these experiences made me feel like it was ok. Maybe there was a reason for me being the way I am. My mom always called it my little superpower - the ability to think and feel differently. I knew I had a place in this world. I just had to figure out what that was. During the summer of 2023, I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do after high school. I decided to explore different career paths by participating in various internships. Although the first two internships were interesting, they didn't quite capture my attention. However, the third internship I completed was different. It involved working with young kids, and I immediately felt a sense of joy and fulfillment. The children were so full of life and energy, and it was amazing to see how much they enjoyed learning new things. I remember in particular one little boy who seemed to be more sensitive than the other kids. I felt drawn to him because I was the same way when I was his age and I felt the need to be more supportive. Working with those kids that summer made me realize that I wanted to pursue a career in early childhood education. The feeling of making a positive impact on someone's life, even in a small way, was something that I knew I wanted to experience every day. As an individual with a passion for working with young children and diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum myself, I will be in a unique position to identify the signs and symptoms of autism early and provide early intervention strategies to help those children and their families. I realized that my unique perspective and way of thinking could bring a fresh and valuable contribution to early childhood education. This realization solidified my decision to pursue a career in education.

I remember that my second-grade teacher, Ms. Brody became one of the few people in my school history who seemed to take the time to understand me and wanted to help me - both academically and socially. Ms. Brody was very kind and understanding and accepted me for who I was. Whenever I was upset or about to have a meltdown, the teacher would let me get up from my desk and go sit in the reading corner and that would always help me calm down. Several other people played an important role in my life and made a difference growing up: The school counselor at Ashford Park Elementary who knew I liked books and created a book club just for me. She brought other students into the club to help me connect with my peers and have an opportunity to build new friendships. I never forgot that. My elementary school PE teacher, Coach Tate, was a very kind man. He didn’t make me feel like the odd one out and always treated me with respect just like with the other kids. He ensured that I was part of the group and defended me whenever there was an issue with another student. For once I felt like I mattered. When I first heard of autism, I wasn’t sure what it was, and when I learned more about it, I figured that described me perfectly and I wasn’t a freak. When I found out that it wasn’t just me who had it, I was overjoyed that I wasn’t the only oddball. All of a sudden, I realized why I had to face so many challenges growing up but understanding that I wasn’t the only one going through these experiences made me feel like it was ok. Maybe there was a reason for me being the way I am. My mom always called it my little superpower - the ability to think and feel differently. I knew I had a place in this world. I just had to figure out what that was. During the summer of 2023, I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do after high school. I decided to explore different career paths by participating in various internships. Although the first two internships were interesting, they didn't quite capture my attention. However, the third internship I completed was different. It involved working with young kids, and I immediately felt a sense of joy and fulfillment. The children were so full of life and energy, and it was amazing to see how much they enjoyed learning new things. I remember in particular one little boy who seemed to be more sensitive than the other kids. I felt drawn to him because I was the same way when I was his age and I felt the need to be more supportive. Working with those kids that summer made me realize that I wanted to pursue a career in early childhood education. The feeling of making a positive impact on someone's life, even in a small way, was something that I knew I wanted to experience every day. As an individual with a passion for working with young children and diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum myself, I will be in a unique position to identify the signs and symptoms of autism early and provide early intervention strategies to help those children and their families. I realized that my unique perspective and way of thinking could bring a fresh and valuable contribution to early childhood education. This realization solidified my decision to pursue a career in education.

I remember that my second-grade teacher, Ms. Brody became one of the few people in my school history who seemed to take the time to understand me and wanted to help me - both academically and socially. Ms. Brody was very kind and understanding and accepted me for who I was. Whenever I was upset or about to have a meltdown, the teacher would let me get up from my desk and go sit in the reading corner and that would always help me calm down. Several other people played an important role in my life and made a difference growing up: The school counselor at Ashford Park Elementary who knew I liked books and created a book club just for me. She brought other students into the club to help me connect with my peers and have an opportunity to build new friendships. I never forgot that. My elementary school PE teacher, Coach Tate, was a very kind man. He didn’t make me feel like the odd one out and always treated me with respect just like with the other kids. He ensured that I was part of the group and defended me whenever there was an issue with another student. For once I felt like I mattered. When I first heard of autism, I wasn’t sure what it was, and when I learned more about it, I figured that described me perfectly and I wasn’t a freak. When I found out that it wasn’t just me who had it, I was overjoyed that I wasn’t the only oddball. All of a sudden, I realized why I had to face so many challenges growing up but understanding that I wasn’t the only one going through these experiences made me feel like it was ok. Maybe there was a reason for me being the way I am. My mom always called it my little superpower - the ability to think and feel differently. I knew I had a place in this world. I just had to figure out what that was. During the summer of 2023, I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do after high school. I decided to explore different career paths by participating in various internships. Although the first two internships were interesting, they didn't quite capture my attention. However, the third internship I completed was different. It involved working with young kids, and I immediately felt a sense of joy and fulfillment. The children were so full of life and energy, and it was amazing to see how much they enjoyed learning new things. I remember in particular one little boy who seemed to be more sensitive than the other kids. I felt drawn to him because I was the same way when I was his age and I felt the need to be more supportive. Working with those kids that summer made me realize that I wanted to pursue a career in early childhood education. The feeling of making a positive impact on someone's life, even in a small way, was something that I knew I wanted to experience every day. As an individual with a passion for working with young children and diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum myself, I will be in a unique position to identify the signs and symptoms of autism early and provide early intervention strategies to help those children and their families. I realized that my unique perspective and way of thinking could bring a fresh and valuable contribution to early childhood education. This realization solidified my decision to pursue a career in education.

