I am passionate about teaching in the special education profession because it allows me to make a meaningful difference on the lives of students who might the need extra support to recognize their own strengths and abilities. Every child deserves to feel seen, valued, and capable of their own success. Special education teachers have the opportunity to help students grow academically, socially, and emotionally while celebrating them in the unique ways that they learn. I am drawn to this profession because it combines patience, creativity, compassion, and advocacy in order to help the students reach their fullest potential. Professor Harold Bloom’s statement means that teaching is not only about giving information, but also about helping students discover who they are, what they can do, and the value that they can bring to this world. A “sense of their own presence” means that students develop confidence, self-awareness, and an understanding that their voice matters to me and others. For special needs students these kinds of things can be especially important because some may struggle with self-esteem or feel overlooked. My role as a teacher would be to create a safe and supportive environment where students feel encouraged to express themselves, take risks, and recognize their own progress. My mission would be to guide students toward independence and confidence by meeting each child where they are and helping them grow step by step. I would use individualized teaching strategies, positive reinforcement, and opportunities for students to make choices and share their ideas. I would celebrate every success, no matter how small, so students can see their own growth and believe in their abilities. By building trusting relationships and focusing on their strengths, I would help my students experience a true sense of their own presence as capable, important, and valued individuals. In addition, I would work closely with families, support staff, and other educators to ensure each student receives consistent encouragement both inside and outside the classroom. Strong partnerships can help students feel supported in every area of their lives. I would also teach life skills such as communication, problem-solving, and self-advocacy so students can become more independent and confident in their future. My ultimate goal would be to empower students to understand that they are valuable, capable, and able to contribute meaningfully to their communities. I believe every student has potential, and it is a teacher’s responsibility to help that potential shine. By showing patience, kindness, and belief in my students, I can inspire them to believe in themselves as well.

My name is Kamryn Reese and what lead me to this field was how much of a lasting impact I could make on the students I will be able to teach and help learn. My mom is an RTI teacher and I have loved being in the environment of helping others achieve their goals and keep up with their classmates. Though she did not teach special needs students it was quite similar to what I wanted to do. I want to be a speech language pathologist and help those with special needs and struggles with their speech. I hope to make a lasting impact on those and help them for the real world so they can peruse their dreams and aspirations. I plan to make a difference in the lives of those who have special needs by being patient, understanding, and supportive of their techniques and how they best learn with their unique abilities. I want be able to create inclusive environments where those students can feel valued, respected, and encouraged to reach their full potential. This can include helping them participate in activities when they want help, celebrating their progress in fun ways, and advocating for their accessibility and equal opportunities. Even just the small acts of kindness and consistency can make a meaningful impact in their daily lives. What I have learned from my volunteer experiences is the importance of empathy, flexibility, and communication. I’ve seen that every individual learns and responds to any and each situation differently, so it is important to adjust my approach and meet them where they are at. I have also learned that building trust can take time, but it leads to a much stronger connection and positive interactions. These experiences have helped me become more patient and aware of the needs of others. As for the financial need aspect it is not a huge concern of mine but I am also trying to do the best I can paying for college. I am going to be a sophomore in college this coming August 2026. My father is a retired military veteran and some of his benefits help me, however I have a younger sister that I have to share those with. Therefore, I will have to pay for college on my own. While financial need is not a huge concern at the moment, I do still value the opportunities and support for my education and ability to be able to continue volunteering and growing in this field.

I am interested in pursuing a career in special education teaching because I want to make an impactful difference for the lives of younger people. Being a part of the education field will give me the power to shape how the children can see themselves and the world around them. I know that teachers in general play a significant role in helping the students with their academic content but also encouraging them to be the best version of themselves outside of just academics. I want to be the kind of teacher that my mom is, a person who created a classroom environment where students want to learn, feel valued, and feel supported. Every child deserves an equal opportunity to learn, grow, and feel valued. What draws me most to special education teaching is that I can make a meaningful difference in students' lives. A lot of students with disabilities are dealt with academic, social, and personal challenges that can make it harder to focus on their school work. If that student has a teacher who is patient and understanding it can change their experience. I strive to be that teacher so the students can strive in the classroom. I want to celebrate all of my future students' mini victories and help them every step of the way. My mom is an elementary school teacher and has been since before I was born. My mom was never my teacher but she has taught many grades and a lot of people I know had her as a teacher. It is warming to know that so many people, no matter where they are, say hi to my mom because she made such a big impact on their lives. My mom wanted to be a teacher because she had a teacher that was not very nice, my mom wanted to be the opposite of that teacher. Now I want to be a teacher because of how impactful my mom was on my life. I want to provide that same encouragement and guidance for my own future students one day. All in all, I want to be a special education teacher because I care deeply about supporting students who may need extra guidance and encouragement. Getting the chance to help students grow academically, socially, and emotionally would be incredibly rewarding for me. I want to create a classroom where students can feel safe and can easily achieve their goals.

