My field of interest is Education, specifically Elementary Education. I chose this field because I’ve always enjoyed learning and want to pass that joy on to others. I’ve also always loved younger kids, and I aspire to be the person I needed when I was in school and struggling in many ways. Teachers tend to shape students' lives without even realizing it many times, and I strive to help students emotionally as well as to learn.  To illustrate, in fourth grade (2017) I lost my mom. My teacher at the time, Dr. Ellen Ashere helped me by giving me time off, extra time on assignments, and resources to help me through my grief, she allowed me to visit my 3rd grade teacher Mrs. Michelle Bishop who helped me as well. I explained to Dr. Ashere that I didn’t want to be treated differently and that, I wanted to focus on school, and she let me. I can remember every single way my teachers have helped me through the years, as well as the way they made my life harder by not being understanding or caring.  I plan on creating a classroom that allows students to feel included and that their feelings are valid. Children go through a lot and tend to think they have to do it alone to be okay, that it’s not important enough or too important to entrust with an adult who will minimize whatever is happening to them. In my classroom, I hope no student feels they are not enough, or afraid to speak about what is happening to them. I plan to encourage open dialogue and implement counseling groups and/or specific times during the week when students can come and talk or study together so they do not feel as alone and helpless. On top of this, I plan to let students create notebooks where they write whatever they want in it, give them to me to read and respond to their thoughts if they would like as an outlet for their feelings they may not feel comfortable speaking out loud. Getting a degree in Education will help me to be a teacher that students can remember as someone who helped them and gave them life skills they’ll continue to use as they try to meet their goals. As a teacher I want to do more than teach the materials I’m given, I want to show how each topic will relate to everyday life and teach my students useful skills, like clear communication, setting goals, working together, and emotional intelligence.  In essence, through education, I believe I could make an impact on students' lives, even if it was just one kid. I believe that it would be worth all the work I’ve put into pursuing an education degree. By becoming an elementary teacher I would be able to help students in their formative years when they are still developing and where they take many habits and dreams to the future.

The nature of the universe, for me, is understanding people how people see it. When we understand people, we understand how we think the world works. It’s people who explore space, explore the oceans, explore ruins. When people think of the universe, it can make us contemplate our existence and the true size of what we don’t know. There are people who explore the scientific side of the universe, the way it was made, the way it relates to us as humans. Then there are people who explore the spiritual side of the universe, the way we connect to the ‘cosmos’ and how it creates and affects cultures. The universe leads to existential questions which, in turn, lead to people changing their lives. For me, it’s important for everyone to learn and understand the universe in their own way and how it relates to their own life. I personally don’t think of the universe by itself often, I think of how aspects and ideas of the universe shape individual lives. My goal is to be a teacher, and as a teacher, I know that students would have their own visions of the universe, their own ideas shaped by their lives. It’s important that I am not only informed on every aspect of the universe but also that I respect everyone’s visions of it. When I teach, I hope to give my students a better idea of how the universe works scientifically, the way it was made and how it relates to our solar system and Earth itself, as well as the scientific future. I also hope to give my students an idea of how many cultures and religions, throughout time, have used the nature of the universe as a foundation for their beliefs and lives. Thus, understanding different cultural perspectives is a vital part of my educational approach. I believe that the universe is not just a scientific entity; it embodies narratives, myths, and diverse histories that enrich our understanding as a collective human experience. By encouraging my students to appreciate these narratives, I aspire to cultivate a classroom atmosphere characterized by curiosity, openness, and a willingness to listen. Additionally, I want to make it clear that no matter what someone believes about our universe or how they see it, they deserve to be treated with respect, not ridiculed or judged because of their beliefs. Our universe has been a topic of questioning and discussion for millennia. By understanding the nature of the universe, we can better comprehend how it will end, what the universe is made up of, and how it relates to Earth. Once again, this understanding illuminates how exactly people see the world. When we see how people view the universe and the nature of it, we can better understand how they perceive the world and the people within it. Children often don’t understand the way things truly work; they base their beliefs and information on what those around them have said. In my classroom, I hope to encourage my students to explore how they see the universe themselves, the nature of it, as well as how their opinions differ from each other. I want to foster respectful and kind discussions so they can understand one another better. Given that we live in a world filled with diverse perspectives, enabling students to articulate and comprehend various viewpoints is crucial in their development as empathetic individuals. In conclusion, as I embark on my journey as an educator, I aspire to create an enduring environment conducive to exploration, respect, and understanding. By facilitating an appreciation for both the scientific and cultural dimensions of the universe, I hope to inspire the next generation to not merely seek answers but to engage in thoughtful dialogue about their own beliefs and the beliefs of others. This, I believe, will not only enrich their educational experience but also empower them to become informed and compassionate citizens in an increasingly complex world.