The title of the next chapter of my life would be: "Embracing my autism: My journey towards an Early Childhood Education degree" During my childhood, I often felt like an outsider, struggling to connect with my peers and even my own family. The social nuances and unwritten rules that seemed to come naturally to others were a constant source of confusion for me. I longed for acceptance and understanding, but it felt like an unattainable goal. This sense of loneliness fueled my desire to find my place in the world and help others who may be experiencing similar struggles. As an individual with a passion for working with young children and diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum myself, I will be in a unique position to identify the signs and symptoms of autism early and provide early intervention strategies to help those children and their families. This can make a significant impact on a child's life, as early intervention and treatment can greatly improve their outcomes and help them reach their full potential. And just like how some of the teachers, coaches, and family members in my life made a difference to me by embracing my uniqueness and supporting me through some of the social challenges, maybe one day I can be THAT supportive person to a young child as well. By understanding the challenges I faced as a child, I can empathize with and support children who may be going through similar experiences. I realized that my unique perspective and way of thinking could bring a fresh and valuable contribution to early childhood education. This realization solidified my decision to pursue a career in this field. I can't wait to see what this next chapter will bring and what my future will hold.

I remember that my second-grade teacher, Ms. Brody became one of the few people in my school history who seemed to take the time to understand me and wanted to help me - both academically and socially. Ms. Brody was very kind and understanding and accepted me for who I was. Whenever I was upset or about to have a meltdown, the teacher would let me get up from my desk and go sit in the reading corner and that would always help me calm down. Several other people played an important role in my life and made a difference growing up: The school counselor at Ashford Park Elementary who knew I liked books and created a book club just for me. She brought other students into the club to help me connect with my peers and have an opportunity to build new friendships. I never forgot that. My elementary school PE teacher, Coach Tate, was a very kind man. He didn’t make me feel like the odd one out and always treated me with respect just like with the other kids. He ensured that I was part of the group and defended me whenever there was an issue with another student. For once I felt like I mattered. When I first heard of autism, I wasn’t sure what it was, and when I learned more about it, I figured that described me perfectly and I wasn’t a freak. When I found out that it wasn’t just me who had it, I was overjoyed that I wasn’t the only oddball. All of a sudden, I realized why I had to face so many challenges growing up but understanding that I wasn’t the only one going through these experiences made me feel like it was ok. Maybe there was a reason for me being the way I am. My mom always called it my little superpower - the ability to think and feel differently. I knew I had a place in this world. I just had to figure out what that was. During the summer of 2023, I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do after high school. I decided to explore different career paths by participating in various internships. Although the first two internships were interesting, they didn't quite capture my attention. However, the third internship I completed was different. It involved working with young kids, and I immediately felt a sense of joy and fulfillment. The children were so full of life and energy, and it was amazing to see how much they enjoyed learning new things. I remember in particular one little boy who seemed to be more sensitive than the other kids. I felt drawn to him because I was the same way when I was his age and I felt the need to be more supportive. Working with those kids that summer made me realize that I wanted to pursue a career in early childhood education. The feeling of making a positive impact on someone's life, even in a small way, was something that I knew I wanted to experience every day. As an individual with a passion for working with young children and diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum myself, I will be in a unique position to identify the signs and symptoms of autism early and provide early intervention strategies to help those children and their families. I realized that my unique perspective and way of thinking could bring a fresh and valuable contribution to early childhood education. This realization solidified my decision to pursue a career in education.

