I am a compassionate, determined, and hardworking student who hopes to build a career devoted to helping children grow. Teaching appeals to me because education can shape the way students view themselves, their abilities, and their futures. I want to become the kind of teacher who helps students feel seen, supported, and capable. To me, teaching is not only about explaining lessons or assigning work. It is about encouraging children to believe in themselves and giving them the knowledge, confidence, and guidance they need to reach their goals. My mother has been the greatest influence on my decision to pursue this career. When she became a teacher, I began to understand how much patience, creativity, and dedication the profession requires. She often shares stories about her classroom and the ways she keeps her students engaged while helping them learn and complete their work. Seeing the pride she takes in their progress has shown me how meaningful a teacher’s influence can be. Her example made teaching feel real to me, not simply as a job, but as a way to serve others, strengthen communities, and help shape the future. My experience volunteering as a teacher’s assistant for first- and second-grade students strengthened that interest. I observed how teachers manage a classroom, explain material, and respond to the different needs of each child. I learned that some students need more time, some need encouragement, and others need information presented in a different way. That experience taught me that effective teaching requires flexibility, understanding, and a willingness to meet students where they are. One of the most important moments during my volunteer experience came when I was asked to substitute for a kindergarten class. I immediately accepted because I wanted to challenge myself and apply what I had learned. Leading the class required me to communicate clearly, remain patient, and adjust when things did not go as planned. It also helped me recognize both my strengths and the areas in which I still need to grow. Most importantly, that experience confirmed that teaching is the career I want to pursue. Through my career, I plan to make a positive impact on the world by creating a classroom where students feel safe, respected, motivated, and valued. I want them to feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and expressing their ideas without fear of judgment. I hope to help students understand that mistakes are part of learning and that challenges do not define what they are capable of achieving. I also want to teach lessons that extend beyond academics. By encouraging perseverance, responsibility, empathy, curiosity, and confidence, I hope to prepare students to become thoughtful and capable members of their communities. A student who learns to believe in their own potential may later encourage someone else, pursue a meaningful career, or solve a problem that improves the lives of others. In this way, a teacher’s impact can continue far beyond one classroom. My goal is to use education to create a positive cycle of growth and opportunity. Just as my mother’s example inspired me, I hope my actions will inspire my future students. By helping children recognize their worth, discover their strengths, and imagine greater possibilities for themselves, I believe I can contribute to stronger schools, more supportive communities, and a more hopeful world overall.

I am interested in pursuing a career in teaching because I want to make a meaningful difference in children’s lives. I want students to understand the value of education, believe in their abilities, and recognize that learning can be both enjoyable and rewarding. Although I had considered becoming a teacher before, my experiences with my mother and my volunteer work gave me the confidence to pursue this career. The teacher who has had the greatest impact on my life is my mother. After she became a teacher, I began to understand the dedication, creativity, and patience required to lead a classroom. She often tells me about the ways she helps her students have fun while remaining focused, completing their work, and learning new things. Seeing how passionate she is about her profession and how positively she affects her students inspired me to follow in her footsteps. She showed me that teachers do more than present lessons; they encourage students, build their confidence, and help shape their futures. My interest in teaching grew even stronger when I volunteered as a teacher’s assistant for first- and second-grade students. Observing a teacher in the classroom gave me valuable insight into lesson instruction, classroom management, and student engagement. I learned that every student has different needs and that teachers must be patient, flexible, and creative in order to help each child succeed. During my volunteer experience, I was also given the opportunity to substitute for a kindergarten class. I immediately accepted because I wanted to apply what I had learned and discover my strengths and areas for improvement. Leading the class taught me important lessons about communication, responsibility, adaptability, and patience. Most importantly, the experience confirmed that teaching is the career I genuinely want to pursue. College will provide me with the knowledge and professional training needed to become an effective educator. I also plan to participate in clubs, volunteer opportunities, and other hands-on experiences that will help me continue developing as a leader and mentor. My goal is to create a classroom where students feel supported, motivated, and excited to learn. Just as my mother has positively influenced her students and inspired me, I hope to become a teacher who leaves a lasting impact on the lives of others. I also understand that becoming an effective teacher requires a willingness to keep learning and growing. Every classroom will include students with different personalities, backgrounds, strengths, and challenges, so I want to be prepared to meet them where they are. I hope to create an environment in which students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and expressing their ideas without fear of being judged. I want to build strong relationships with my students so they know that I care about both their academic success and personal development. In addition to teaching the required material, I hope to help students develop confidence, responsibility, curiosity, and perseverance. These qualities can influence the choices they make long after they leave my classroom. I also want to work closely with families, coworkers, and school leaders because I believe students benefit most when the adults around them communicate and work together. Teaching will not always be easy, but the challenges are part of what makes the profession meaningful. Knowing that I may help a child discover a new interest, overcome self-doubt, or believe in a better future would make every effort worthwhile and remind me why I chose this career for myself and my students.

My mother has played a major role in why I want to become a teacher. There was always a small part of me that knew I was made to teach, but I was hesitant. I was able to gain better insight on whether being a teacher was the right fit for me when my mother became a teacher herself. I would always hear about how much both she and her students have fun in the class but are also able to get their work done and learn something new. Seeing how much she enjoys her job and has a passion for it caused me to want to become a teacher more than ever. I plan to make an impact on the students by showing them how important it is to have an education. I want them to believe in themselves and understand that they will be able to achieve great things, just like she teaches her students. Going to college will help me get the education and knowledge I need to help make that happen. Through the blanks that can’t be filled with courses I take in college, I will use my creativity and the clubs I joined to learn more and bring myself closer to the type of teacher I wish to become. I see the good that my mother does in other students' lives, and it gives me the desire and motivation to do the same. I want to create a safe and welcoming enviorment for the future students I plan to teach. I will guide and support them in a positive direction. My volunteer head has also played a role in my drive to become an educator. I aspire to become a teacher because I want to make a change in children's lives. I want them to be able to enjoy learning and understand that it can also be fun. I gained more knowledge on the roles and responsibilities of a teacher by volunteering as a teacher's assistant for 1st and 2nd graders. I was able to learn more than I thought I would during the few months I was helping out at the elementary school. It was of immense help to directly watch a teacher in action. During my time volunteering there, I was able to put my knowledge of what I learned into action. One day, I was asked to substitute for the kindergarten class. I immediately agreed, seeing it as the perfect opportunity to put my knowledge of what I learned to use. I would also use it as a catalyst to identify my strengths and weaknesses. I have learned plenty from substituting that one class and hope to have another opportunity like that. I look forward to the future and can’t wait to start my career as a future teacher.