My field of interest is Education, specifically Elementary Education. The reason I chose this field is because I’ve always enjoyed learning and I want to pass that joy onto others. On top of that I’ve always loved younger kids and I aspire to be the person I needed when I was in school and struggling in many ways. Teachers shape students lives without even realizing it many times. In fourth grade (2017) I lost my mom. My teacher at the time Dr. Ellen Ashere helped me through my giving me time off, extra time on assignments, and giving me resources to help me through my grief. I explained to her that I didn’t want to be treated differently and I wanted to focus on schools and she let me. She gave me tasks to help around the classroom and let me go to my third grade teacher, Ms. Michelle Bishops classroom often to help out. I remember all my teachers, I remember every single way they have helped me through the years, as well as the way they made my life harder by not being understanding. I want to be a teacher who students can go to whenever they need anything without fear and without feeling like they need to do it alone. I aspire to be a teacher who students can remember as someone who helped them and gave them life skills they’ll continue to use as they try to meet their goals. Younger kids go through a lot and tend to think they have to do it alone to be okay, that it’s not important enough or too important to entrust with a adult who will minimize whatever is happening to them. Through education I believe I could make an impact on students lives, even if it was just one kid I believe that it would be worth all the work I’ve put into it.

My mother died in 2017 when I was nine years old, in a motorcycle accident. I remember being told that she was in the hospital, then being in the hospital and being told that she died. I only cried when I was alone, emotionally I shut down. I’ve always struggled with communication, I still do to this day. When my mom died I had been living with my grandparents, aunt, uncle, little cousin, and my older brother for a couple of years. I could see each of them struggling but being so young I decided to ignore it. I escaped through books, school, I acted out, keeping everything inside. Academically when my mom passed my grades struggled some but school was something that I’d always enjoyed it let me escape my feelings so I dove headfirst into it. In 2019 I became an online student and my aunt had another baby. My brother, my grandparents, and I moved into our own place only 16 minutes away so we could still visit and spend the night often. I finally began to acknowledge my feelings and trying to communicate when my grandfather got sick the same year. Despite this my relationships grew because I knew I need to make more of an effort to communicate my feelings. While academically I prospered because he helped push me to do what I enjoyed and meet my goals. I’ve always enjoyed learning, even in kindergarten and he helped push me to be where I wanted no matter how hard it got. My grandfather passed away in November 2023. The loss of him has hit me harder than my mom’s death did and my 16th birthday happened only a month after he passed and that day every single thing he would miss consumed me. The birthdays, graduations, celebrations, weddings, births, even the small things like mini achievements. Emotionally when he passed I immediately went to shut down like I had when my mom died and I had to force myself to acknowledge what was happening inside me. It made me realize how much I need to communicate how I feel with everything going on instead of letting it eat me up inside. Being so young when my mom died I never really saw the grief in my family but now that I am older and going through my own grief instead of shutting it down, I can see how it affects everyone so differently. His death has led me to communicate more, be more understanding and my family to be even closer than we had been. Financially my grandmother stresses every single day because she’s only on disability and we have a very low income because she can’t work, but my aunt and uncle help in any way they can and I have never felt like I don’t have enough or I have less than what other people have. In school every time I start struggling and want to give up I remind myself what he’d say, how he’d smile and tell me it’s for my future. I can’t teach without learning first. Both my mom and grandpa’s deaths have changed my life in different ways academically my moms death led me to realize my enjoyment for learning, my grandfathers death pushes me to meet my goals, and I’ve learned that everyone deals with grief differently and you have to be understanding and patient no matter what.

The foundation of my life has undeniably been shaped by the unwavering support of my family, particularly during times of grief. My mother passed away in 2017 when I was 9 years old. I have found myself deeply intertwined with the dynamics of my extended family, living under one roof with my grandparents, aunt, uncle, cousin, older brother and later another cousin. Such close quarters have fostered a unique environment in which we have learned not only to support one another emotionally, but also to appreciate the essence of familial bonds as we navigate the complexities of loss together. The relationships built within our household have undoubtedly been instrumental in helping each of us cope with the profound changes that life has thrust upon us. As I reflect on my experiences, it becomes evident that the recent loss of my grandfather in November 2023 has propelled me into a deeper understanding of the hardship nature of grief. Being so young when my mom died I never really saw the grief in my family and I actually shut down. I blocked out the feeling of grief and am only just now unblocking it and wading through my grief of both my grandfather and mother. This process has taught me the importance of empathy and compassion; I have endeavored to view the world through the lens of others who are also wrestling with their emotions. My grandmother's struggle to cope with her loss has offered me invaluable insights into the varying manifestations of grief, reinforcing my understanding of how experiences can resonate differently with each family member. In this context, my efforts to assist her during this trying time have not only fostered a sense of connection but have also allowed me to grow as an individual. Furthermore, my innate tendency to immerse myself in academic pursuits and divert my attention to younger cousins has provided me with an invaluable escape, highlighting the significance of finding solace in activities that promote well-being. However, despite my inclination to retreat into solitude, I have recognized the critical role of effective communication in maintaining familial relationships. In light of the challenges I've faced, I have diligently worked toward communicating better and being more open, which in turn has cultivated stronger connections with my family. Observing other families, I am often struck by the sometimes painful lack of respect that certain children display toward their relatives. This contrast serves to reinforce my own appreciation of familial bonds, highlighting the idea that mutual respect is essential to nurturing relationships among family members. Overall, my experiences with grief and family dynamics have profoundly shaped my understanding of empathy, communication, and resilience, as well as shaping my goals for the future.The journey of healing requires conscientious effort and an appreciation for the unique perspectives of those we love even as we struggle. As I continue to seek balance in my relationships, I remain committed to fostering a close-knit family environment—one characterized by respect, support, and a shared understanding of the hardships of life. By engaging in open dialogue and valuing the connections I hold dear, I can honor my mother and grandfather while navigating the complexities of my own growth.