During the summer of 2023, I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do after high school. I decided to explore different career paths by participating in various internships. The third internship I completed was different. It involved working with young kids, and I immediately felt a sense of joy and fulfillment. Working with those kids that summer made me realize that I wanted to pursue a career in early childhood education. The feeling of making a positive impact on someone's life, even in a small way, was something that I knew I wanted to experience every day. As an individual with a passion for working with young children and diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum myself, I will be in a unique position to identify the signs and symptoms of autism early and provide early intervention strategies to help those children and their families. I realized that my unique perspective and way of thinking could bring a fresh and valuable contribution to early childhood education. This realization solidified my decision to pursue a career in education.

As an anime enthusiast, I have several series and films that I can watch over and over again. It is really hard for me to choose just one; however, if I had to choose just one, it would have to be "Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood." I have not only watched the TV series, but also read the books. What makes this series so endlessly captivating for me is its unique blend of action, humor, and emotional depth. The story follows two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, who try to use alchemy to bring their deceased mother back to life. In the process, they pay a heavy price - Edward loses an arm and a leg, while Alphonse loses his entire body and is bound to a suit of armor. The series then follows the brothers as they search for the Philosopher's Stone, a legendary artifact that can restore their bodies. Along the way, they encounter a rich cast of characters, each with their own motivations and backstories. What I love about "Fullmetal Alchemist": The action scenes are thrilling and so well-animated, but it's the characters and their relationships that really make the series stand out. Every character is fleshed out and sympathetic, and their struggles and triumphs feel genuine. The reason why this one has to be my favorite is the combination of the amazing animations and how relatable the characters are.

I remember that my second-grade teacher, Ms. Brody became one of the few people in my school history who seemed to take the time to understand me and wanted to help me - both academically and socially. Ms. Brody was very kind and understanding and accepted me for who I was. Whenever I was upset or about to have a meltdown, the teacher would let me get up from my desk and go sit in the reading corner and that would always help me calm down. Several other people played an important role in my life and made a difference growing up: The school counselor at Ashford Park Elementary who knew I liked books and created a book club just for me. She brought other students into the club to help me connect with my peers and have an opportunity to build new friendships. I never forgot that. My elementary school PE teacher, Coach Tate, was a very kind man. He didn’t make me feel like the odd one out and always treated me with respect just like with the other kids. He ensured that I was part of the group and defended me whenever there was an issue with another student. For once I felt like I mattered. When I first heard of autism, I wasn’t sure what it was, and when I learned more about it, I figured that described me perfectly and I wasn’t a freak. When I found out that it wasn’t just me who had it, I was overjoyed that I wasn’t the only oddball. All of a sudden, I realized why I had to face so many challenges growing up but understanding that I wasn’t the only one going through these experiences made me feel like it was ok. Maybe there was a reason for me being the way I am. My mom always called it my little superpower - the ability to think and feel differently. I knew I had a place in this world. I just had to figure out what that was. During the summer of 2023, I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do after high school. I decided to explore different career paths by participating in various internships. Although the first two internships were interesting, they didn't quite capture my attention. However, the third internship I completed was different. It involved working with young kids, and I immediately felt a sense of joy and fulfillment. The children were so full of life and energy, and it was amazing to see how much they enjoyed learning new things. I remember in particular one little boy who seemed to be more sensitive than the other kids. I felt drawn to him because I was the same way when I was his age and I felt the need to be more supportive. Working with those kids that summer made me realize that I wanted to pursue a career in early childhood education. The feeling of making a positive impact on someone's life, even in a small way, was something that I knew I wanted to experience every day. As an individual with a passion for working with young children and diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum myself, I will be in a unique position to identify the signs and symptoms of autism early and provide early intervention strategies to help those children and their families. I realized that my unique perspective and way of thinking could bring a fresh and valuable contribution to early childhood education. This realization solidified my decision to pursue a career in education.