During my junior year, I worked as a teacher’s assistant. I worked with the first and second graders and it’s safe to say that they were a handful as expected. But I didn’t mind the rowdy children. I plan to become a kindergarten teacher, therefore, I wanted to get used to the atmosphere of dealing with children. Volunteering there was definitely an experience I won’t forget. I learned so much during that short amount of time. I also believe I contributed greatly when helping the teacher. She was very grateful for my help at the school and reluctant to see me leave. At first, I didn’t think I was of immense help when I was working with the kids, but she convinced me otherwise. There was one kid who I had to work with as part of my volunteer work. The little boy was from Brazil and didn’t know any English or how to read. The teacher tasked me with helping him learn how to read and write. I thought she was asking me to do an impossible feat, but I tried my hand at it. A few weeks later, the teacher came to me and told me how much better the little boy was getting with both my guidance and the help of his classmates. That made me feel a sense of accomplishment. I realized I am able to help others and do a good job with teaching. That motivated me to help all the other kids in that class who needed extra attention. Even if I wasn’t able to completely help the students with their reading skills, I wanted them to have a love for learning and gaining knowledge. That dream showed through when the students would always jump at the chance to be the first one to read when it was reading time. Watching how the teachers handled the kids, and the rules they put in place, helped me to have a better understanding of how I should be as a future teacher. I want to be the type of teacher that helps kids while also making sure they enjoy learning new things. My experience with working at the elementary school was of immense help by allowing me to see the goal I need to achieve. It showed me how I wish to start now and continue to my adult years with helping children in need of guidance.

Becoming an elementary school teacher has always been a passion of mine, a path that will allow me to make a difference in the world. I am dedicated to my academic endeavors and this scholarship will help me achieve my dream of attending Southern Adventist University. I plan to obtain my bachelors degree in Liberal Arts Education, with the goal of teaching kindergartners after I procure my degree. The John Young “Pursue Your Passion” Scholarship will assist me with avoiding the option of using student loans that many individuals need to resort to. I don’t want to spend years trying to pay off my student debt, so I am determined to collect the money needed through scholarships and the jobs I work. The $5,000 will go towards room and board because it will aid me greatly with my out of state college fees. I aspire to become a teacher because I want to make a change in children's lives. I want them to be able to enjoy learning and understand that it can also be fun. I gained more knowledge on the roles and responsibilities of a teacher by volunteering as a teacher's assistant for 1st and 2nd graders. I was able to learn more than I thought I would during the few months I was helping out at the elementary school. It was of immense help to directly watch a teacher in action. During my time volunteering at that elementary school, I was able to put my knowledge of what I learned into action without a teacher present. One day, I was asked to substitute for the kindergarten class at the place I was volunteering. I immediately agreed, seeing it as the perfect opportunity to put my knowledge of what I learned to use. I would also use it as a catalyst to identify my strengths and weaknesses. I have learned plenty from substituting that one class and hope to have another opportunity like that in the future. I will take what I learned from volunteering and substituting those classes then apply it to my future experiences as a teacher. As a student, I will continue to strive to do well academically. Through highschool, I maintained a high GPA and finished with a 3.8, earning the Magna Cum Laude cord. I am determined to do just as well in my studies during my college years. This scholarship will allow me to be able to focus on my studies without worrying about the financial burdens of tuition, books, and other expenses. I will be able to focus on my health, my social life, and my passion for gaining more knowledge towards my future career. I will continue to work hard, be a responsible student, and make the most out of the opportunities that come across my path. I look forward to the future and can’t wait to start my career as a future teacher.

I am grateful for the opportunity to apply to the "Carol B. Warren, You are Loved Scholarship" and will take this time to explain why I am considered a non-traditional student. I am planning to study at a university, majoring in elementary education. One thing about me is that I am always willing and ready to learn from my classmates. I enjoy soaking up the knowledge I gain and then teaching it to other individuals. My mother has played a major role in why I want to become a teacher, and going through college is a means to achieving that dream. My mom is a teacher, and I always hear about how much both she and the students have fun in the class but are also able to get their work done and learn something new. Seeing how much she enjoys her job and has a passion for it caused me to want to become a teacher more than ever. I plan to make an impact on the students by showing them how important it is to have an education, just like she does. I want them to believe in themselves and understand that they will be able to achieve great things. Going to college will help me get the education and knowledge I need to help make that happen. Through the blanks that can’t be filled with courses I take in college, I will use my creativity and clubs I join to learn more and bring myself closer to the type of teacher I wish to become. Becoming an elementary school teacher has always been a passion of mine, a path that will allow me to make a difference in the world. I am dedicated to my academic endeavors and this scholarship will help me achieve my dream of attending Southern Adventist University. I plan to obtain my bachelors degree in Liberal Arts Education, with the goal of teaching kindergartners after I procure my degree. This scholarship will assist me with avoiding the option of using student loans that many individuals need to resort to. I don’t want to spend years trying to pay off my student debt, so I am determined to collect the money needed through scholarships and the jobs I work. The $5,000 will go towards room and board because it will aid me greatly with my out of state college fees. aspire to become a teacher because I want to make a change in children's lives and I plan to do just that.

Becoming an elementary school teacher has always been a passion of mine, a path that will allow me to make a difference in the world. I am dedicated to my academic endeavors and this scholarship will help me achieve my dream of attending Southern Adventist University. I plan to obtain my bachelors degree in Liberal Arts Education, with the goal of teaching kindergartners after I procure my degree. The “Kalia D. Davis Memorial Scholarship” will assist me with avoiding the option of using student loans that many individuals need to resort to. I don’t want to spend years trying to pay off my student debt, so I am determined to collect the money needed through scholarships and the jobs I work. The $2,000 will go towards room and board because it will aid me greatly with my out of state college fees. I aspire to become a teacher because I want to make a change in children's lives. I want them to be able to enjoy learning and understand that it can also be fun. I gained more knowledge on the roles and responsibilities of a teacher by volunteering as a teacher's assistant for 1st and 2nd graders. I was able to learn more than I thought I would during the few months I was helping out at the elementary school. It was of immense help to directly watch a teacher in action. During my time volunteering at that elementary school, I was able to put my knowledge of what I learned into action without a teacher present. One day, I was asked to substitute for the kindergarten class at the place I was volunteering. I immediately agreed, seeing it as the perfect opportunity to put my knowledge of what I learned to use. I would also use it as a catalyst to identify my strengths and weaknesses. I have learned plenty from substituting that one class and hope to have another opportunity like that in the future. I will take what I learned from volunteering and substituting those classes then apply it to my future experiences as a teacher. As a student, I will continue to strive to do well academically. Through highschool, I maintained a high GPA and finished with a 3.9, earning the Magna Cum Laude cord. I am determined to do just as well in my studies during my college years. This scholarship will allow me to be able to focus on my studies without worrying about the financial burdens of tuition, books, and other expenses. I will be able to focus on my health, my social life, and my passion for gaining more knowledge towards my future career. This scholarship is not just an opportunity for me to further my studies, but a way that helps set me up for a more successful future. I will continue to work hard, be a responsible student, and make the most out of the opportunities that come across my path. I look forward to the future and can’t wait to start my career as a future teacher.

