I never really envisioned myself standing at the front of a classroom. Growing up, becoming a teacher wasn't even on my radar. I grew up wanting to become an FBI profiler until my junior year of high school when I joined Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow (VTfT). I entered as a Level One. As I got my first real taste of the profession came during my internship at Old Donation School for Gifted Children. While the school itself was incredible, I struggled to find my footing there. Because of how late in the year I came into the classroom, combined with the specific age and academic dynamics of the gifted students, I found it difficult to truly connect with them. They were at that time of finding themselves they were comfortable with where they were at. Also not to mention 6th and 7th graders are a little scary, I felt like an outsider looking in, and at the time, it made me question whether education was the right path for me after all. But as any person with a passion, I continued to create my lessons as well as teach them and went on with my internship. Everything changed when I transitioned into my senior year and stepped up to VTfT Level Two. I entered the year with a renewed determination to learn more about the mechanics of teaching and to give the profession a real, honest chance. That was when I was placed at Newtown Elementary School with the 3rd graders, and my experience there completely transformed my outlook. My internship teacher was an absolute godsend, patiently showing me the ropes and giving me a front-row seat to the beautiful, chaotic, and deeply rewarding reality of being an elementary school teacher. Under her guidance, my heart grew fonder for teaching. The wall that had existed during my junior year completely vanished; these kids didn't just accept me, they embraced me, they grew comfortable with me. They grew so comfortable with me that they would eagerly pull me aside at recess to show me their latest dance routines, and the ultimate validation came when they included me in their heartfelt Teacher Appreciation cards, which I didn't think I deserved. But looking back, I originally thought my senior year of high school was going to be my absolute worst year mentally. The stress of the future, academic pressures, and personal struggles felt incredibly heavy. But in a beautiful twist of fate, it turned out to be the absolute best year of my life, entirely because of the hours I spent in that elementary classroom. Connecting with those students healed something in me and gave me a profound sense of purpose. It made me realize that teaching has been my true passion all along—even though I may have been completely blind to it all this time.

I always had a latent thought that teachers hold a significant power in shaping a child's life, and really, when you think about it, any adult can hold that power whether the child knows them or the mere interaction they might share with them, that the child may hold with them forever. In my experience, I've had two major influences that have made me want to pursue the education career field, both cases come from my experience in high school. My first was my art teacher, Ms. Walters. She has always encouraged me to take on the interest and to pursue art as a career interest. She has been my art teacher throughout my entire high school career someone I can talk to about my problems. She has become a leader and a mentor in my life. My second is Mrs. Naif. She teaches Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow. This class pulled me further into teaching and wanting to become a teacher. I originally took the class because I needed help with my public speaking and wanted to try something different. But within those two years of taking this class ( Junior year level 1, Senior year level 2 ( current year)) it has opened my eyes in such a unique way. It gives you a little insight into what your future may look like. I've been pulling small groups aside and doing mini-lessons with them and just being able to see them catch on and ask questions about the lesson or something completely off-topic, is something I find so special because it means they are engaged and curious, that they want and are willing to expand their knowledge. It's also the aspect of them being able to open up to you. It lets you know that they're comfortable with you, that you have become someone to them, more than "just a teacher", some that they can confide in. I can confidently say that since my sophomore year I have been prepping myself for the careers to choose from, as well as slowly slipping into the education field. My junior year, I joined Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow, as I previously stated that I joined to help with my public speaking ( I wanted to be a criminal defense lawyer). As I continued with the class, I have learned from the k-12 class, unfair education systems between women and men and blacks and whites, the special education system, the history of special education, and more. This class has taught me so much and with the opportunities to intern at Old Donation school for gifted children and Newtown elementary. Just being able to shadow these teachers and experiencing the behind the scenes of a teacher's daily schedule first hand has prepped me in so many ways, as well as experiencing the contrast between the two schools, education levels, and the courses. It has definitely given me a perspective of the future and given me some leeway. Furthering my education will give me more insight as well as grow more in myself, learning not what I can gain, but how can I give? How can I give back? How can I lead the children of the future? I want to make a difference. In order for me to give back, I have to give to myself, expand my knowledge, because sometimes it's more than being a teacher; it's being a parent, nurse, detective, and therapist. We have to be these things in order to show up for them.