I remember that my second-grade teacher, Ms. Brody became one of the few people in my school history who seemed to take the time to understand me and wanted to help me - both academically and socially. Ms. Brody was very kind and understanding and accepted me for who I was. Whenever I was upset or about to have a meltdown, the teacher would let me get up from my desk and go sit in the reading corner and that would always help me calm down. Several other people played an important role in my life and made a difference growing up: The school counselor at Ashford Park Elementary who knew I liked books and created a book club just for me. She brought other students into the club to help me connect with my peers and have an opportunity to build new friendships. I never forgot that. My elementary school PE teacher, Coach Tate, was a very kind man. He didn’t make me feel like the odd one out and always treated me with respect just like with the other kids. He ensured that I was part of the group and defended me whenever there was an issue with another student. For once I felt like I mattered. When I first heard of autism, I wasn’t sure what it was, and when I learned more about it, I figured that described me perfectly and I wasn’t a freak. When I found out that it wasn’t just me who had it, I was overjoyed that I wasn’t the only oddball. All of a sudden, I realized why I had to face so many challenges growing up but understanding that I wasn’t the only one going through these experiences made me feel like it was ok. Maybe there was a reason for me being the way I am. My mom always called it my little superpower - the ability to think and feel differently. I knew I had a place in this world. I just had to figure out what that was. During the summer of 2023, I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do after high school. I decided to explore different career paths by participating in various internships. Although the first two internships were interesting, they didn't quite capture my attention. However, the third internship I completed was different. It involved working with young kids, and I immediately felt a sense of joy and fulfillment. The children were so full of life and energy, and it was amazing to see how much they enjoyed learning new things. I remember in particular one little boy who seemed to be more sensitive than the other kids. I felt drawn to him because I was the same way when I was his age and I felt the need to be more supportive. Working with those kids that summer made me realize that I wanted to pursue a career in early childhood education. The feeling of making a positive impact on someone's life, even in a small way, was something that I knew I wanted to experience every day. As an individual with a passion for working with young children and diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum myself, I will be in a unique position to identify the signs and symptoms of autism early and provide early intervention strategies to help those children and their families. I realized that my unique perspective and way of thinking could bring a fresh and valuable contribution to early childhood education. This realization solidified my decision to pursue a career in education.

I remember that my second-grade teacher, Ms. Brody became one of the few people in my school history who seemed to take the time to understand me and wanted to help me - both academically and socially. Ms. Brody was very kind and understanding and accepted me for who I was. Whenever I was upset or about to have a meltdown, the teacher would let me get up from my desk and go sit in the reading corner and that would always help me calm down. Several other people played an important role in my life and made a difference growing up: The school counselor at Ashford Park Elementary who knew I liked books and created a book club just for me. She brought other students into the club to help me connect with my peers and have an opportunity to build new friendships. I never forgot that. My elementary school PE teacher, Coach Tate, was a very kind man. He didn’t make me feel like the odd one out and always treated me with respect just like with the other kids. He ensured that I was part of the group and defended me whenever there was an issue with another student. For once I felt like I mattered. When I first heard of autism, I wasn’t sure what it was, and when I learned more about it, I figured that described me perfectly and I wasn’t a freak. When I found out that it wasn’t just me who had it, I was overjoyed that I wasn’t the only oddball. All of a sudden, I realized why I had to face so many challenges growing up but understanding that I wasn’t the only one going through these experiences made me feel like it was ok. Maybe there was a reason for me being the way I am. My mom always called it my little superpower - the ability to think and feel differently. I knew I had a place in this world. I just had to figure out what that was. During the summer of 2023, I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do after high school. I decided to explore different career paths by participating in various internships. Although the first two internships were interesting, they didn't quite capture my attention. However, the third internship I completed was different. It involved working with young kids, and I immediately felt a sense of joy and fulfillment. The children were so full of life and energy, and it was amazing to see how much they enjoyed learning new things. I remember in particular one little boy who seemed to be more sensitive than the other kids. I felt drawn to him because I was the same way when I was his age and I felt the need to be more supportive. Working with those kids that summer made me realize that I wanted to pursue a career in early childhood education. The feeling of making a positive impact on someone's life, even in a small way, was something that I knew I wanted to experience every day. As an individual with a passion for working with young children and diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum myself, I will be in a unique position to identify the signs and symptoms of autism early and provide early intervention strategies to help those children and their families. I realized that my unique perspective and way of thinking could bring a fresh and valuable contribution to early childhood education. This realization solidified my decision to pursue a career in education.

