I believe that early childhood education is the foundation on which the rest of a person's life is built. I think that early childhood teachers are very undervalued and are seen as babysitters rather than qualified professionals who provide children with the necessary scaffolding for development. I want to be a teacher who helps change this perspective. I want to be a teacher who helps each child reach their future full potential, by creating a space that fosters a love for learning. I want to be a teacher because I had teachers who did this for me as well as teachers who did not. The teachers who did not foster a love for learning showed me how important it is for teachers to love what they do, and as a result, create an environment where students are given the opportunity to be leaders in their learning journey. Bad teachers showed me the importance of good teachers and that's what I want to be. I had so many good teachers throughout my schooling years and Mrs. Harrison, my first-grade teacher, stood out as one of those teachers. She was patient and kind, but also firm when I needed it. She allowed me to guide my own learning while giving me the tools to succeed in each new challenge. she started off as my first-grade teacher, but became a forever role model and friend, to many of her students, not only me. She went the extra mile to make sure I succeeded throughout my life, her guidance did not end when I left her classroom, making her a very special teacher indeed. Mrs. Harrison inspires me every day that I am in the classroom doing student teaching. Dr. Joanne Ricevuto, my program director and professor during my time at Harcum College completing my associate's degree, was another teacher who stands out in my education journey as spectacular. She set a high standard for her students but was an amazing guide to those who worked hard and had an enthusiasm for teaching. She was passionate about what she was teaching and showed a great deal of care for the students in her class. Since completing my associate's and moving to a different college to complete my bachelor's, she has remained a strong guiding light, always open to a phone call or text conversation to help me reach my educational goals. These two teachers, at very different points in my life, demonstrated to me what a good teacher is and I can only aim to be a fraction of that. I hope to one day be the teacher that students look back on with gratitude and fondness as adults. I hope to be a teacher that creates an environment where students can thrive, learning through play and fun. I hope to be a teacher where students can be leaders in their learning. I hope I can be a guide to this learning rather than someone who dictates what and how a student learns. I hope to be a teacher who is a forever learner.

In early January it was announced that my closest and dearest friend from my first college had committed suicide. It didn't come as a complete shock as there had been multiple attempts, the first being in 2016. But the heartbreak of it was not any easier to deal with, regardless of how many times that outcome was so closely reached. Our friendship began when we were placed in the same residence at Rhodes University. She was this really cool girl that I thought I was never hip enough to be friends with. But we became fast friends and were inseparable for years. We had many an adventure together, camping, road trips, moving cities together. And through it all, she was a fighter. She was always very open about her troubles with mental health and her diagnosis of bipolar, and we were always there for her as much as we could be. In 2015 she moved to Thailand to teach. This year did not go as planned for her as she was in a major car accident, which landed her in hospital for 2 months, and as soon as she was released she caught bird flu and was hospitalized again. The year seemed to drag on for her, and every email volley between us showed me what a tough time she was having. After many conversations, she decided that Thailand was not the right place for her in the world and she decided to come home. She had been trying to keep up with a long-distance relationship with her college sweetheart and so after all her hardships and being away from him, home seemed like a good idea. It was not long before the travel bug bit her again. This time it was South Korea. This time around her boyfriend went with her and she was going to a place where she had friends already living. I was happy for her and glad that she was not alone in her endeavors. But it was not long before I received a phone call from a stranger speaking a foreign language. After much confusion and a hefty language barrier, the nurse was able to convey the message that my friend had attempted suicide and that I needed to alert the family. After many phone calls and making sure that she was safe and alive, I had a long cry and wondered about what we could do for her. This was just the first of many attempts. After the third attempt, I distanced myself from her. I had to look after my own mental health as the constant fear and stress that the friendship was bringing me was exhausting. I look back now that she is gone and feel guilt, regret, relief, and gratitude. She was a fighter. Her battle was long and painful. I feel guilt and regret that I wasn't there for her in the end. I feel relief for her, knowing that she is not struggling anymore. And most important, I feel grateful that I was able to know and love her. She has taught me how important it is to fight for what you want in life. After her death in January, I made a deal to myself that I would do something every day that would make her proud. My academic achievements and endeavors are something she would have been proud of and so I have been focusing on making sure I stay consistent in those. She fought so hard in her life, she showed me that it is important to fight for mine. She inspires me daily to dream big and never take no for an answer. When she was having a tough time she would always say to me "Nicole, we have to 'vasbyte'", which in her home language meant 'bite tight'. This refers to biting down on a belt when something hurts, or "bite the bullet". COVID-19 has made life financially very difficult, but I am determined to complete my studies and make my dear friend Amber proud.