My name is Faith Timko, and I am currently pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. My passion for working with individuals with special needs began long before I entered college. Growing up, I watched my sisters navigate school while facing learning disabilities. I saw the challenges they experienced, but I also saw the impact that caring, patient, and understanding teachers had on their confidence and success. Watching their journeys helped me understand at a young age that every student learns differently and deserves the support needed to reach their full potential. Those experiences sparked my passion for special education and inspired the career path I am pursuing today. As I grew older, I became increasingly interested in understanding how students learn and how educators can better support diverse learning needs. Seeing my sisters work through academic struggles taught me that intelligence cannot be measured by how quickly someone learns or whether they learn in the same way as everyone else. It taught me the importance of individualized instruction, patience, and advocacy. Most importantly, it showed me how powerful it can be when a teacher believes in a student who may not always believe in themselves. In addition to my personal experiences, I have been fortunate to volunteer and work with individuals with disabilities through programs and events such as Special Olympics and Night to Shine. These opportunities have reinforced my desire to serve the special needs community. Whether I was cheering on athletes during Special Olympics events or helping create a memorable experience at Night to Shine, I witnessed the importance of inclusion and the joy that comes from feeling accepted and celebrated. These experiences have allowed me to build meaningful relationships and have reminded me that every individual has unique strengths and gifts to offer. Throughout my college coursework and field placements, I have continued to develop my passion for special education. Working directly with students with a variety of learning, behavioral, and developmental needs has shown me that successful teaching is about much more than academics. It is about building relationships, creating a sense of belonging, and helping students develop confidence in themselves. I want to be the teacher who helps students recognize their abilities rather than focus on their challenges. As a future special education teacher, my goal is to create inclusive classrooms where every student feels valued, respected, and capable of success. I want to provide individualized support while fostering an environment where differences are celebrated rather than viewed as obstacles. I also hope to advocate for greater awareness, accessibility, and resources for students with disabilities and their families. Too often, individuals with special needs face barriers that limit opportunities, and I want to be part of creating positive change. My sisters' experiences first opened my eyes to the world of special education, and every experience since then has strengthened my commitment to this field. Their journeys taught me the importance of empathy, advocacy, and perseverance. As I continue my path toward becoming a special education teacher, I hope to make a lasting impact by helping students feel seen, supported, and empowered to achieve their goals. I believe every student deserves someone who believes in them, and I am committed to being that person for the students I serve.

I am passionate about becoming a special education teacher because I believe every student deserves to feel seen, capable, and valued. Students with special needs are often misunderstood or underestimated, but I have learned through both personal and hands-on experiences that they are incredibly capable when given the right support, patience, and opportunities. I want to be the person who helps them discover their strengths and build confidence in who they are. My passion began at a young age through my sisters, who have learning disabilities. Growing up, I saw them struggle in school without always receiving the support they truly needed. I watched them feel frustrated and discouraged at times, and it pushed me to step in and help however I could. I became someone who encouraged them, helped explain things in ways they understood, and advocated for them when they needed it most. That experience shaped me into someone who values individualized learning and understands that not all students learn the same way, and that is okay. It inspired me to pursue special education so I can be that same support system for other students. I have also had meaningful experiences working with individuals with special needs through events like Night to Shine and through special education coffee shop programs. These opportunities allowed me to build real relationships and see the importance of life skills in action. Watching students learn how to communicate, interact with others, and develop independence showed me that success is not just measured academically. It is also about confidence, self-expression, and the ability to navigate the world. These experiences strengthened my passion and confirmed that this is what I want to spend my life doing! Once upon a time, deep within a magical forest filled with glowing flowers and whispering trees, there was a small gnome village hidden beneath the roots of ancient oaks. The gnomes who lived there were kind and curious, but many of them struggled to find their place. Some spoke in quiet murmurs, some learned in ways others did not understand, and some had begun to believe they were not as capable as the rest. One day, a fairy teacher arrived. She shimmered with soft light and carried with her not just magic, but patience, creativity, and a deep belief in every gnome she met. Instead of trying to change the gnomes, she chose to understand them. She noticed that one gnome who rarely spoke could communicate through carving tiny, beautiful designs into wood. So she gave him tools and time, and his confidence began to grow. Another gnome struggled to follow traditional lessons but thrived when learning through movement and hands-on tasks, so she turned learning into something active and meaningful. The fairy teacher did not rush them. She bent like the branches in the wind, adapted like the flowing stream, and remained as patient as the forest itself. Slowly, the village began to change. The gnomes started to believe in themselves. They began to share their ideas, try new things, and support one another. What once felt like a place of uncertainty became a place of belonging. The fairy teacher helped each gnome discover something powerful, their own presence. They realized that their voices mattered, their ideas mattered, and that being different was not a weakness, but a strength. Over time, the forest seemed to glow a little brighter, not because of magic spells, but because of the confidence and joy that filled the village. And while the fairy teacher knew her work would never truly be finished, she also knew she had helped something grow that would last far beyond her time there. Her greatest magic was not what she could do, but what she helped others believe they could do.