I remember that my second-grade teacher, Ms. Brody became one of the few people in my school history who seemed to take the time to understand me and wanted to help me - both academically and socially. Ms. Brody was very kind and understanding and accepted me for who I was. Whenever I was upset or about to have a meltdown, the teacher would let me get up from my desk and go sit in the reading corner and that would always help me calm down. Several other people played an important role in my life and made a difference growing up: The school counselor at Ashford Park Elementary who knew I liked books and created a book club just for me. She brought other students into the club to help me connect with my peers and have an opportunity to build new friendships. I never forgot that. My elementary school PE teacher, Coach Tate, was a very kind man. He didn’t make me feel like the odd one out and always treated me with respect just like with the other kids. He ensured that I was part of the group and defended me whenever there was an issue with another student. For once I felt like I mattered. When I first heard of autism, I wasn’t sure what it was, and when I learned more about it, I figured that described me perfectly and I wasn’t a freak. When I found out that it wasn’t just me who had it, I was overjoyed that I wasn’t the only oddball. All of a sudden, I realized why I had to face so many challenges growing up but understanding that I wasn’t the only one going through these experiences made me feel like it was ok. Maybe there was a reason for me being the way I am. My mom always called it my little superpower - the ability to think and feel differently. I knew I had a place in this world. I just had to figure out what that was. During the summer of 2023, I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do after high school. I decided to explore different career paths by participating in various internships. Although the first two internships were interesting, they didn't quite capture my attention. However, the third internship I completed was different. It involved working with young kids, and I immediately felt a sense of joy and fulfillment. The children were so full of life and energy, and it was amazing to see how much they enjoyed learning new things. I remember in particular one little boy who seemed to be more sensitive than the other kids. I felt drawn to him because I was the same way when I was his age and I felt the need to be more supportive. Working with those kids that summer made me realize that I wanted to pursue a career in early childhood education. The feeling of making a positive impact on someone's life, even in a small way, was something that I knew I wanted to experience every day. As an individual with a passion for working with young children and diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum myself, I will be in a unique position to identify the signs and symptoms of autism early and provide early intervention strategies to help those children and their families. I realized that my unique perspective and way of thinking could bring a fresh and valuable contribution to early childhood education. This realization solidified my decision to pursue a career in education.

I remember that my second-grade teacher, Ms. Brody became one of the few people in my school history who seemed to take the time to understand me and wanted to help me - both academically and socially. Ms. Brody was very kind and understanding and accepted me for who I was. Whenever I was upset or about to have a meltdown, the teacher would let me get up from my desk and go sit in the reading corner and that would always help me calm down. Several other people played an important role in my life and made a difference growing up: The school counselor at Ashford Park Elementary who knew I liked books and created a book club just for me. She brought other students into the club to help me connect with my peers and have an opportunity to build new friendships. I never forgot that. My elementary school PE teacher, Coach Tate, was a very kind man. He didn’t make me feel like the odd one out and always treated me with respect just like with the other kids. He ensured that I was part of the group and defended me whenever there was an issue with another student. For once I felt like I mattered. When I first heard of autism, I wasn’t sure what it was, and when I learned more about it, I figured that described me perfectly and I wasn’t a freak. When I found out that it wasn’t just me who had it, I was overjoyed that I wasn’t the only oddball. All of a sudden, I realized why I had to face so many challenges growing up but understanding that I wasn’t the only one going through these experiences made me feel like it was ok. Maybe there was a reason for me being the way I am. My mom always called it my little superpower - the ability to think and feel differently. I knew I had a place in this world. I just had to figure out what that was. During the summer of 2023, I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do after high school. I decided to explore different career paths by participating in various internships. Although the first two internships were interesting, they didn't quite capture my attention. However, the third internship I completed was different. It involved working with young kids, and I immediately felt a sense of joy and fulfillment. The children were so full of life and energy, and it was amazing to see how much they enjoyed learning new things. I remember in particular one little boy who seemed to be more sensitive than the other kids. I felt drawn to him because I was the same way when I was his age and I felt the need to be more supportive. Working with those kids that summer made me realize that I wanted to pursue a career in early childhood education. The feeling of making a positive impact on someone's life, even in a small way, was something that I knew I wanted to experience every day. As an individual with a passion for working with young children and diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum myself, I will be in a unique position to identify the signs and symptoms of autism early and provide early intervention strategies to help those children and their families. I realized that my unique perspective and way of thinking could bring a fresh and valuable contribution to early childhood education. This realization solidified my decision to pursue a career in education.

I remember that my second-grade teacher, Ms. Brody became one of the few people in my school history who seemed to take the time to understand me and wanted to help me - both academically and socially. Ms. Brody was very kind and understanding and accepted me for who I was. Whenever I was upset or about to have a meltdown, the teacher would let me get up from my desk and go sit in the reading corner and that would always help me calm down. Several other people played an important role in my life and made a difference growing up: The school counselor at Ashford Park Elementary who knew I liked books and created a book club just for me. She brought other students into the club to help me connect with my peers and have an opportunity to build new friendships. I never forgot that. My elementary school PE teacher, Coach Tate, was a very kind man. He didn’t make me feel like the odd one out and always treated me with respect just like with the other kids. He ensured that I was part of the group and defended me whenever there was an issue with another student. For once I felt like I mattered. When I first heard of autism, I wasn’t sure what it was, and when I learned more about it, I figured that described me perfectly and I wasn’t a freak. When I found out that it wasn’t just me who had it, I was overjoyed that I wasn’t the only oddball. All of a sudden, I realized why I had to face so many challenges growing up but understanding that I wasn’t the only one going through these experiences made me feel like it was ok. Maybe there was a reason for me being the way I am. My mom always called it my little superpower - the ability to think and feel differently. I knew I had a place in this world. I just had to figure out what that was. During the summer of 2023, I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do after high school. I decided to explore different career paths by participating in various internships. Although the first two internships were interesting, they didn't quite capture my attention. However, the third internship I completed was different. It involved working with young kids, and I immediately felt a sense of joy and fulfillment. The children were so full of life and energy, and it was amazing to see how much they enjoyed learning new things. I remember in particular one little boy who seemed to be more sensitive than the other kids. I felt drawn to him because I was the same way when I was his age and I felt the need to be more supportive. Working with those kids that summer made me realize that I wanted to pursue a career in early childhood education. The feeling of making a positive impact on someone's life, even in a small way, was something that I knew I wanted to experience every day. As an individual with a passion for working with young children and diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum myself, I will be in a unique position to identify the signs and symptoms of autism early and provide early intervention strategies to help those children and their families. I realized that my unique perspective and way of thinking could bring a fresh and valuable contribution to early childhood education. This realization solidified my decision to pursue a career in education.

