Mental health has impacted my life in many ways, both personally and professionally, and it has shaped the way I view compassion, resilience, and support for others. Throughout my journey balancing work, graduate school, and preparing to become a first-time mother, I have learned how important mental health awareness and support systems truly are. There have been times when stress, burnout, and self-doubt felt overwhelming, especially while trying to manage the responsibilities of being a first-generation college student pursuing a master’s degree in Special Education with a focus in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Those experiences taught me that mental health struggles are often invisible, yet they can deeply affect a person’s ability to feel confident, motivated, and supported. Working in the ABA field has also exposed me to the emotional challenges faced by children, families, and professionals alike. I have worked with children who struggle to communicate their emotions, regulate behaviors, or navigate environments that do not always understand their needs. I have also seen the emotional toll that caregiving and advocacy can have on families who are trying their best to support their children. These experiences strengthened my empathy and reinforced the importance of creating supportive, compassionate environments where individuals feel heard and valued. In addition, working in a helping profession has shown me how easy it can be for caregivers, educators, and healthcare professionals to experience burnout. There were moments where balancing long workdays, graduate coursework, financial stress, and personal responsibilities became emotionally exhausting. At times, I struggled with feeling like I had to carry everything perfectly while still meeting the expectations of others. Learning how to prioritize mental health, ask for support, and give myself grace became an important part of my personal growth. Rather than discouraging me, these experiences motivated me to become someone who helps others feel supported during difficult moments. Pursuing a career in special education and ABA has strengthened my passion for advocacy and compassion because I understand how important encouragement and understanding can be. I want the students and families I work with to know they are not alone in their struggles and that their emotions, experiences, and challenges matter. Preparing to become a mother has also deepened my understanding of mental health and emotional well-being. It has made me more aware of the importance of strong support systems, emotional resilience, and creating environments where people feel safe asking for help. I want to model compassion, patience, and understanding not only in my future career, but also in my personal life and future family. Mental health experiences have taught me that strength does not mean never struggling. Instead, strength comes from continuing to move forward, seeking support when needed, and using difficult experiences to grow with empathy for others. These experiences have shaped me into someone who values kindness, advocacy, and emotional support, and they continue to influence the type of educator, professional, and person I hope to become.

I am passionate about the special education profession because I believe every child deserves the opportunity to feel understood, supported, and capable of success regardless of their challenges or differences. Special education is more than teaching academic skills; it is about helping students build confidence, independence, communication, and a sense of belonging in the world around them. I have always been drawn to careers centered around helping others, but my experiences working in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) with children with developmental and behavioral needs solidified my passion for special education and advocacy. Through my work in ABA, I have had the privilege of supporting children with a variety of learning styles, communication needs, and behavioral challenges. Some of the most meaningful moments I have experienced were not necessarily large milestones, but the small victories that represented major progress for a child and their family. Watching a child independently communicate a need for the first time, tolerate a difficult transition, or successfully interact with peers reinforced my belief that every student is capable of growth when given patience, encouragement, and individualized support. These experiences taught me that special education teachers have the unique ability to help students discover strengths within themselves that they may not yet recognize. I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in Special Education with a focus in ABA because I want to continue making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families. As a first-generation college student, I understand what it feels like to navigate unfamiliar challenges while trying to pursue long-term goals. Balancing graduate school, work, and preparing to become a first-time mother has strengthened my resilience, empathy, and determination. These experiences have also helped me understand how important support systems are in helping individuals succeed. I want to become the type of educator who provides students with not only academic support, but also encouragement, patience, and a safe environment where they feel valued. Professor Harold Bloom’s statement that “the purpose of teaching is to bring the student to his or her sense of his or her own presence” deeply resonates with me because I interpret it as helping students recognize their own value, identity, abilities, and place in the world. For many students with special needs, they may experience frustration, self-doubt, or feelings of being misunderstood due to challenges they face academically, socially, behaviorally, or emotionally. Helping students experience a sense of their own presence means helping them feel seen, heard, capable, and important. It means teaching in a way that allows students to understand that their voice matters and that they are capable of learning, growing, and contributing in meaningful ways. To me, this statement also reflects the importance of individualized education. Every student enters the classroom with unique strengths, needs, experiences, and interests. A student’s “presence” cannot fully emerge if they are expected to fit into a rigid mold that does not consider who they are as individuals. As a future special education professional, I want to create environments where students feel accepted for who they are while also being challenged and supported to reach their fullest potential. I believe students thrive when educators focus on strengths rather than limitations and when progress is celebrated in all forms, even the smallest steps forward. My mission in helping special needs students develop a sense of their own presence is rooted in compassion, advocacy, and empowerment. First, I want to create learning environments where students feel emotionally safe and respected. Many students with disabilities spend much of their educational experience feeling different or misunderstood. I want my classroom and interactions to communicate that differences are not something to hide or be ashamed of, but rather something that deserves understanding and support. Building trust and positive relationships with students is essential because students are more likely to learn and grow when they feel secure and valued. Second, I want to help students build confidence through individualized and evidence-based teaching strategies. In ABA and special education, progress often happens gradually, and success can look different for every student. I want students to experience success in ways that are meaningful for them so they can develop confidence in their own abilities. Whether it involves communication skills, emotional regulation, social interactions, academics, or independence, my goal is to help students recognize their own growth and capability over time. I believe confidence develops when students are given opportunities to succeed and are supported through challenges rather than judged for them. Another important part of my mission is collaboration with families. Families know their children better than anyone else, and meaningful progress happens when educators and families work together as a team. As someone preparing to become a mother myself, I have gained an even deeper appreciation for the trust families place in educators and support professionals. I want parents to feel heard, respected, and included throughout their child’s educational journey. By building strong partnerships with families, I hope to create consistency, encouragement, and support that extends beyond the classroom. Additionally, I want to advocate for inclusion, understanding, and dignity for students with disabilities. Too often, individuals with disabilities are defined by what they struggle with rather than what they are capable of achieving. I believe one of the most important responsibilities of a special education professional is to advocate for opportunities that allow students to participate meaningfully in school, relationships, and their communities. Every student deserves the chance to feel like they belong and that their contributions matter. Ultimately, my passion for special education comes from my desire to help students discover their strengths, build confidence, and feel empowered in their own lives. Professor Bloom’s statement reminds me that teaching is not simply about delivering information; it is about helping students recognize themselves as capable individuals with value and potential. Through patience, compassion, advocacy, and individualized support, I hope to guide my future students toward a stronger sense of self-confidence, independence, and belonging. My goal is to become an educator who not only teaches skills, but also helps students feel seen, supported, and empowered to succeed in their own unique ways.

