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Michaela Elliott

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Finalist

Bio

I recently completed my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Auburn University, an academic foundation that has deeply shaped my understanding of human development and individual learning needs. Following my graduation, my immediate goal is to enter a Collaborative K-12 Special Education Master's Program. I am deeply passionate about creating inclusive, supportive learning environments where every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Education

Auburn University

Master's degree program
2026 - 2028
  • Majors:
    • Special Education and Teaching

Auburn University

Bachelor's degree program
2023 - 2026
  • Majors:
    • Psychology, General

Sparkman High School

High School
2018 - 2022

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Master's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Special Education and Teaching
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Education

    • Dream career goals:

      Special Education Teacher

    • Shift Leader

      Bitty and Beau's Coffee
      2025 – Present1 year

    Sports

    Tumbling

    Club
    2011 – 20132 years

    Research

    • Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services

      Auburn University — Member/Speaker
      2025 – 2025

    Arts

    • Auburn University Singers

      Music
      2025 – Present

    Public services

    • Advocacy

      Care Humaine Society — member
      2023 – Present

    Future Interests

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    RonranGlee Special Needs Teacher Literary Scholarship
    Professor Harold Bloom's statement that teaching in essence is about awakening in the student a realization of one's own existence profoundly resonates with the very reason I am so enthusiastic about the special education field. This approach, in fact, concerns a deeply compelling human activity: revealing a capability that the world tends to ignore. Within the structure of special education, a student feeling their own presence is tantamount to acknowledging that they are an entire, competent individual whose voice, thoughts and feelings are significant. Unfortunately, very often students with special needs end up being only seen as what they are incapable of doing. They become so consumed with being assessed, accommodated, and corrected that the opposite effect is often the result, and in the end, they can feel like mere objects to be controlled rather than individuals with true freedom. Giving such a student a sense of presence means removing the distractions of their conditions so they can come to the realization that 'I' am here. Note that the thoughts I am having are only mine. I also have the opportunity to change the environment I am currently in.' This zeal is a consequence of a conviction that education should be far from a mechanism of continuous enforcement. Rather, it should be a journey of discovering oneself. A student with learning differences coming to the realization that their life does matter is a revelation that opens up a new world to them. What is more, this transformation redefines their spatial and social orientation, thereby moving the student from a place of alienation to one of genuine inclusion. To achieve this recognition in my students, I base my efforts Mainly on giving them independence and enabling sincere communication. In practice, this means a conscientious transition from physically doing things for a student to gently guiding or coaching them through a challenge, or perhaps even adjusting an activity to allow them to work almost entirely on their own. A students' existence is made tangible every time they are able to exert control over their environment, be it through successfully completing a task, making a change or a choice, etc. The real advocacy is not to effortlessly save students from every frustration, but rather to empower them to become self-sufficient and capable of facing challenges their own way by providing time, space and tools. For those students who are non-verbal or use very few words, the sense of being present is usually hindered by frustration, and this makes it essential for me to give them an eloquent voice using Augmentive and Alternative Communication tools. By relying on the chosen means of communication as their absolute law - be it a high-tech speech device, a sign, or a picture board - they learn that their interaction is followed by a response from the world, Because of this confirming that they have real power in life. As a teacher, my top priority is to act as a mirror that shows my students the value that they have within themselves, continuously reminding them that their presence is an unchallengeable fact that no one can take away from them and one even that they should be proud to be recognized by others.