When I think about why I want to become a teacher, the first person who comes to mind is Ms. McGrady. She wasn’t just my teacher; she was the person who helped me through one of the hardest times in my life. Her kindness, patience, and ability to make me feel seen and heard inspired me to follow in her footsteps. I want to be that kind of person for my future students, someone who shows up for them, believes in them, and helps them realize how much they matter. My love for teaching started early. As a little girl, I would gather my younger sister, stuffed animals, and toys and pretend I had a classroom. I didn’t know it then, but even at that age, I saw teaching as something powerful, something that could bring people together and make a real difference. But my path toward becoming a teacher wasn’t always easy. During my early school years, I went through a really tough time. I felt lost, invisible, and disconnected from the people around me. I became very quiet, almost like a different person from the bubbly, outgoing child I used to be. I kept everything inside, and honestly, I don’t think many people noticed how much I was struggling. That changed when I met Ms. McGrady. While most students knew her as the “fun teacher,” to me, she was much more. She noticed me when others didn’t. She picked up on the small signs that something was wrong and offered me a safe space when I didn’t know how to ask for help. Instead of pushing me to talk, she simply made herself available letting me stay in her classroom during recess, listening when I needed it, and just being present. What stood out the most was how much she cared, even when she was busy. No matter how many papers she had to grade or tasks she had to do, she always made time for me. That kind of compassion had a huge impact on me. She helped me feel like I mattered again and reminded me that I wasn’t alone. Slowly, I started to find my confidence again. Because of her, I realized how powerful a teacher can be. Teachers do so much more than just teach, they guide, support, and lift up their students, sometimes in ways they may not even realize. That’s the kind of teacher I want to be. I want to build a classroom where every student feels welcomed, understood, and encouraged to be their best self. I’ve carried those lessons with me into everything I do, especially as I prepare for a career in education. I’ve volunteered with kids and spent time helping students with different learning needs, and I always try to lead with empathy and patience just like Ms. McGrady did for me. In the future, I plan to use creative teaching strategies like hands-on projects, group discussions, and real-world problem solving to make learning fun and meaningful. I know that every student learns differently, so I want to use different approaches to meet them where they are. More than anything, I want my students to feel safe and supported in my classroom, no matter what they’re going through. I also want to be someone they can talk to. Just like Ms. McGrady made time for me. I want to be that teacher who listens, encourages, and helps students believe in themselves, especially when they’re feeling unsure or overwhelmed. My goal isn’t just to teach facts and lessons, it's to inspire. I want my students to know that their dreams matter, that they are capable of doing hard things, and that someone believes in them. If I can be even half the teacher that Ms. McGrady was for me, I know I’ll be doing something right. In the end, I chose to become a teacher because I believe in the power of education to change lives, and I know that one caring adult can make all the difference. Ms. McGrady was that person for me. Now, I want to be that person for someone else.

From the time I was a child, I knew that teaching was what I wanted to do as a career. I can vividly remember using my younger sister as well as any stuffed animals I could find, and making use of furniture around the house to create an atmosphere that resembled a classroom. Growing up, I realized this project provided me with a great opportunity to express my creativity. I look at teaching as a way to serve the community. It is both an outlet for creativity and a chance to impact the lives of future successors. I strive to understand the mind of a child in order to develop techniques that are effective for each child in my practice. I hope to introduce new concepts and provide strategies to help students understand these concepts better. The most effective teachers inspire students to work hard and push themselves, and I hope my work, time, and effort will make a significant contribution to a child's success. It is the youth who form the backbone of a community. They are dreamers possessing incredible potential that will be turned into accomplishments. Providing them with constructive motivation and a shoulder to lean on can give them both hope and brighten their future outlook. As a future educator, my goal is to provide students of the future with a stable resource. This resource will be one that they can turn to when they need help not only in terms of their academics. Whether it’s personal or school-related, I want my students to know that I am always present and available. Passion can be defined as a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement regarding a particular subject or subject matter. Passion is said to be the basis of effective teaching. A strong sense of passion ignites within me when I think about the possibility of inspiring students and creating opportunities that can change their lives. It is teachers who shape society's future leaders to build positive future generations. A teacher's commitment and dedication to students and their learning are important elements in developing a passion for teaching. I am hoping that my passion for my work will inspire and awaken the learning desire in students. With their incredible potential, youth seem to be crucial to shaping the future. The passion for teaching that I have, stems from my goal of encouraging students to achieve their life objectives, transfer their talents, and achieve their full potential throughout my career.