When I entered my junior year of high school, I started spending more time with an international student who lacked confidence in his English. We became close friends, and through our friendship, I saw the difficulties he faced in adjusting to a new culture and education system while dealing with a slight language barrier. His experiences opened my eyes to the need for more support for non-native English speakers, especially education that focuses on learning and understanding English in practical, everyday academic settings. That school year, I noticed how he struggled to keep up with the language used in our classes. Occasionally, he would ask me to explain what the teacher meant, especially when older or more figurative English appeared in literature assignments. I realized that non-native speakers are often expected to just keep up without receiving the foundational support they require. It wasn’t that he couldn’t understand, but it was that no one had taken the time to bridge the gap simply. Despite these challenges, he was determined to adapt. He studied English day and night, seizing every chance to ask questions and clarify concepts. His motivation was inspiring, and I was amazed at his determination. As I assisted him with assignments, clarified meanings, and explained slang or idiomatic phrases, I genuinely enjoyed the teaching process. I learned about patience, communication, and the deep connection between culture and language. Being his friend gave me a better understanding of the struggles that international students often face, and it opened my eyes to a career path I hadn’t seriously considered before: teaching English as a second language. Over time, I was deeply inspired to help younger children learn English, especially knowing how important it is for a child’s development and growth. This solidified my commitment to becoming an ESL teacher, working with other students to help them overcome the language barrier. I want to create a supportive, welcoming environment for language learners. The following year, my friend returned to the States after visiting his home country for the summer. When we reunited, I was amazed at how fluent he had become. His confidence had grown, his vocabulary had expanded, and he no longer paused to translate in his head. He spoke freely, joked easily, and participated more in class discussions. Seeing how far he had come made me proud. Knowing I played a small part in his encouragement motivated me to keep pursuing English. My friend had completely impacted my world, and it confirmed that teaching English is not just a job; it’s a chance to change someone’s life. Today, as I look forward to college and my future career, I carry his story with me. I know many more students like him are full of potential, just waiting for someone to help them unlock it. I want to be that person who teaches and inspires those students to keep learning even when it seems tough. I want to teach English not just as a language but as a tool for connection, confidence, and success.

My mother was only a teenager when she gave birth to me, an eighteen-year-old trying to build her life during high school. “I was a baby having a baby,” she would later recall. She was forced into a mother role, despite being so young. She wanted to ensure that I would have a better life, even if it meant putting her own life on pause. Throughout the early stages of my education, I was placed in extra care with my family, staying in after-school programs, and constantly waiting for my mom to arrive and pick me up from school. She was always trying her best when it came to taking care of my brother and me, but I wasn’t able to fully engage in a world outside of my small household. I was very sheltered from the outside world, so that my mom would be able to watch me closely. I grew up to become very family-oriented, as they were always helpful and supportive towards my education. Later in life, I was constantly worried about the issue of money, hoping that I’d be able to fund my further education because I was born in a low-income family. Watching my mom constantly work towards building a better future for us, I was always worried that I’d be unable to support myself. She had always stayed out late for work, picking up long shifts, and working the whole weekend. I grew up faster, realizing the weight of my mother’s decision to raise me as a single mother, and I felt obligated to reach for something more than what we had now. Moreover, my mom had always instilled in me that I should strive for greater, and she never limited me from dreaming about bigger life decisions and reaching for “impossible” goals. In high school, I was motivated to continue furthering my education, but I was unsure how I’d impact the world. However, I had noticed my mother's strength and empathy towards those surrounding her, which motivated me to pursue the same. When I was younger, my mom ensured we’d always help others despite being a low-income family. For example, we’d volunteer to clean houses, backyards, and fundraisers to support our local church. My admiration for my mom only increased, and I saw how many blessings she had reaped from the way she supported the community. When I had finally graduated from high school, I realized an overwhelming pursuit to teach children, not only to instill learning habits and studying, but to encourage them to become stronger individuals. I carry her supportive and loving nature wherever I go, and I want to uphold her ideals by continuing to pursue my bachelor’s degree in education to pass down her contribution to my future. In many ways, becoming a teacher can impact the students I teach, and I hope that I leave an imprint of strength and encouragement just as my mom did for me.

As a student, I've always been inspired by the patience and courage it takes to become a teacher. Throughout the years, I've learned how much children can be changed and developed through the educational system. My passion began with an unfortunate truth: my father never received a full education. I was surprised by how many students weren’t given the proper encouragement to pursue further education. Growing up in a low-income neighborhood, he lacked the guidance and support to finish school. If he had received a bigger pressure to graduate, I believe he would've been able to have bigger aspirations and dreams besides entering the workforce. I've learned that education is a fundamental part of children's growth and development. From the early stages of education, children learn the importance of social, physical, and cognitive development. I believe that education is important to help children prepare for real-life scenarios. Unfortunately, that missed opportunity would become my parents' downfall to become teen parents, and my father to fall into addiction. Learning from your teachers about life situations and real-life consequences can shape and develop people in need of proper education. I've found that pursuing a career as a teacher can help inspire other students to grow in their education and have a better life, especially when it’s instilled at a young age. I've been inspired to help children in their most primitive years to combat societal expectations towards low-income families. I want to continue to pursue education so that I can help students like my dad and teach them the importance of working towards their education. My story isn't necessarily great in remembrance of my father, but I want to help those who are struggling with the pursuit of a greater future. Unfortunately, my father is a cautionary tale that speaks volumes into my everyday life, hoping to help those in need of a teacher so they can learn to take a step back and acknowledge any faults before it’s too late. Even helping one child can make a huge difference for their surrounding peers and life. Over the years, my passion has grown from seeing peers around me, believing they won't amount to anything. However, I believe every student should be given the chance to prove themselves wrong. Every student deserves a voice, and I want to be able to speak life into them. Through teaching, I hope to encourage students to keep moving forward!