Before the start of fifth grade, I had little understanding of what it meant when someone was neurodivergent or on the spectrum. That type of thing was simply not taught in school. I did not even realize that my school had a Special Education classroom. One day my friend told me she was going to eat with the Special Education students. Not wanting to be left alone and being naturally curious, I accompanied her. While I went in to eat lunch with a friend, I left with so much more. Feelings of inspiration and admiration stimulated a desire to go back and start volunteering. Observing teachers meeting the students’ needs at all different levels, working tirelessly to help each student reach their next milestone and overcome challenges in a world often not made for them was so inspiring. Eight years later I am the Co-President of Foxborough High School’s Best Buddies and hold two jobs where I enjoy working with neurodivergent individuals. I am employed as an Integration Co-Instructor at the Foxboro YMCA, where I teach classes designed for neurodivergent individuals and also support neurodivergent individuals in mainstream classes. In these classes it is so fulfilling to help the students develop their social skills, safety awareness, fine and gross motor skills, all while having fun. For the last two summers I have worked as an assistant teacher in the Town of Foxborough’s Extended School Year Special Education program, helping teach academic and life skills. I am fortunate that my activities at school and these jobs have brought me into contact with many amazing neurodivergent individuals. I get truly excited to celebrate the highs and provide comfort during the lows, no matter how big or small. Each child's challenges are unique, and it is incredibly rewarding to work with them to overcome these. For the past eight years I have loved observing and helping these students at school and work grow, but what I did not notice was how much I was growing at the same time. I started middle school as a shy fifth grader who did not know that there was a Special Education class in her school, and now I am a senior who confidently leads classes and activities for children with a variety of neurodivergence. Whatever I have been able to give, I have gained so much more in return. School and work have given me the privilege to meet and befriend many neurodivergent individuals whom I have learned so much from. I consider them some of my biggest inspirations and motivations. Pursuing a Special Education degree is something I am incredibly excited to do because one day I will get to be the teacher who I have looked up to for years; the one who works hard to help my future students reach each milestone and maybe I will get to do what those teachers did for me, and I will inspire the future of Special Education.