I remember that my second-grade teacher, Ms. Brody became one of the few people in my school history who seemed to take the time to understand me and wanted to help me - both academically and socially. Ms. Brody was very kind and understanding and accepted me for who I was. Whenever I was upset or about to have a meltdown, the teacher would let me get up from my desk and go sit in the reading corner and that would always help me calm down. Several other people played an important role in my life and made a difference growing up: The school counselor at Ashford Park Elementary who knew I liked books and created a book club just for me. She brought other students into the club to help me connect with my peers and have an opportunity to build new friendships. I never forgot that. My elementary school PE teacher, Coach Tate, was a very kind man. He didn’t make me feel like the odd one out and always treated me with respect just like with the other kids. He ensured that I was part of the group and defended me whenever there was an issue with another student. For once I felt like I mattered. When I first heard of autism, I wasn’t sure what it was, and when I learned more about it, I figured that described me perfectly and I wasn’t a freak. When I found out that it wasn’t just me who had it, I was overjoyed that I wasn’t the only oddball. All of a sudden, I realized why I had to face so many challenges growing up but understanding that I wasn’t the only one going through these experiences made me feel like it was ok. Maybe there was a reason for me being the way I am. My mom always called it my little superpower - the ability to think and feel differently. I knew I had a place in this world. I just had to figure out what that was. During the summer of 2023, I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do after high school. I decided to explore different career paths by participating in various internships. Although the first two internships were interesting, they didn't quite capture my attention. However, the third internship I completed was different. It involved working with young kids, and I immediately felt a sense of joy and fulfillment. The children were so full of life and energy, and it was amazing to see how much they enjoyed learning new things. I remember in particular one little boy who seemed to be more sensitive than the other kids. I felt drawn to him because I was the same way when I was his age and I felt the need to be more supportive. Working with those kids that summer made me realize that I wanted to pursue a career in early childhood education. The feeling of making a positive impact on someone's life, even in a small way, was something that I knew I wanted to experience every day. As an individual with a passion for working with young children and diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum myself, I will be in a unique position to identify the signs and symptoms of autism early and provide early intervention strategies to help those children and their families. I realized that my unique perspective and way of thinking could bring a fresh and valuable contribution to early childhood education. This realization solidified my decision to pursue a career in education.

I remember that my second-grade teacher, Ms. Brody became one of the few people in my school history who seemed to take the time to understand me and wanted to help me - both academically and socially. Ms. Brody was very kind and understanding and accepted me for who I was. Whenever I was upset or about to have a meltdown, the teacher would let me get up from my desk and go sit in the reading corner and that would always help me calm down. Several other people played an important role in my life and made a difference growing up: The school counselor at Ashford Park Elementary who knew I liked books and created a book club just for me. She brought other students into the club to help me connect with my peers and have an opportunity to build new friendships. I never forgot that. My elementary school PE teacher, Coach Tate, was a very kind man. He didn’t make me feel like the odd one out and always treated me with respect just like with the other kids. He ensured that I was part of the group and defended me whenever there was an issue with another student. For once I felt like I mattered. When I first heard of autism, I wasn’t sure what it was, and when I learned more about it, I figured that described me perfectly and I wasn’t a freak. When I found out that it wasn’t just me who had it, I was overjoyed that I wasn’t the only oddball. All of a sudden, I realized why I had to face so many challenges growing up but understanding that I wasn’t the only one going through these experiences made me feel like it was ok. Maybe there was a reason for me being the way I am. My mom always called it my little superpower - the ability to think and feel differently. I knew I had a place in this world. I just had to figure out what that was. During the summer of 2023, I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do after high school. I decided to explore different career paths by participating in various internships. Although the first two internships were interesting, they didn't quite capture my attention. However, the third internship I completed was different. It involved working with young kids, and I immediately felt a sense of joy and fulfillment. The children were so full of life and energy, and it was amazing to see how much they enjoyed learning new things. I remember in particular one little boy who seemed to be more sensitive than the other kids. I felt drawn to him because I was the same way when I was his age and I felt the need to be more supportive. Working with those kids that summer made me realize that I wanted to pursue a career in early childhood education. The feeling of making a positive impact on someone's life, even in a small way, was something that I knew I wanted to experience every day. As an individual with a passion for working with young children and diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum myself, I will be in a unique position to identify the signs and symptoms of autism early and provide early intervention strategies to help those children and their families. I realized that my unique perspective and way of thinking could bring a fresh and valuable contribution to early childhood education. This realization solidified my decision to pursue a career in education.