I am grateful for the opportunity to apply to the "Charles Pulling Sr. Memorial Scholarship" and will take this time to explain why I am considered a non-traditional student. I am planning to study at a university, majoring in elementary education. One thing about me is that I am always willing and ready to learn from my classmates. I enjoy soaking up the knowledge I gain and then teaching it to other individuals. My mother has played a major role in why I want to become a teacher, and going through college is a means to achieving that dream. My mom is a teacher, and I always hear about how much both she and the students have fun in the class but are also able to get their work done and learn something new. Seeing how much she enjoys her job and has a passion for it caused me to want to become a teacher more than ever. I plan to make an impact on the students by showing them how important it is to have an education, just like she does. I want them to believe in themselves and understand that they will be able to achieve great things. Going to college will help me get the education and knowledge I need to help make that happen. Through the blanks that can’t be filled with courses I take in college, I will use my creativity and clubs I join to learn more and bring myself closer to the type of teacher I wish to become. My volunteer head has also played a role in my drive to become a teacher. I aspire to become a teacher because I want to make a change in children's lives. I want them to be able to enjoy learning and understand that it can also be fun. I gained more knowledge on the roles and responsibilities of a teacher by volunteering as a teacher's assistant for 1st and 2nd graders. I was able to learn more than I thought I would during the few months I was helping out at the elementary school. It was of immense help to directly watch a teacher in action. My only wish is that I would've remembered to take notes when she gave me tips and advice. Aside from that, there were many factors in the experience that stuck with me. My experiences with volunteering at a preschool and middle school have shaped me as an individual who is ready to go out into the world and share my knowledge so that others can have a passion for learning too.

My mother has played a major role in why I want to become a teacher. There was always a small part of me that knew I was made to teach, but I was hesitant. I was able to gain better insight on whether being a teacher was the right fit for me when my mother became a teacher herself. I would always hear about how much both she and her students have fun in the class but are also able to get their work done and learn something new. Seeing how much she enjoys her job and has a passion for it caused me to want to become a teacher more than ever. I plan to make an impact on the students by showing them how important it is to have an education. I want them to believe in themselves and understand that they will be able to achieve great things, just like she teaches her students. Going to college will help me get the education and knowledge I need to help make that happen. Through the blanks that can’t be filled with courses I take in college, I will use my creativity and the clubs I joined to learn more and bring myself closer to the type of teacher I wish to become. I see the good that my mother does in other students' lives, and it gives me the desire and motivation to do the same. My volunteer head has also played a role in my drive to become a teacher. I aspire to become a teacher because I want to make a change in children's lives. I want them to be able to enjoy learning and understand that it can also be fun. I gained more knowledge on the roles and responsibilities of a teacher by volunteering as a teacher's assistant for 1st and 2nd graders. I was able to learn more than I thought I would during the few months I was helping out at the elementary school. It was of immense help to directly watch a teacher in action. My only wish is that I would've remembered to take notes when she gave me tips and advice. Besides that, there were many factors in the experience that stuck with me. During my time volunteering there, I was able to put my knowledge of what I learned into action. One day, I was asked to substitute for the kindergarten class. I immediately agreed, seeing it as the perfect opportunity to put my knowledge of what I learned to use. I would also use it as a catalyst to identify my strengths and weaknesses. I have learned plenty from substituting that one class and hope to have another opportunity like that. I look forward to the future and can’t wait to start my career as a future teacher.

During my junior year, I worked as a teacher’s assistant. I worked with the first and second graders and it’s safe to say that they were a handful as expected. But I didn’t mind the rowdy children. I plan to become a kindergarten teacher, therefore, I wanted to get used to the atmosphere of dealing with children. Volunteering there was definitely an experience I won’t forget. I learned so much during that short amount of time. I also believe I contributed greatly when helping the teacher. She was very grateful for my help at the school and reluctant to see me leave. At first, I didn’t think I was of immense help when I was working with the kids, but she convinced me otherwise. There was one kid who I had to work with as part of my volunteer work. The little boy was from Brazil and didn’t know any English or how to read. The teacher tasked me with helping him learn how to read and write. I thought she was asking me to do an impossible feat, but I tried my hand at it. A few weeks later, the teacher came to me and told me how much better the little boy was getting with both my guidance and the help of his classmates. That made me feel a sense of accomplishment. I realized I am able to help others and do a good job with teaching. That motivated me to help all the other kids in that class who needed extra attention. Even if I wasn’t able to completely help the students with their reading skills, I wanted them to have a love for learning and gaining knowledge. That dream showed through when the students would always jump at the chance to be the first one to read when it was reading time. Watching how the teachers handled the kids, and the rules they put in place, helped me to have a better understanding of how I should be as a future teacher. I want to be the type of teacher that helps kids while also making sure they enjoy learning new things. My experience with working at the elementary school was of immense help by allowing me to see the goal I need to achieve. It showed me how I wish to start now and continue to my adult years with helping children in need of guidance.

During my junior year, I worked as a teacher’s assistant. I worked with the first and second graders and it’s safe to say that they were a handful as expected. But I didn’t mind the rowdy children. I plan to become a kindergarten teacher, therefore, I wanted to get used to the atmosphere of dealing with children. Volunteering there was definitely an experience I won’t forget. I learned so much during that short amount of time. I also believe I contributed greatly when helping the teacher. She was very grateful for my help at the school and reluctant to see me leave. At first, I didn’t think I was of immense help when I was working with the kids, but she convinced me otherwise. There was one kid who I had to work with as part of my volunteer work. The little boy was from Brazil and didn’t know any English or how to read. The teacher tasked me with helping him learn how to read and write. I thought she was asking me to do an impossible feat, but I tried my hand at it. A few weeks later, the teacher came to me and told me how much better the little boy was getting with both my guidance and the help of his classmates. That made me feel a sense of accomplishment. I realized I am able to help others and do a good job with teaching. That motivated me to help all the other kids in that class who needed extra attention. Even if I wasn’t able to completely help the students with their reading skills, I wanted them to have a love for learning and gaining knowledge. That dream showed through when the students would always jump at the chance to be the first one to read when it was reading time. Watching how the teachers handled the kids, and the rules they put in place, helped me to have a better understanding of how I should be as a future teacher. I want to be the type of teacher that helps kids while also making sure they enjoy learning new things. My experience with working at the elementary school was of immense help by allowing me to see the goal I need to achieve. It showed me how I wish to start now and continue to my adult years. My advice is that you should never be afraid to learn and try new things. Stepping out of your comfort zone opens a field of opportunities and skills you weren't aware you had. It's okay to make mistakes or fail; failure is a necessary step in the learning process. But come back from that failure and find a way to improve upon that mistake.

