The Lasting Impact of Early Childhood Education As my senior year at Pisgah High School is winding down, there are lots of decisions that need to be made. Little decisions like what dress to wear to graduation, to as big as what career path to choose. We make decisions every day that can alter our future. Some of these decisions have a larger impact on my future than others. After graduation in May, I have decided to attend Jacksonville State University and major in elementary education. This is a decision that I know is right for me and that will better my future. When I was eight years old, I lost my father due to brain cancer. My whole world was shattered. Shortly after I went back to school, my teachers had the greatest impact on my life that changed my outlook. The amount of love and grace they showed me while still holding me accountable in the classroom is why I am so passionate about early childhood education. My father was my best friend and who I looked up to, and still look up to, the most. Two weeks after his passing, I began third grade. My world was completely flipped upside down as my family and I were trying to pick up the pieces of our brokenness. My teachers were so caring and loving and made sure that I had what I needed to become the best student and person that I could be. They left such a big impact on me and that is why I have dreamed of going into early childhood education since then. I want to impact the future generation as my teachers did for me. They met my educational needs as well as emotional needs. Teachers do far more than just educate. They are role models for their students. They show them the way and how to be good people. Teachers have a lot of different roles and responsibilities and I am ready to become the best educator that I can be. I want to change the lives of my future students as my teachers did for me. I want to help change the lives of the generations to come. I am so passionate about early childhood education because of the great educators that helped me on my own journey. Five years from now, I hope that I have graduated from Jacksonville State University and already be in my own classroom. I hope my passion for early childhood education only grows throughout my college years. I can not wait to change the lives of the future generation.