I truly believe every student deserves access to a meaningful, supportive, and high-quality education and that is what I am currently working towards. Students with disabilities are just as capable, intelligent, and deserving as any other student, they may simply need additional support, patience, and individualized instruction to reach their full potential. I want to be the kind of educator who ensures those supports are in place and who advocates for every child to be seen, heard, and valued. My passion for special education began at a young age through my personal experiences with my sisters, who have learning disabilities. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the challenges they faced in school when their needs were not fully understood or met. It was difficult to see them struggle without always receiving the support they deserved. Because of this, I often stepped in to help them with schoolwork, encourage them, and advocate for what they needed. Those experiences opened my eyes to how important it is for students to have someone in their corner, someone who understands their needs and is willing to fight for their success. That role is exactly what I hope to take on as a special education teacher. In addition to my personal experiences, I have actively sought out opportunities to work with individuals with special needs. I have participated in Night to Shine events, where I was able to build meaningful connections and celebrate individuals with disabilities in a way that made them feel valued and included. I have also worked in special education coffee shop programs, which focus on teaching students real-world life skills such as communication, responsibility, and independence. These experiences have shown me how incredibly important life skills are and how empowering it is for students to gain confidence in their abilities. It reinforced my belief that education goes far beyond academics, it is about preparing students for life. I am driven to create a classroom environment where students feel safe, supported, and capable. I understand that progress may look different for each student, and I am committed to meeting students where they are. I want to build strong relationships, use creative and flexible teaching strategies, and provide the patience and encouragement that students need to succeed. My goal is not only to help students achieve academically, but also to help them build confidence, independence, and a sense of self-worth. Special education teachers have the power to make a lasting impact, not only on their students but also on families and communities. I want to be that positive influence. I am ambitious in my goal to advocate for inclusive education and ensure that all students are given the opportunity to thrive. With dedication, compassion, and strong advocacy, I believe I can make a meaningful difference in the lives of students with special needs, helping them reach their fullest potential and feel confident in who they are.

Early childhood education is so important because it helps shape future generations of students, not just academically, but socially and emotionally as well. The first few years of a child’s life are crucial, they build the foundation for everything that comes after. The experiences children have early on can impact their confidence, their love for learning, and their overall development for years to come. That is why I am so passionate about becoming an early childhood educator. My passion for this field comes from my own personal experiences growing up. My sisters both have learning disabilities, and from a young age, I saw firsthand that they were not always getting the support they truly needed in school. It was frustrating to watch them struggle without receiving the appropriate help or accommodations. Because of this, I naturally stepped into a role where I supported them, helped them with schoolwork, and most importantly, advocated for them. I learned how important it is to stand up for students and ensure they receive an education that meets their individual needs. These experiences shaped who I am today. They showed me that every child deserves to feel supported, understood, and capable. I realized that strong educators can make a huge difference, especially for students who may need extra guidance. This inspired me to pursue a career where I can be that support system for young learners and help create an inclusive, encouraging environment for all children. I am especially passionate about early childhood because of how critical these years are. During this time, children are developing their basic skills, forming relationships, and beginning to understand the world around them. When children are given the right support early on, they are more likely to succeed later in life. I want to be a teacher who helps build that strong foundation, one who encourages creativity, confidence, and a love for learning. In honor of Sandy Jenkins’ legacy, I hope to carry forward her passion and dedication by making a meaningful impact in the lives of children. Like her, I want to be someone who not only teaches but also leads, advocates, and inspires. Early childhood education is more than just a career for me, it is something I deeply care about, and I am committed to making a difference in the lives of young learners. This is a passion I have had and will carry with me forever.