During my junior year, I worked as a teacher’s assistant. I worked with the first and second graders and it’s safe to say that they were a handful as expected. But I didn’t mind the rowdy children. I plan to become a kindergarten teacher, therefore, I wanted to get used to the atmosphere of dealing with children. Volunteering there was definitely an experience I won’t forget. I learned so much during that short amount of time. I also believe I contributed greatly when helping the teacher. She was very grateful for my help at the school and reluctant to see me leave. At first, I didn’t think I was of immense help when I was working with the kids, but she convinced me otherwise. There was one kid who I had to work with as part of my volunteer work. The little boy was from Brazil and didn’t know any English or how to read. The teacher tasked me with helping him learn how to read and write. I thought she was asking me to do an impossible feat, but I tried my hand at it. A few weeks later, the teacher came to me and told me how much better the little boy was getting with both my guidance and the help of his classmates. That made me feel a sense of accomplishment. I realized I am able to help others and do a good job with teaching. That motivated me to help all the other kids in that class who needed extra attention. Even if I wasn’t able to completely help the students with their reading skills, I wanted them to have a love for learning and gaining knowledge. That dream showed through when the students would always jump at the chance to be the first one to read when it was reading time. Watching how the teachers handled the kids, and the rules they put in place, helped me to have a better understanding of how I should be as a future teacher. I want to be the type of teacher that helps kids while also making sure they enjoy learning new things. My experience with working at the elementary school was of immense help by allowing me to see the goal I need to achieve. It showed me how I wish to start now and continue to my adult years with helping students in need.

My mother has played a major role in why I want to become a teacher. There was always a small part of me that knew I was made to teach, but I was hesitant. I was able to gain better insight on whether being a teacher was the right fit for me when my mother became a teacher herself. I would always hear about how much both she and her students have fun in the class but are also able to get their work done and learn something new. Seeing how much she enjoys her job and has a passion for it caused me to want to become a teacher more than ever. I plan to make an impact on the students by showing them how important it is to have an education. I want them to believe in themselves and understand that they will be able to achieve great things, just like she teaches her students. Going to college will help me get the education and knowledge I need to help make that happen. Through the blanks that can’t be filled with courses I take in college, I will use my creativity and the clubs I joined to learn more and bring myself closer to the type of teacher I wish to become. I see the good that my mother does in other students' lives, and it gives me the desire and motivation to do the same. My volunteer head has also played a role in my drive to become a teacher. I aspire to become a teacher because I want to make a change in children's lives. I want them to be able to enjoy learning and understand that it can also be fun. I gained more knowledge on the roles and responsibilities of a teacher by volunteering as a teacher's assistant for 1st and 2nd graders. I was able to learn more than I thought I would during the few months I was helping out at the elementary school. It was of immense help to directly watch a teacher in action. My only wish is that I would've remembered to take notes when she gave me tips and advice. Besides that, there were many factors in the experience that stuck with me. During my time volunteering there, I was able to put my knowledge of what I learned into action. One day, I was asked to substitute for the kindergarten class. I immediately agreed, seeing it as the perfect opportunity to put my knowledge of what I learned to use. I would also use it as a catalyst to identify my strengths and weaknesses. I have learned plenty from substituting that one class and hope to have another opportunity like that. I look forward to the future and can’t wait to start my career as a future teacher.

My mother has played a major role in why I want to become a teacher. There was always a small part of me that knew I was made to teach, but I was hesitant. I was able to gain better insight on whether being a teacher was the right fit for me when my mother became a teacher herself. I would always hear about how much both she and her students have fun in the class but are also able to get their work done and learn something new. Seeing how much she enjoys her job and has a passion for it caused me to want to become a teacher more than ever. I plan to make an impact on the students by showing them how important it is to have an education. I want them to believe in themselves and understand that they will be able to achieve great things, just like she teaches her students. Going to college will help me get the education and knowledge I need to help make that happen. Through the blanks that can’t be filled with courses I take in college, I will use my creativity and the clubs I joined to learn more and bring myself closer to the type of teacher I wish to become. I see the good that my mother does in other students' lives, and it gives me the desire and motivation to do the same. My volunteer head has also played a role in my drive to become a teacher. I aspire to become a teacher because I want to make a change in children's lives. I want them to be able to enjoy learning and understand that it can also be fun. I gained more knowledge on the roles and responsibilities of a teacher by volunteering as a teacher's assistant for 1st and 2nd graders. I was able to learn more than I thought I would during the few months I was helping out at the elementary school. It was of immense help to directly watch a teacher in action. My only wish is that I would've remembered to take notes when she gave me tips and advice. Besides that, there were many factors in the experience that stuck with me. During my time volunteering there, I was able to put my knowledge of what I learned into action. One day, I was asked to substitute for the kindergarten class. I immediately agreed, seeing it as the perfect opportunity to put my knowledge of what I learned to use. I would also use it as a catalyst to identify my strengths and weaknesses. I have learned plenty from substituting that one class and hope to have another opportunity like that. I look forward to the future and can’t wait to start my career as a future teacher.

My mother has played a major role in why I want to become a teacher. There was always a small part of me that knew I was made to teach, but I was hesitant. I was able to gain better insight on whether being a teacher was the right fit for me when my mother became a teacher herself. I would always hear about how much both she and her students have fun in the class but are also able to get their work done and learn something new. Seeing how much she enjoys her job and has a passion for it caused me to want to become a teacher more than ever. I plan to make an impact on the students by showing them how important it is to have an education. I want them to believe in themselves and understand that they will be able to achieve great things, just like she teaches her students. Going to college will help me get the education and knowledge I need to help make that happen. Through the blanks that can’t be filled with courses I take in college, I will use my creativity and the clubs I joined to learn more and bring myself closer to the type of teacher I wish to become. I see the good that my mother does in other students' lives, and it gives me the desire and motivation to do the same. My volunteer head has also played a role in my drive to become a teacher. I aspire to become a teacher because I want to make a change in children's lives. I want them to be able to enjoy learning and understand that it can also be fun. I gained more knowledge on the roles and responsibilities of a teacher by volunteering as a teacher's assistant for 1st and 2nd graders. I was able to learn more than I thought I would during the few months I was helping out at the elementary school. It was of immense help to directly watch a teacher in action. My only wish is that I would've remembered to take notes when she gave me tips and advice. Besides that, there were many factors in the experience that stuck with me. During my time volunteering there, I was able to put my knowledge of what I learned into action. One day, I was asked to substitute for the kindergarten class. I immediately agreed, seeing it as the perfect opportunity to put my knowledge of what I learned to use. I would also use it as a catalyst to identify my strengths and weaknesses. I have learned plenty from substituting that one class and hope to have another opportunity like that. I look forward to the future and can’t wait to start my career as a future teacher.

