If I was an influencer I this I would be an advocate for kids. I am currently working towards being a teacher, as I have a heart for kids. What sparked my desire to be a teacher was my natural gift with kids. I have always been able to reach kids throwing tantrums, with kindness and patience so that we could have a conversation to achieve or compromise their problem. In 8th grade, my family began to foster kids. This experience allowed me to learn about kids with trauma, and found they all cannot simply respond to situations the same as a kid without trauma. I found foster kids are all good kids with unfortunate, traumatic backgrounds. The child's behavior is only a response to what they know or have seen at home. Some of the kids that landed in my home were mentally, physically, and sexually abused, some neglected, some worse off than others. All products of their caregivers and experiences. With trauma training, I learned how to change my tactics and tone to reach these children, as well as how to provide a safe space for children to express their thoughts and feelings. I feel that teachers could use a deeper understanding about trauma and learn how they should be handling these children with trauma. Raising your voice at a child, could be a trigger that could cause a negative reaction in a child based off their past experiences. Teachers can make a difference in a child's life, and it is important to be educated on trauma so they can provide a safe space for a child regardless of what is going on at home.

Independence is a form of adulting. It requires one to take initiative over there own lives, complete tasks and goals on your own, and allows one to really shine who they are as an individual. I just graduated high school as of last year, and currently am experiencing independence for the first time. I have freedom to make my own choices, create my own experiences, and take hold of my life as my own person. It is an adjustment to go from being treated like a child to being treated as an adult, but it has taught me to be more responsible for myself. As an adult, you don't have anyone else to rely on to remind you what you have going on: get your oil changed, turn in your homework on time, pack a lunch, pay your insurance due this month. Though it took awhile to adjust to sudden change, I feel more equipped as a young adult to take care of things myself and be responsible for my own actions. I grew up in a strict environment, that felt like I had little to no control over my life. Having a say in what I do and act has made me feel like I can thrive as my own individual. I am free to think and act as myself. I am able to make decisions and plans myself, without influence of my parents opinions. The change of experience has been both freeing and exciting!

"A teacher?" my family asked, "Why not a lawyer or a doctor? A teaching career won't make you very much." Even from a young age, I decided pay didn't matter. The phrase, "Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life", resonated in my head. The world is so focused on associating money with success, but those who love their job are truly the ones who are successful. They love their jobs, come home happy and content, and are making a difference in each and everyone of these children's lives every single day. Teaching requires a true heart for kids, a patient mindset, and an understanding all children are not the same. Everyone wants their parents to be happy with the life they want to lead, but I know pleasing people isn't going to make me happy as I am my own individual, so I continue to work toward my own personal goals. What sparked my desire to be a teacher was my natural gift with kids. I spent middle school volunteering every Sunday in the children's ministry with a variety of ages, loving every second. Children seemed to really connect with me, wanting me to follow them or watch what they were doing at all times. I decided to ignore what my parents and grandparents wanted for my life, and focus what career choice will make me happy. Just because teaching didn't work out for them, doesn't mean the same for me. Today, there is a need for teachers, and I believe I can make a difference in these kids lives. I love my TA experience and know in my heart this is the career I was born to do. I have learned to follow your heart no matter what anyone tells you.

Something I love about myself is my love for kids, I feel like its a gift not everyone has. I am currently working toward being a teacher as I have a true heart for kids, a patient mindset, and an understanding all children are not the same. What sparked my desire to be a teacher was my natural gift with kids. I spent middle school volunteering every Sunday in the children's ministry with a variety of ages, loving every second. Children seemed to really connect with me, wanting me to follow them or watch what they were doing at all times. I was able to reach kids throwing tantrums, with kindness and patience so that we could have a conversation to achieve or compromise their problem. In 8th grade, my family began to foster kids. This experience allowed me to learn about kids with trauma, and found they all cannot simply respond to situations the same as a kid without trauma. I found foster kids are all good kids with unfortunate, traumatic backgrounds. The child's behavior is only a response to what they know or have seen at home. Some of the kids that landed in my home were mentally, physically, and sexually abused, some neglected, some worse off than others. All products of their caregivers and experiences. As a college student working toward my education degree, I feel certain this is the career I was born to do. I enjoy every second in the classroom I TA for, getting to know the kids, watching and taking note of classroom management tips. My heart is set to get kids excited about learning, to provide several methods to reach each individual child, and to provide a safe environment for all my future students.