I am interested in pursuing a career in teaching because I want to make an impactful difference for the lives of younger people. Education has the power to shape how the children can see themselves and the world around them. I know that teachers play a significant role in helping the students with their academic content but also encouraging them to be the best version of themselves outside of just academics. I want to be the kind of teacher that my mom is, a person who created a classroom environment where students want to learn, feel valued, and feel supported. Growing up I saw firsthand how much influence teachers have on a student's life. Some teachers just give you the information, others go the distance by truly carrying about students and their lives beyond the classroom. Good teachers change students' mindsets about school, their personal and academic goals, and their future. Seeing the impact my mom has had on her students has inspired me to pursue something in the education and teaching field. My mom is an elementary school teacher and has been since before I was born. My mom was never my teacher but she has taught many grades and a lot of people I know had her as a teacher. It is warming to know that so many people, no matter where they are, say hi to my mom because she made such a big impact on their lives. My mom wanted to be a teacher because she had a teacher that was not very nice, my mom wanted to be the opposite of that teacher. Now I want to be a teacher because of how impactful my mom was on my life. I want to provide that same encouragement and guidance for my own future students one day. I personally had some very great teachers that I have the opportunity to keep in touch with as I visit my mom at the elementary school and see those teachers. These teachers showed me my strengths and helped me where I had weaknesses and challenged me. I would not be where I am or wanting to pursue a career without these teachers or my mother. All in all, my goal as a teacher is to create a classroom where students feel safe to learn, ask questions, and express themselves. If I can help these students believe in themselves and reach their full potential the way my mom showed me, then I know that I have made a difference in their lives.

My experience with mental health has played a huge role in shaping my goals for life. It also has shaped the way I understand the world and how things happen around me. Similar to many people, I have learned that mental health affects just about every person in some way shape or form. I have created a deeper sense of empathy and awareness about how important emotional well-being is in your everyday life. You may be wondering how I can relate to this topic in order to show a deeper meaning on mental health. I was heavily involved with sports all my life since I was 5 years old. I have been involved in both my school and club teams for softball and volleyball. Being a student athlete alone requires a person to build up a strong mental health and well being. I was involved in clubs, sports, extracurriculars, and much more. During my senior year while I was in the post-season for volleyball, my uncle took his own life the morning of halloween. My uncle was 49 years old when he made this decision. Due to this personal experience I would really love to shed light on the importance of helping others and be someone they can talk to. When this happened in my life I had a volleyball game that night and a club meeting that morning. This goes to show you never know what people are going through and just how easy it is to hide it. These experiences have also shaped my relationship with others. I understand that everyone carries struggles that are not always on surface level. I try to approach people with more kindness and patience. I do my best to listen to people and recognize that sometimes the most meaningful thing you can do for someone is just truly being there for them. My experiences helped me appreciate the importance of a support system and being able to have open conversations about mental health. Most importantly, my experiences with mental health have shaped the way I see the world. It helped me see that everyone has their own story, experiences, and is fighting their own battles. This new perspective has made me more aware of the importance of being kind in our everyday interactions. I believe that when people feel more understood and supported that they are more capable of reaching the best point for their mental health. In the end, my experiences have made me stronger and given me a clearer sense of purpose. They have shown me that challenges lead to growth and that the understanding of mental health is an essential part of creating a supportive and kinder world.

As a child growing up with a parent in the military, it has shaped who I am greatly. My dad being in the military since before I was born meant that from a young age I learned the meaning of sacrifice and dedication. The military life often required a lot of flexibility and strength. This meant adapting to changes quickly, a lot of support for and from my family, and dealing with long periods of being apart. The military requires a great deal of resilience from not only the service member but the family as well. Having these experiences, I have been taught to stay optimistic during these times and appreciate the family and community I already had because the military can be very unpredictable. Being apart of a military family also helped me know one of the most meaningful lessons, maturity and independence. I developed these characteristics a lot faster than my peers. I am the oldest between me and my sister and when my dad was away I knew the importance of my responsibilities when helping my mother. Contributing to my family such as my father did for our country. I now value responsibility and hard work a lot more due to those experiences. My dad was not able to make it to a few of my birthdays in a row which made me see the importance of showing up when you can. I know my dad wanted to be there for me and if he had the chance he would have. I have stronger honor for my dad's service and knowing what he has done for our country. Knowing that my dad contributes to something much larger than himself shows the dedication and hard work he puts into his job and how he also inputs that into his daily life. Him showcasing this characteristic makes me want to make a similar meaningful contribution to my own community and for the people all around me. His example also has shown me that service and sacrifice are qualities that truly make a difference in how you see someone. Being the child of a military parent is not always easy, however, with the challenges that this life comes with it has given me a special perspective on life that not many people can enjoy. I will be able to carry these strength's of independence, discipline, and the importance of supporting others throughout my life. I am very proud of my dad's service and very grateful for the lessons he has taught me about the importance of serving others.