Becoming an elementary school teacher has always been a passion of mine, a path that will allow me to make a difference in the world. I am dedicated to my academic endeavors and this scholarship will help me achieve my dream of attending Southern Adventist University. I plan to obtain my bachelors degree in Liberal Arts Education, with the goal of teaching kindergartners after I procure my degree. The “Jerzee Foundation Scholarship” will assist me with avoiding the option of using student loans that many individuals need to resort to. I don’t want to spend years trying to pay off my student debt, so I am determined to collect the money needed through scholarships and the jobs I work. The $2,000 will go towards room and board because it will aid me greatly with my out of state college fees. I aspire to become a teacher because I want to make a change in children's lives. I want them to be able to enjoy learning and understand that it can also be fun. I gained more knowledge on the roles and responsibilities of a teacher by volunteering as a teacher's assistant for 1st and 2nd graders. I was able to learn more than I thought I would during the few months I was helping out at the elementary school. It was of immense help to directly watch a teacher in action. During my time volunteering at that elementary school, I was able to put my knowledge of what I learned into action without a teacher present. One day, I was asked to substitute for the kindergarten class at the place I was volunteering. I immediately agreed, seeing it as the perfect opportunity to put my knowledge of what I learned to use. I would also use it as a catalyst to identify my strengths and weaknesses. I have learned plenty from substituting that one class and hope to have another opportunity like that in the future. I will take what I learned from volunteering and substituting those classes then apply it to my future experiences as a teacher. As a student, I will continue to strive to do well academically. Through highschool, I maintained a high GPA and finished with a 3.9, earning the Magna Cum Laude cord. I am determined to do just as well in my studies during my college years. This scholarship will allow me to be able to focus on my studies without worrying about the financial burdens of tuition, books, and other expenses. I will be able to focus on my health, my social life, and my passion for gaining more knowledge towards my future career. This scholarship is not just an opportunity for me to further my studies, but a way that helps set me up for a more successful future. I will continue to work hard, be a responsible student, and make the most out of the opportunities that come across my path. I look forward to the future and can’t wait to start my career as a future teacher.

My mother has played a major role in why I want to become a teacher. There was always a small part of me that knew I was made to teach, but I was hesitant. I was able to gain better insight on whether being a teacher was the right fit for me when my mother became a teacher herself. I would always hear about how much both she and her students have fun in the class but are also able to get their work done and learn something new. Seeing how much she enjoys her job and has a passion for it caused me to want to become a teacher more than ever. I plan to make an impact on the students by showing them how important it is to have an education. I want them to believe in themselves and understand that they will be able to achieve great things, just like she teaches her students. Going to college will help me get the education and knowledge I need to help make that happen. Through the blanks that can’t be filled with courses I take in college, I will use my creativity and the clubs I joined to learn more and bring myself closer to the type of teacher I wish to become. I see the good that my mother does in other students' lives, and it gives me the desire and motivation to do the same. My volunteer head has also played a role in my drive to become a teacher. I aspire to become a teacher because I want to make a change in children's lives. I want them to be able to enjoy learning and understand that it can also be fun. I gained more knowledge on the roles and responsibilities of a teacher by volunteering as a teacher's assistant for 1st and 2nd graders. I was able to learn more than I thought I would during the few months I was helping out at the elementary school. It was of immense help to directly watch a teacher in action. My only wish is that I would've remembered to take notes when she gave me tips and advice. Besides that, there were many factors in the experience that stuck with me. During my time volunteering there, I was able to put my knowledge of what I learned into action. One day, I was asked to substitute for the kindergarten class. I immediately agreed, seeing it as the perfect opportunity to put my knowledge of what I learned to use. I would also use it as a catalyst to identify my strengths and weaknesses. I have learned plenty from substituting that one class and hope to have another opportunity like that. I look forward to the future and can’t wait to start my career as a future teacher.

My mother has played a major role in why I want to become a teacher. There was always a small part of me that knew I was made to teach, but I was hesitant. I was able to gain better insight on whether being a teacher was the right fit for me when my mother became a teacher herself. I would always hear about how much both she and her students have fun in the class but are also able to get their work done and learn something new. Seeing how much she enjoys her job and has a passion for it caused me to want to become a teacher more than ever. I plan to make an impact on the students by showing them how important it is to have an education. I want them to believe in themselves and understand that they will be able to achieve great things, just like she teaches her students. Going to college will help me get the education and knowledge I need to help make that happen. Through the blanks that can’t be filled with courses I take in college, I will use my creativity and the clubs I joined to learn more and bring myself closer to the type of teacher I wish to become. I see the good that my mother does in other students' lives, and it gives me the desire and motivation to do the same. My volunteer head has also played a role in my drive to become a teacher. I aspire to become a teacher because I want to make a change in children's lives. I want them to be able to enjoy learning and understand that it can also be fun. I gained more knowledge on the roles and responsibilities of a teacher by volunteering as a teacher's assistant for 1st and 2nd graders. I was able to learn more than I thought I would during the few months I was helping out at the elementary school. It was of immense help to directly watch a teacher in action. My only wish is that I would've remembered to take notes when she gave me tips and advice. Besides that, there were many factors in the experience that stuck with me. During my time volunteering there, I was able to put my knowledge of what I learned into action. One day, I was asked to substitute for the kindergarten class. I immediately agreed, seeing it as the perfect opportunity to put my knowledge of what I learned to use. I would also use it as a catalyst to identify my strengths and weaknesses. I have learned plenty from substituting that one class and hope to have another opportunity like that. I look forward to the future and can’t wait to start my career as a future teacher.

I am grateful for the opportunity to apply to the "Carol B. Warren, You Are Loved Scholarship" and will take this time to explain why I am considered a non-traditional student. I am planning to study at a university, majoring in elementary education. One thing about me is that I am always willing and ready to learn from my classmates. I enjoy soaking up the knowledge I gain and then teaching it to other individuals. My mother has played a major role in why I want to become a teacher, and going through college is a means to achieving that dream. My mom is a teacher, and I always hear about how much both she and the students have fun in the class but are also able to get their work done and learn something new. Seeing how much she enjoys her job and has a passion for it caused me to want to become a teacher more than ever. I plan to make an impact on the students by showing them how important it is to have an education, just like she does. I want them to believe in themselves and understand that they will be able to achieve great things. Going to college will help me get the education and knowledge I need to help make that happen. Through the blanks that can’t be filled with courses I take in college, I will use my creativity and clubs I join to learn more and bring myself closer to the type of teacher I wish to become.  My volunteer head has also played a role in my drive to become a teacher. I aspire to become a teacher because I want to make a change in children's lives. I want them to be able to enjoy learning and understand that it can also be fun. I gained more knowledge on the roles and responsibilities of a teacher by volunteering as a teacher's assistant for 1st and 2nd graders. I was able to learn more than I thought I would during the few months I was helping out at the elementary school. It was of immense help to directly watch a teacher in action. My only wish is that I would've remembered to take notes when she gave me tips and advice. Aside from that, there were many factors in the experience that stuck with me. My experiences with volunteering at a preschool and middle school have shaped me as an individual who is ready to go out into the world and share my knowledge so that others can have a passion for learning too.