Every child deserves to be heard. I learned that not from a textbook, but from watching my little sisters struggle in silence. Both of them have severe learning disabilities and receive special education services through IEPs. Unfortunately, their voices often went unheard in classrooms where they should have felt supported. The teachers and intervention specialists who were supposed to help them didn’t provide the encouragement or creative instruction they needed to thrive, and as a result, they fell behind. That was the moment I knew I wanted to be a teacher. Not just any teacher—but one who listens, understands, and meets kids where they are. I gave everything I had to help my sisters learn at home in ways that made sense to them. I watched their eyes light up when something finally clicked. I saw the confidence return to their faces. And I realized I wanted to spend my life creating those moments, not just for them, but for every child who needs a little extra love, support, and attention. As a sophomore at the University of Akron, I’m pursuing a dual major in the Primary Inclusive Teacher Preparation Program. This allows me to earn licensure in both general education and special education. With this degree, I will be equipped to support all learners, especially those with disabilities who are often overlooked. I believe early childhood is the most critical stage of development, and I’m committed to giving children a strong foundation built on compassion, creativity, and trust. Outside of class, I mentor through OHuddle, where I work one-on-one with elementary students. These relationships have taught me that every child has a story, and many of them need someone who will simply listen. I believe that fostering honesty, encouraging imagination, and validating children’s feelings are the keys to helping them grow into confident learners and kind humans. Live From Snack Time’s mission; to amplify children’s voices and value their brilliance, aligns perfectly with the teacher I aspire to be. I want to help young learners believe in themselves from the very beginning. I want to nurture their curiosity, celebrate their unique personalities, and ensure that every child feels seen and heard in my classroom. My ambition to teach comes from a place of deep personal experience. My drive comes from seeing what happens when a child doesn’t get the support they deserve. And my passion is fueled by the moments when a child’s face lights up because someone finally believed in them. I’m excited to become the kind of educator who makes that magic happen every day.

When I was younger, I would come home from school and immediately become a tutor. Not because someone asked me to, but because I had two little sisters who were struggling to keep up, and I knew they deserved better. Both of my sisters have severe learning disabilities and are on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). But instead of receiving the support they needed from their teachers and intervention specialists, they were often left behind, misunderstood, and overlooked. I watched their confidence shrink as their schoolwork piled up, and I could see that the system meant to help them wasn’t working. I stepped in, not as a trained educator, but as a big sister who refused to let them fall through the cracks. I spent countless hours sitting beside them at the kitchen table, finding ways to explain things in a way they could understand, celebrating every small success, and reminding them they were smart and capable. That experience lit a fire in me. I realized that I wanted to be the kind of teacher, and especially the kind of intervention specialist, who would never give up on a student. That’s why I’m pursuing a dual major in Primary Inclusive Teacher Preparation at the University of Akron. This program will allow me to earn licensure in both general and special education, equipping me with the skills to support all kinds of learners in the classroom. Beyond academics, I’ve learned just how important love, support, and attention are to a child’s success. Through my work with OHuddle, a mentoring program in local schools, I see firsthand how many kids come to school carrying emotional burdens, lacking stable support systems at home. Sometimes, what they need most isn’t just a lesson in math or reading, it’s someone to believe in them. I want to be that person. I want to create a classroom that feels safe, inclusive, and empowering for every child who walks through the door. Teaching isn’t just a career for me, it’s a calling rooted deeply in my own life experiences. I know what it’s like to see kids fall behind because they didn’t get the help they needed. I also know what it looks like when someone takes the time to teach them in a way that makes sense for them and how that can change everything. I’m committed to becoming an educator who makes that kind of difference, especially for students with disabilities who are so often left behind.

At my darkest he was there, when I felt like I had no one, my dog's presence healed me. Milton Timko is my dog's name, he is an English cream golden retriever. The name Milton comes from my great-grandpa, that was his middle name. I knew this would be a fitting and unique name because as my dog ages and becomes an old man the name will fit him more and more. My dog is energetic, loving and the most loyal companion I have ever known. Milton is right by my side as soon as I wake up and immediately runs to me after my day at school. There was a point in time when my whole world was crashing down on me with the loss of family members and a relationship I was in had ended. School was keeping me busy and helped distract me from the troubles of life. But when I didn't have school to do I was alone in my thoughts and that's when my mental health slowly declined. It got harder to get out of bed and have the motivation to start my day. My family attempted to help me the best they could but at the end of the day, the comfort from my dog was what brought me out of my troubles. He knew when I was upset and to this day continues to sense when I am not okay. Milton will place his head on my lap and stays there until I get to feeling better, he brings my spirits up and never stops loving. Although he is a dog, he has a heart of gold. The beautiful thing about Milton is that even if you're upset at him he will still love, he never judges and he will always be loyal. I am inspired by my dog. My dog has shown me how to love others no matter who they are, despite opposing viewpoints or differing backgrounds. My dog is always positive no matter what circumstance he may be in, I try to spread love and good energy no matter where I go, for that is what my dog does. Most people are inspired by other people, but I'm inspired by my dog. He is not only just my dog but my best friend and most loyal companion. He has continued to support me emotionally and continues to encourage me to be a better human.