Mental health is the foundation on which all things are built. Success in education, relationships and confidence are rooted in strong mental health. All aspects of life will be impacted when one has poor mental health. As an aspiring elementary educator, I understand the importance of good mental health and I am eager to support children both academically and mentally. I want to make a positive impact on every child’s life. I believe that the most crucial stage of a human's life are the earlier years. From newborn to adult, all humans are learning who they are and they make daily choices about how they want to live life. As an educator, I will be in a position where I may be the first adult outside of the child’s family to identify personal struggles, and this thought alone has inspired me to be an advocate for children’s mental health within education. In elementary classrooms, during the most formative years, children are being taught to read, write, solve math problems, build relationships, and communicate. Many students come to school with invisible struggles by the names of stress, anxiety, worry, depression, and so many others. I have found that children are so commonly overlooked because people believe that they do not feel the same emotions as adults do; however, this is so far from the truth! My dream is to be the teacher who all students feel safe and comfortable with. When the world feels heavy and seems to be upside down, I pray to be the teacher in a student's life who listens and cares, without them fearing judgment or teacher bias. I am eager to create a classroom atmosphere that brings safety, educational curiosity, and a sense of belonging. When students feel emotionally and physically comfortable they are more likely to ask questions, take risks, and grow in all areas of life. Supporting mental health within the education field means recognizing that all students’ feelings matter and helping students to understand that it is okay to ask for help. By understanding and attending to my students' mental health, I hope to gain access to help them grow in their education. As an educator I want to encourage open communication, model empathy, and respond to a students’ needs with compassion and care. Finally, it is essential to address the stigma associated with mental health, especially from a young age. It is common for individuals to grow up being ashamed of their feelings and to hesitate to reach out for support when they need it. The negativity towards mental health is a problem that we need to confront. As a future educator, I believe that it is important and also necessary to combat this common belief and teach the next generation that they should never be ashamed of their feelings and know that it is powerful to reach out when they need assistance. In my classroom, I will incorporate emotional disciplines and learning into the schedule. This plan will help students develop the ability to speak for themselves and form the vocabulary to do so effectively. Teaching children that it is okay to deal with heavy emotions will begin to combat the harmful stigma that surrounds mental health today. Prioritizing mental health in education is not just important but essential. It is my goal to create a safe environment that encourages academic and mental health education. As a teacher, I look forward to positively impacting children’s lives and combating the stigma surrounding mental health.