My mother has played a major role in why I want to become a teacher. There was always a small part of me that knew I was made to teach, but I was hesitant. I was able to gain better insight on whether being a teacher was the right fit for me when my mother became a teacher herself. I would always hear about how much both she and her students have fun in the class but are also able to get their work done and learn something new. Seeing how much she enjoys her job and has a passion for it caused me to want to become a teacher more than ever. I plan to make an impact on the students by showing them how important it is to have an education. I want them to believe in themselves and understand that they will be able to achieve great things, just like she teaches her students. Going to college will help me get the education and knowledge I need to help make that happen. Through the blanks that can’t be filled with courses I take in college, I will use my creativity and the clubs I joined to learn more and bring myself closer to the type of teacher I wish to become. I see the good that my mother does in other students' lives, and it gives me the desire and motivation to do the same. My volunteer head has also played a role in my drive to become a teacher. I aspire to become a teacher because I want to make a change in children's lives. I want them to be able to enjoy learning and understand that it can also be fun. I gained more knowledge on the roles and responsibilities of a teacher by volunteering as a teacher's assistant for 1st and 2nd graders. I was able to learn more than I thought I would during the few months I was helping out at the elementary school. It was of immense help to directly watch a teacher in action. My only wish is that I would've remembered to take notes when she gave me tips and advice. Besides that, there were many factors in the experience that stuck with me. During my time volunteering there, I was able to put my knowledge of what I learned into action. One day, I was asked to substitute for the kindergarten class. I immediately agreed, seeing it as the perfect opportunity to put my knowledge of what I learned to use. I would also use it as a catalyst to identify my strengths and weaknesses. I have learned plenty from substituting that one class and hope to have another opportunity like that. I look forward to the future and can’t wait to start my career as a future teacher.

In my perspective, empowerment means someone who motivates me to do achieve my dreams. Someone who is a stronghold in my life that supports me. My mother has played a major role in why I want to become a teacher. There was always a small part of me that knew I was made to teach, but I was hesitant. I was able to gain better insight on whether being a teacher was the right fit for me when my mother became a teacher herself. I would always hear about how much both she and her students have fun in the class but are also able to get their work done and learn something new. Seeing how much she enjoys her job and has a passion for it caused me to want to become a teacher more than ever. I plan to make an impact on the students by showing them how important it is to have an education. I want them to believe in themselves and understand that they will be able to achieve great things, just like she teaches her students. Going to college will help me get the education and knowledge I need to help make that happen. Through the blanks that can’t be filled with courses I take in college, I will use my creativity and the clubs I joined to learn more and bring myself closer to the type of teacher I wish to become. I see the good that my mother does in other students' lives, and it gives me the desire and motivation to do the same. My volunteer head has also played a role in my drive to become a teacher. I aspire to become a teacher because I want to make a change in children's lives. I want them to be able to enjoy learning and understand that it can also be fun. I gained more knowledge on the roles and responsibilities of a teacher by volunteering as a teacher's assistant for 1st and 2nd graders. I was able to learn more than I thought I would during the few months I was helping out at the elementary school. It was of immense help to directly watch a teacher in action. My only wish is that I would've remembered to take notes when she gave me tips and advice. Besides that, there were many factors in the experience that stuck with me. During my time volunteering there, I was able to put my knowledge of what I learned into action. One day, I was asked to substitute for the kindergarten class. I immediately agreed, seeing it as the perfect opportunity to put my knowledge of what I learned to use. I would also use it as a catalyst to identify my strengths and weaknesses. I have learned plenty from substituting that one class and hope to have another opportunity like that. I look forward to the future and can’t wait to start my career as a future teacher. Both of those important model figures in my life, have empowered me to follow my dreams. Thanks to my mother and volunteer coach, I plan to never give up on my aspirations.

My mother has played a major role in why I want to become a teacher. There was always a small part of me that knew I was made to teach, but I was hesitant. I was able to gain better insight on whether being a teacher was the right fit for me when my mother became a teacher herself. I would always hear about how much both she and her students have fun in the class but are also able to get their work done and learn something new. Seeing how much she enjoys her job and has a passion for it caused me to want to become a teacher more than ever. I plan to make an impact on the students by showing them how important it is to have an education. I want them to believe in themselves and understand that they will be able to achieve great things, just like she teaches her students. Going to college will help me get the education and knowledge I need to help make that happen. Through the blanks that can’t be filled with courses I take in college, I will use my creativity and the clubs I joined to learn more and bring myself closer to the type of teacher I wish to become. I see the good that my mother does in other students' lives, and it gives me the desire and motivation to do the same. My volunteer head has also played a role in my drive to become a teacher. I aspire to become a teacher because I want to make a change in children's lives. I want them to be able to enjoy learning and understand that it can also be fun. I gained more knowledge on the roles and responsibilities of a teacher by volunteering as a teacher's assistant for 1st and 2nd graders. I was able to learn more than I thought I would during the few months I was helping out at the elementary school. It was of immense help to directly watch a teacher in action. My only wish is that I would've remembered to take notes when she gave me tips and advice. Besides that, there were many factors in the experience that stuck with me. During my time volunteering there, I was able to put my knowledge of what I learned into action. One day, I was asked to substitute for the kindergarten class. I immediately agreed, seeing it as the perfect opportunity to put my knowledge of what I learned to use. I would also use it as a catalyst to identify my strengths and weaknesses. I have learned plenty from substituting that one class and hope to have another opportunity like that. I look forward to the future and can’t wait to start my career as a future teacher.

My mother has played a major role in why I want to become a teacher. There was always a small part of me that knew I was made to teach, but I was hesitant. I was able to gain better insight on whether being a teacher was the right fit for me when my mother became a teacher herself. I would always hear about how much both she and her students have fun in the class but are also able to get their work done and learn something new. Seeing how much she enjoys her job and has a passion for it caused me to want to become a teacher more than ever. I plan to make an impact on the students by showing them how important it is to have an education. I want them to believe in themselves and understand that they will be able to achieve great things, just like she teaches her students. Going to college will help me get the education and knowledge I need to help make that happen. Through the blanks that can’t be filled with courses I take in college, I will use my creativity and the clubs I joined to learn more and bring myself closer to the type of teacher I wish to become. I see the good that my mother does in other students' lives, and it gives me the desire and motivation to do the same. My volunteer head has also played a role in my drive to become a teacher. I aspire to become a teacher because I want to make a change in children's lives. I want them to be able to enjoy learning and understand that it can also be fun. I gained more knowledge on the roles and responsibilities of a teacher by volunteering as a teacher's assistant for 1st and 2nd graders. I was able to learn more than I thought I would during the few months I was helping out at the elementary school. It was of immense help to directly watch a teacher in action. My only wish is that I would've remembered to take notes when she gave me tips and advice. Besides that, there were many factors in the experience that stuck with me. During my time volunteering there, I was able to put my knowledge of what I learned into action. One day, I was asked to substitute for the kindergarten class. I immediately agreed, seeing it as the perfect opportunity to put my knowledge of what I learned to use. I would also use it as a catalyst to identify my strengths and weaknesses. I have learned plenty from substituting that one class and hope to have another opportunity like that. I look forward to the future and can’t wait to start my career as a future teacher.