I remember that my second-grade teacher, Ms. Brody became one of the few people in my school history who seemed to take the time to understand me and wanted to help me - both academically and socially. Ms. Brody was very kind and understanding and accepted me for who I was. Whenever I was upset or about to have a meltdown, the teacher would let me get up from my desk and go sit in the reading corner and that would always help me calm down. Several other people played an important role in my life and made a difference growing up: The school counselor at Ashford Park Elementary who knew I liked books and created a book club just for me. She brought other students into the club to help me connect with my peers and have an opportunity to build new friendships. I never forgot that. My elementary school PE teacher, Coach Tate, was a very kind man. He didn’t make me feel like the odd one out and always treated me with respect just like with the other kids. He ensured that I was part of the group and defended me whenever there was an issue with another student. For once I felt like I mattered. When I first heard of autism, I wasn’t sure what it was, and when I learned more about it, I figured that described me perfectly and I wasn’t a freak. When I found out that it wasn’t just me who had it, I was overjoyed that I wasn’t the only oddball. All of a sudden, I realized why I had to face so many challenges growing up but understanding that I wasn’t the only one going through these experiences made me feel like it was ok. Maybe there was a reason for me being the way I am. My mom always called it my little superpower - the ability to think and feel differently. I knew I had a place in this world. I just had to figure out what that was. During the summer of 2023, I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do after high school. I decided to explore different career paths by participating in various internships. Although the first two internships were interesting, they didn't quite capture my attention. However, the third internship I completed was different. It involved working with young kids, and I immediately felt a sense of joy and fulfillment. The children were so full of life and energy, and it was amazing to see how much they enjoyed learning new things. I remember in particular one little boy who seemed to be more sensitive than the other kids. I felt drawn to him because I was the same way when I was his age and I felt the need to be more supportive. Working with those kids that summer made me realize that I wanted to pursue a career in early childhood education. The feeling of making a positive impact on someone's life, even in a small way, was something that I knew I wanted to experience every day. As an individual with a passion for working with young children and diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum myself, I will be in a unique position to identify the signs and symptoms of autism early and provide early intervention strategies to help those children and their families. I realized that my unique perspective and way of thinking could bring a fresh and valuable contribution to early childhood education. This realization solidified my decision to pursue a career in education.

I remember that my second-grade teacher, Ms. Brody became one of the few people in my school history who seemed to take the time to understand me and wanted to help me - both academically and socially. Ms. Brody was very kind and understanding and accepted me for who I was. Whenever I was upset or about to have a meltdown, the teacher would let me get up from my desk and go sit in the reading corner and that would always help me calm down. Several other people played an important role in my life and made a difference growing up: The school counselor at Ashford Park Elementary who knew I liked books and created a book club just for me. She brought other students into the club to help me connect with my peers and have an opportunity to build new friendships. I never forgot that. My elementary school PE teacher, Coach Tate, was a very kind man. He didn’t make me feel like the odd one out and always treated me with respect just like with the other kids. He ensured that I was part of the group and defended me whenever there was an issue with another student. For once I felt like I mattered. When I first heard of autism, I wasn’t sure what it was, and when I learned more about it, I figured that described me perfectly and I wasn’t a freak. When I found out that it wasn’t just me who had it, I was overjoyed that I wasn’t the only oddball. All of a sudden, I realized why I had to face so many challenges growing up but understanding that I wasn’t the only one going through these experiences made me feel like it was ok. I knew I had a place in this world. I just had to figure out what that was. As an individual with a passion for working with young children and diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum myself, I will be in a unique position to identify the signs and symptoms of autism early and provide early intervention strategies to help those children. I realized that my unique perspective and way of thinking could bring a fresh and valuable contribution to early childhood education. This realization solidified my decision to pursue a career in education.

