My name is Maya, and I’m on a mission to tackle one of the most overlooked challenges in the learning disability and special needs community: the fact that not all disabilities are visible. That’s why I’m pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education (Special Ed). I want to be the teacher who sees kids before they get labeled, overlooked, or misunderstood. With my resilience, patience and empathy, I hope to achieve a true understanding of every child’s unique way of learning, and to create a classroom where they feel seen, supported, and armed with skills to thrive. Many children live with learning disabilities or rare neurological conditions that affect coordination, processing speed, and social awareness. But from the outside, they blend in. They walk, talk, and sit in class like everyone else. There are no obvious signs indicating the challenges they face. Just students doing their best to keep up with systems not built for how they learn. Because these differences aren’t obvious, people often assume they aren’t real. Some students are called lazy when they struggle with multi-step directions. Others are left out after missing social cues. Many teachers assume that they aren’t trying, when in reality, they make a huge effort just to stay focused and committed. What we need is emotional awareness. Not all effort looks the same. A distracted student might be trying harder than anyone. A quiet kid might be masking to get through the day. My goal is to make space for differences-with empathy, not assumptions-to be a teacher who works hard for every kind of brain.

• Camp Counselor

  Education · Ashland Recreation Center

  Jan 2024 – Jan 2024

• Altar Server

  Volunteering · St. Cecilia's Church

  2017 – Present

  Mission:

  Through small acts of service, I hope to inspire kids to get involved and feel like they belong.