This is a story about my time working at a preschool, but it’s really about a glimpse of how I actively contributed to my community and will continue to do so. In the summer I worked as a preschool aide. Every day I had to drive 30 minutes to get there, but I didn’t mind since it was my first job. The only issue was that I wasn't the biggest fan of kids. I believed working at the preschool would be a little exhausting, but I soon realized being with the little Hispanic kids who always greeted me when I came in, or who clung to my legs to get my attention, created a change of heart. There was one kid named Tony. He was a little too much for me. He liked to touch me while he was eating, which I found disgusting. I hated how he tried to put his food-infested hands on me. He was also very rough; he kept jumping on me and hitting me. He liked to pinch me with his sharp nails that almost seemed sharper than a cat’s claw. When I told him it hurt, he seemed to enjoy my suffering and kept digging his nails into me. I began to picture him as a little devil with horns and a mischievous smirk. Over time, however, I learned that you have to be more strict with kids. I started to show Tony that I meant business and he soon began to respect me more. I felt a sense of accomplishment when I was able to put my foot down and make him understand that I didn’t like what he was doing. I taught him that there was a way for him to have fun without being abusive. My only hope is that he will apply the things I taught him to others so that the cycle won’t continue. Although they didn’t understand it instantly, through patience, I made sure that they could acknowledge and apply it to not only me but others. Doing this job also helped me to be less adverse to kids. I learned to accept children, even the messy parts of them. I plan to become a kindergarten teacher after college. Watching how the teachers handled the kids, and the rules they put in place, helped me to have a better understanding of how I should be as a future teacher. I want to be the type of teacher that helps kids while also making sure they enjoy learning new things. My experience with working at the preschool was of immense help by allowing me to see the goal I need to achieve. It showed me how I wish to start now and continue to my adult years.

This is a story about my time working at a preschool, but it’s really about a glimpse of how I overcame adversity. The summer of my junior year, I worked as a preschool aide. Every day I had to drive 30 minutes to get there, but I didn’t mind since it was my first job. The only issue was that I wasn't the biggest fan of kids. I believed working at the preschool would be a little exhausting, but I soon realized being with the little Hispanic kids who always greeted me when I came in, or who clung to my legs to get my attention, created a change of heart. There was one kid named Tony. He was a little too much for me. He liked to touch me while he was eating, which I found disgusting. I hated how he tried to put his food-infested hands on me. He was also very rough; he kept jumping on me and hitting me. He liked to pinch me with his sharp nails that almost seemed sharper than a cat’s claw. When I told him it hurt, he seemed to enjoy my suffering and kept digging his nails into me. I began to picture him as a little devil with horns and a mischievous smirk. Over time, however, I learned that you have to be more strict with kids. I started to show Tony that I meant business and he soon began to respect me more. I felt a sense of accomplishment when I was able to put my foot down and make him understand that I didn’t like what he was doing. I taught him that there was a way for him to have fun without being abusive. My only hope is that he will apply the things I taught him to others so that the cycle won’t continue. Not only was I able to teach Tony, but I also learned patience. I thought I was very patient until I met the kids at the preschool. Working there was like opening a door to another world. I learned that I was a human chair. Whenever I sat down, the kids would take that as an invitation to sit on me. One moment you’re sitting down peacefully, the next, you feel this heavy weight on your lap. Your body no longer becomes your own. You are their plaything as soon as you walk through that door. I had to learn to set boundaries and show them that I am a teacher that is meant to guide them, but also be someone they can have fun with at an appropriate time. Although they didn’t understand it instantly, through patience, I made sure that they could acknowledge and apply it to not only me but others. Doing this job also helped me to be less adverse to kids. I learned to accept children, even the messy parts of them. I plan to become a kindergarten teacher after college. Watching how the teachers handled the kids, and the rules they put in place, helped me to have a better understanding of how I should be as a future teacher. I want to be the type of teacher that helps kids while also making sure they enjoy learning new things. My experience with working at the preschool was of immense help by allowing me to see the goal I need to achieve. It showed me how I wish to start now and continue to my adult years.

This is a story about my time working at a preschool, but it’s really about a glimpse of what my future will look like as I make a positive impact on others through my career. The summer of my junior year, I worked as a preschool aide. Every day I had to drive 30 minutes to get there, but I didn’t mind since it was my first job. The only issue was that I wasn't the biggest fan of kids. I believed working at the preschool would be a little exhausting, but I soon realized being with the little Hispanic kids who always greeted me when I came in, or who clung to my legs to get my attention, created a change of heart. There was one kid named Tony. He was a little too much for me. He liked to touch me while he was eating, which I found disgusting. I hated how he tried to put his food-infested hands on me. He was also very rough; he kept jumping on me and hitting me. He liked to pinch me with his sharp nails that almost seemed sharper than a cat’s claw. When I told him it hurt, he seemed to enjoy my suffering and kept digging his nails into me. I began to picture him as a little devil with horns and a mischievous smirk. Over time, however, I learned that you have to be more strict with kids. I started to show Tony that I meant business and he soon began to respect me more. I felt a sense of accomplishment when I was able to put my foot down and make him understand that I didn’t like what he was doing. I taught him that there was a way for him to have fun without being abusive. My only hope is that he will apply the things I taught him to others so that the cycle won’t continue. Not only was I able to teach Tony, but I also learned patience. I thought I was very patient until I met the kids at the preschool. Working there was like opening a door to another world. I learned that I was a human chair. Whenever I sat down, the kids would take that as an invitation to sit on me. One moment you’re sitting down peacefully, the next, you feel this heavy weight on your lap. Your body no longer becomes your own. You are their plaything as soon as you walk through that door. I had to learn to set boundaries and show them that I am a teacher that is meant to guide them, but also be someone they can have fun with at an appropriate time. Although they didn’t understand it instantly, through patience, I made sure that they could acknowledge and apply it to not only me but others. I plan to become a kindergarten teacher after college. Watching how the teachers handled the kids, and the rules they put in place, helped me to have a better understanding of how I should be as a future teacher. I want to be the type of teacher that helps kids while also making sure they enjoy learning new things. My experience with working at the preschool was of immense help by allowing me to see the goal I need to achieve. It showed me how I wish to start now and continue to my adult years. I want to raise students who enjoy learning, while applying it to their lives in the future.

