Throughout my life, I have played the role of an educator, however at eight years old, it became a solidified part of my identity. Who I was and wanted to become. My younger brother was born with Down Syndrome, a disability that influences his physical and intellectual development. Along with special education teachers, physical and occupational therapists, and psychologists, my family had to learn the best ways to foster a learning environment at home. I could actually see the progress my brother made, and every accomplishment of his was my victory as much as his because I was included in the process. Just as my brother’s therapists sparked a love for working with children with disabilities, his teachers demonstrated compassion and positivity through the covid pandemic sparked my love for special education. My hunger to serve the autistic community allowed me to intern at a k-12 school and tutor elementary-aged children with high-functioning autism. Through this experience I was able to speak to these children because my brother is non-verbal, it was a unique chance to hear what they thought, see how their thinking patterns worked, and help them succeed in school. I also worked with children with all sorts of disabilities by volunteering at Kids Enjoy Exercise Now, an organization where volunteers do physical education activities with children. Speaking to and playing with children at all sorts of levels only solidified what I wanted to do in the future. I wanted to be an inspiration, a comforting figure, and a safe space for them, all qualities that phenomenal teachers possess. My work has currently benefitted the low-incidence community by allowing them to play and have fun, which is such a valuable way to teach real-life lessons. Through sharing, empathy, healthy competition, and communication, the children I have worked with can be more prepared to use those same skills in the future. Special Education teachers and their students both learn these valuable skills which makes the classroom an environment that is conducive to learning for every single person who enters. In the future as a special education teacher, I hope to be a teacher that not only impacts the child but also the family, who oftentimes also need support from educators. By worrying for my brother, there are some skills that I want to teach to my future students, such as self-advocacy and awareness of surroundings or recognizing dangerous situations. These skills are underrated in a way because they aren’t taught as much to children with special needs but are necessary for daily life and I always appreciated teachers who taught valuable life lessons. Overall like the great educators in my life, I want to have a lasting impact on the lives of the children and families I have taught and will teach.