“She’s never going to talk.” That was the sentence whispered in the hospital hallway about my younger cousin when she was first diagnosed with developmental delays. But I remember sitting beside her, gently placing her small hand in mine, and whispering back, “Yes, you will. And I’ll help you.” I was just a child myself then, but something ignited in me—a fierce, enduring passion to uplift and support children with special needs. Professor Harold Bloom once said, “The purpose of teaching is to bring the student to his or her sense of his or her own presence.” To me, this means helping each child recognize their God-given value and unique voice in a world that often overlooks them. As a future special education teacher, my mission is to guide every student not only in academic growth but toward understanding that they matter, they belong, and they are capable of making a difference. I want my classroom to be a place where they feel safe enough to dream and bold enough to speak. My passion for special education comes from more than just my cousin’s journey. I’ve volunteered in inclusive classrooms and served in church programs where I’ve witnessed the incredible beauty of breakthroughs—when a student who once struggled to speak says a full sentence, or when a child who couldn’t make eye contact beams with joy after reading a word aloud. These moments remind me that teaching is sacred work. It’s about unlocking potential with patience, love, and faith. In my classroom, I will pursue a mission rooted in Christ-like compassion. I want to build individualized learning paths that meet students where they are while helping them discover their strengths. I’ll celebrate their milestones, no matter how small, and never stop advocating for their right to learn, to grow, and to thrive. But the real magic isn’t in fairy tales—it’s in the daily, unseen work of listening deeply, showing up consistently, and believing in every child’s ability to flourish. That’s the kind of teacher I aspire to be. I want to create a classroom culture where joy is felt, differences are embraced, and every learning style is honored. I believe that students with special needs don’t need to be “fixed”—they need to be heard, understood, and empowered. At the heart of this calling is my faith in Jesus Christ. His ministry was full of compassion for the outcast, the overlooked, and the least of these. He saw people others ignored, and He called them by name. That’s how I want to teach—not just with strategies and lesson plans, but with love that sees each child as made in God’s image. I believe teaching is a ministry, and I pray that my students will walk away from my class not only knowing how to read or write—but knowing they are loved and that their life matters. I also recognize the challenges ahead. Special education requires patience, creativity, and constant advocacy. There will be days when progress is slow and behaviors are hard. But I believe that love never gives up. I’m ready to be a voice for the children who can’t speak for themselves yet and a steady presence in their journey of growth. Looking forward, I hope to pursue a degree in special education and eventually work in underserved communities where access to resources is limited. I want to be part of the solution that brings equity to education and light to the lives of children who deserve every opportunity to succeed. This isn’t just a career for me—it’s my calling, and I’m ready to walk it out in faith, joy, and fierce dedication.