This is a story about my time working at a preschool, but it’s really about a glimpse of how I learned to be a leader. The summer of my junior year, I worked as a preschool aide. Every day I had to drive 30 minutes to get there, but I didn’t mind since it was my first job. The only issue was that I wasn't the biggest fan of kids. I believed working at the preschool would be a little exhausting, but I soon realized being with the little Hispanic kids who always greeted me when I came in, or who clung to my legs to get my attention, created a change of heart. There was one kid named Tony. He was a little too much for me. He liked to touch me while he was eating, which I found disgusting. I hated how he tried to put his food-infested hands on me. He was also very rough; he kept jumping on me and hitting me. He liked to pinch me with his sharp nails that almost seemed sharper than a cat’s claw. When I told him it hurt, he seemed to enjoy my suffering and kept digging his nails into me. I began to picture him as a little devil with horns and a mischievous smirk. Over time, however, I learned that you have to be more strict with kids. I started to show Tony that I meant business and he soon began to respect me more. I felt a sense of accomplishment when I was able to put my foot down and make him understand that I didn’t like what he was doing. I taught him that there was a way for him to have fun without being abusive. My only hope is that he will apply the things I taught him to others so that the cycle won’t continue. Not only was I able to teach Tony, but I also learned patience. I thought I was very patient until I met the kids at the preschool. Working there was like opening a door to another world. I learned that I was a human chair. Whenever I sat down, the kids would take that as an invitation to sit on me. One moment you’re sitting down peacefully, the next, you feel this heavy weight on your lap. Your body no longer becomes your own. You are their plaything as soon as you walk through that door. I had to learn to set boundaries and show them that I am a teacher that is meant to guide them, but also be someone they can have fun with at an appropriate time. Although they didn’t understand it instantly, through patience, I made sure that they could acknowledge and apply it to not only me but others. Doing this job also helped me to be less adverse to kids. I learned to accept children, even the messy parts of them. I even start to find them adorable. I plan to become a kindergarten teacher after college. Watching how the teachers handled the kids, and the rules they put in place, helped me to have a better understanding of how I should be as a future teacher. I want to be the type of teacher that helps kids while also making sure they enjoy learning new things. My experience with working at the preschool was of immense help by allowing me to see the goal I need to achieve. It showed me how I wish to start now and continue to my adult years.

This is a story about my time working at a preschool, but it’s really about a glimpse of what my future will look like. The summer of my junior year, I worked as a preschool aide. Every day I had to drive 30 minutes to get there, but I didn’t mind since it was my first job. The only issue was that I wasn't the biggest fan of kids. I believed working at the preschool would be a little exhausting, but I soon realized being with the little Hispanic kids who always greeted me when I came in, or who clung to my legs to get my attention, created a change of heart. There was one kid named Tony. He was a little too much for me. He liked to touch me while he was eating, which I found disgusting. I hated how he tried to put his food-infested hands on me. He was also very rough; he kept jumping on me and hitting me. He liked to pinch me with his sharp nails that almost seemed sharper than a cat’s claw. When I told him it hurt, he seemed to enjoy my suffering and kept digging his nails into me. I began to picture him as a little devil with horns and a mischievous smirk. Over time, however, I learned that you have to be more strict with kids. I started to show Tony that I meant business and he soon began to respect me more. I felt a sense of accomplishment when I was able to put my foot down and make him understand that I didn’t like what he was doing. I taught him that there was a way for him to have fun without being abusive. My only hope is that he will apply the things I taught him to others so that the cycle won’t continue. Not only was I able to teach Tony, but I also learned patience. I thought I was very patient until I met the kids at the preschool. Working there was like opening a door to another world. I learned that I was a human chair. Whenever I sat down, the kids would take that as an invitation to sit on me. One moment you’re sitting down peacefully, the next, you feel this heavy weight on your lap. Your body no longer becomes your own. You are their plaything as soon as you walk through that door. I had to learn to set boundaries and show them that I am a teacher that is meant to guide them, but also be someone they can have fun with at an appropriate time. Although they didn’t understand it instantly, through patience, I made sure that they could acknowledge and apply it to not only me but others. Doing this job also helped me to be less adverse to kids. I learned to accept children, even the messy parts of them. I plan to become a kindergarten teacher after college. Watching how the teachers handled the kids, and the rules they put in place, helped me to have a better understanding of how I should be as a future teacher. I want to be the type of teacher that helps kids while also making sure they enjoy learning new things. My experience with working at the preschool was of immense help by allowing me to see the goal I need to achieve. It showed me how I wish to start now and continue to my adult years.

This is a story about my time working at a preschool, but it’s really about a glimpse of what my future will look like. The summer of my junior year, I worked as a preschool aide. Every day I had to drive 30 minutes to get there, but I didn’t mind since it was my first job. The only issue was that I wasn't the biggest fan of kids. I believed working at the preschool would be a little exhausting, but I soon realized being with the little Hispanic kids who always greeted me when I came in, or who clung to my legs to get my attention, created a change of heart. There was one kid named Tony. He was a little too much for me. He liked to touch me while he was eating, which I found disgusting. I hated how he tried to put his food-infested hands on me. He was also very rough; he kept jumping on me and hitting me. He liked to pinch me with his sharp nails that almost seemed sharper than a cat’s claw. When I told him it hurt, he seemed to enjoy my suffering and kept digging his nails into me. I began to picture him as a little devil with horns and a mischievous smirk. Over time, however, I learned that you have to be more strict with kids. I started to show Tony that I meant business and he soon began to respect me more. I felt a sense of accomplishment when I was able to put my foot down and make him understand that I didn’t like what he was doing. I taught him that there was a way for him to have fun without being abusive. My only hope is that he will apply the things I taught him to others so that the cycle won’t continue. Not only was I able to teach Tony, but I also learned patience. I thought I was very patient until I met the kids at the preschool. Working there was like opening a door to another world. I learned that I was a human chair. Whenever I sat down, the kids would take that as an invitation to sit on me. One moment you’re sitting down peacefully, the next, you feel this heavy weight on your lap. Your body no longer becomes your own. You are their plaything as soon as you walk through that door. I had to learn to set boundaries and show them that I am a teacher that is meant to guide them, but also be someone they can have fun with at an appropriate time. Although they didn’t understand it instantly, through patience, I made sure that they could acknowledge and apply it to not only me but others. Doing this job also helped me to be less adverse to kids. I learned to accept children, even the messy parts of them. I plan to become a kindergarten teacher after college. Watching how the teachers handled the kids, and the rules they put in place, helped me to have a better understanding of how I should be as a future teacher. I want to be the type of teacher that helps kids while also making sure they enjoy learning new things. My experience with working at the preschool was of immense help by allowing me to see the goal I need to achieve. It showed me how I wish to start now and continue to my adult years.