I remember that my second-grade teacher, Ms. Brody became one of the few people in my school history who seemed to take the time to understand me and wanted to help me - both academically and socially. Ms. Brody was very kind and understanding and accepted me for who I was. Whenever I was upset or about to have a meltdown, the teacher would let me get up from my desk and go sit in the reading corner and that would always help me calm down. Several other people played an important role in my life and made a difference growing up: The school counselor at Ashford Park Elementary who knew I liked books and created a book club just for me. She brought other students into the club to help me connect with my peers and have an opportunity to build new friendships. I never forgot that. My elementary school PE teacher, Coach Tate, was a very kind man. He didn’t make me feel like the odd one out and always treated me with respect just like with the other kids. He ensured that I was part of the group and defended me whenever there was an issue with another student. For once I felt like I mattered. When I first heard of autism, I wasn’t sure what it was, and when I learned more about it, I figured that described me perfectly and I wasn’t a freak. When I found out that it wasn’t just me who had it, I was overjoyed that I wasn’t the only oddball. All of a sudden, I realized why I had to face so many challenges growing up but understanding that I wasn’t the only one going through these experiences made me feel like it was ok. Maybe there was a reason for me being the way I am. My mom always called it my little superpower - the ability to think and feel differently. I knew I had a place in this world. I just had to figure out what that was. During the summer of 2023, I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do after high school. I decided to explore different career paths by participating in various internships. Although the first two internships were interesting, they didn't quite capture my attention. However, the third internship I completed was different. It involved working with young kids, and I immediately felt a sense of joy and fulfillment. The children were so full of life and energy, and it was amazing to see how much they enjoyed learning new things. I remember in particular one little boy who seemed to be more sensitive than the other kids. I felt drawn to him because I was the same way when I was his age and I felt the need to be more supportive. Working with those kids that summer made me realize that I wanted to pursue a career in early childhood education. The feeling of making a positive impact on someone's life, even in a small way, was something that I knew I wanted to experience every day. As an individual with a passion for working with young children and diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum myself, I will be in a unique position to identify the signs and symptoms of autism early and provide early intervention strategies to help those children and their families. I realized that my unique perspective and way of thinking could bring a fresh and valuable contribution to early childhood education. This realization solidified my decision to pursue a career in education.

I remember that my second-grade teacher, Ms. Brody became one of the few people in my school history who seemed to take the time to understand me and wanted to help me - both academically and socially. Ms. Brody was very kind and understanding and accepted me for who I was. Whenever I was upset or about to have a meltdown, the teacher would let me get up from my desk and go sit in the reading corner and that would always help me calm down. Several other people played an important role in my life and made a difference growing up: The school counselor at Ashford Park Elementary who knew I liked books and created a book club just for me. She brought other students into the club to help me connect with my peers and have an opportunity to build new friendships. I never forgot that. My elementary school PE teacher, Coach Tate, was a very kind man. He didn’t make me feel like the odd one out and always treated me with respect just like with the other kids. He ensured that I was part of the group and defended me whenever there was an issue with another student. For once I felt like I mattered. When I first heard of autism, I wasn’t sure what it was, and when I learned more about it, I figured that described me perfectly and I wasn’t a freak. When I found out that it wasn’t just me who had it, I was overjoyed that I wasn’t the only oddball. All of a sudden, I realized why I had to face so many challenges growing up but understanding that I wasn’t the only one going through these experiences made me feel like it was ok. Maybe there was a reason for me being the way I am. My mom always called it my little superpower - the ability to think and feel differently. I knew I had a place in this world. I just had to figure out what that was. During the summer of 2023, I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do after high school. I decided to explore different career paths by participating in various internships. Although the first two internships were interesting, they didn't quite capture my attention. However, the third internship I completed was different. It involved working with young kids, and I immediately felt a sense of joy and fulfillment. The children were so full of life and energy, and it was amazing to see how much they enjoyed learning new things. I remember in particular one little boy who seemed to be more sensitive than the other kids. I felt drawn to him because I was the same way when I was his age and I felt the need to be more supportive. Working with those kids that summer made me realize that I wanted to pursue a career in early childhood education. The feeling of making a positive impact on someone's life, even in a small way, was something that I knew I wanted to experience every day. As an individual with a passion for working with young children and diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum myself, I will be in a unique position to identify the signs and symptoms of autism early and provide early intervention strategies to help those children and their families. I realized that my unique perspective and way of thinking could bring a fresh and valuable contribution to early childhood education. This realization solidified my decision to pursue a career in education.