One way I try to have a positive impact on the world is with the next generation. I am currently working towards a degree in elementary education. What sparked my desire to be a teacher was my natural gift with kids. I spent middle school volunteering every Sunday in the children's ministry with a variety of ages, loving every second. Children seemed to really connect with me, wanting me to follow them or watch what they were doing at all times. I was able to reach kids throwing tantrums, with kindness and patience so that we could have a conversation to achieve or compromise their problem. In 8th grade, my family began to foster kids. This experience allowed me to learn about kids with trauma, and found they all cannot simply respond to situations the same as a kid without trauma. I found foster kids are all good kids with unfortunate, traumatic backgrounds. The child's behavior is only a response to what they know or have seen at home. Some of the kids that landed in my home were mentally, physically, and sexually abused, some neglected, some worse off than others. All products of their caregivers and experiences. I learned how to reach these kids to make them feel loved, heard, and wanted. This is where I make a difference in the world. As a college student working toward my education degree, I feel certain this is the career I was born to do. I enjoy every second in the classroom I TA for, getting to know the kids, watching and taking note of classroom management tips. My heart is set to get kids excited about learning, to provide several methods to reach each individual child, and to provide a safe environment for all my future students.

Though I would like to say something along the lines of a private jet, wealth, and traveling. A more realistic life I would be content living would be to graduate from NNU in the year 2024 with my BA in elementary education. I hope to move back to my home town and buy a house on some land. The many lakes, the pine trees, and the beautiful change of seasons makes Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, feel like home. I would find a job at an elementary school, teaching grades around 2-4th grade, with a classroom of 25. In the summers and spring break, I would love to explore and travel as life is too short to never try.

"A teacher?" my family asked, "Why not a lawyer or a doctor? A teaching career won't make you very much." Even from a young age, I decided pay didn't matter. The phrase, "Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life", resonated in my head. The world is so focused on associating money with success, but those who love their job are truly the ones who are successful. They love their jobs, come home happy and content, and are making a difference in each and everyone of these children's lives every single day. Teaching requires a true heart for kids, a patient mindset, and an understanding all children are not the same. What sparked my desire to be a teacher began at a young age, which was the fact that I loved school. I loved a challenge, I loved learning new concepts and ideas, I loved all my teachers and classmates. Since the 2nd grade, I have had my heart set on being a teacher. I had a number of influential teachers in my life, but a couple who really sparked an interest to teach. The creative lesson plans that got me excited to learn, the interest they showed in me as an individual student, the time they took to make sure I understood concepts. They all modeled what it looks like to be a teacher, and showed a genuine love of the job as a whole. As I aged, I found I have a natural gift with kids. I spent middle school volunteering every Sunday in the children's ministry with a variety of ages, loving every second. Children seemed to really connect with me, wanting me to follow them or watch what they were doing at all times. I was able to reach kids throwing tantrums, with kindness and patience so that we could have a conversation to achieve or compromise their problem. Then I realized not all kids respond the same to my tactics, and maybe I am not mentally equipped to handle all kids I may land in my future classroom. I started to rethink my future career I was set on. In 8th grade, my family began to foster kids. This experience allowed me to learn about kids with trauma, and found they all cannot simply respond to situations the same as a kid without trauma. I found foster kids are all good kids with unfortunate, traumatic backgrounds. The child's behavior is only a response to what they know or have seen at home. Some of the kids that landed in my home were mentally, physically, and sexually abused, some neglected, some worse off than others. All products of their caregivers and experiences. With trauma training, I learned how to change my tactics and tone to reach these children, as well as how to provide a safe space for children to express their thoughts and feelings. As a college student working toward my education degree, I feel certain this is the career I was born to do. I enjoy every second in the classroom I TA for, getting to know the kids, watching and taking note of classroom management tips. My heart is set to get kids excited about learning, to provide several methods to reach each individual child, and to provide a safe environment for all my future students.