I am passionate about early childhood education because the early years of a child’s life lay the foundation for future learning, communication, emotional development, and confidence. During early childhood, children are constantly learning about the world around them and developing skills that will shape their future experiences both inside and outside the classroom. I believe that supportive and compassionate educators can make a lifelong impact during these important developmental years. My passion for this field grew through my experiences working in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) with young children who have diverse developmental and behavioral needs. Working directly with children has shown me how important patience, encouragement, and individualized support truly are. I have witnessed children achieve milestones that once felt impossible, whether it was learning to communicate a need, building social connections, improving emotional regulation, or gaining independence in everyday tasks. Seeing those moments of growth has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and continues to motivate me to pursue a career in education. Through my work, I have also learned that every child learns differently and deserves an environment where they feel safe, understood, and supported. Early childhood educators have the opportunity to help children develop confidence in themselves at a young age, which can influence how they approach learning and challenges later in life. I want to be the type of educator who helps children feel capable and valued, especially during moments when they may struggle or feel discouraged. As a first-generation college student currently pursuing a master’s degree in Special Education with a focus in ABA, I understand the importance of perseverance and support systems. Balancing graduate school, work, and preparing to become a first-time mother has not always been easy, but these experiences have strengthened my resilience and determination to create a meaningful future for both my family and the children I work with. My educational journey has taught me how important encouragement and mentorship can be, and I hope to provide that same support to the students and families I serve in the future. Becoming pregnant with my first child has deepened my passion for early childhood education even more. Preparing to become a mother has given me a new perspective on the importance of early development, advocacy, and family involvement. It has strengthened my desire to support not only children, but also the families who trust educators to help guide their child’s growth and learning. I want parents to feel heard, respected, and included throughout their child’s educational journey. Ultimately, I am passionate about early childhood education because I want to make a positive and lasting difference in children’s lives during the years that matter most for development. I want to help children build confidence, independence, communication skills, and a love for learning that they carry with them throughout their lives. Every child deserves someone who believes in their potential, celebrates their progress, and helps them feel supported along the way. Through my education, professional experiences, and personal journey, I hope to become that person for the children and families I work with.

Growing up, I always admired teachers and mentors who made people feel seen, supported, and capable of succeeding, even when things felt difficult. As I got older, I realized the people who inspired me most were not necessarily the ones who had all the answers, but the ones who showed patience, compassion, and consistency. Those qualities eventually led me toward the field of education and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), where I discovered how meaningful it is to help children learn, grow, and build confidence in themselves. One of the biggest inspirations in my journey has been the supervisors and mentors I have worked alongside while working in the ABA field. I have been fortunate to learn from professionals who genuinely care about both the children they support and the staff they mentor. Watching them model patience, encouragement, and individualized teaching strategies showed me the type of educator and leader I want to become. Their ability to celebrate small victories, adapt to each child’s needs, and create positive learning environments made a lasting impact on me. They taught me that teaching is not simply about academics or behavior goals; it is about building trust, helping students feel safe, and giving them the tools to succeed in ways that are meaningful for them. Working directly with children in ABA has also inspired me in ways I never expected. Every child I have worked with has taught me something valuable about perseverance, communication, and the importance of meeting people where they are. I have seen children accomplish goals that once felt impossible, whether it was learning to communicate a need, tolerate a difficult situation, or build social connections with others. Watching those moments happen reminds me why I chose this path. It reinforced my passion for becoming an educator who advocates for students and creates environments where they feel understood rather than judged. Another major source of motivation in my life is my family and my personal experiences as a first-generation college student. Pursuing higher education has not always been easy. There have been moments filled with stress, uncertainty, and self-doubt, especially while balancing graduate school, work, and now pregnancy with my first child. However, those experiences have strengthened my resilience and determination. Being the first in my family to pursue this level of education has shown me how powerful perseverance can be, even when challenges feel overwhelming. It has also helped me understand that many students face struggles outside the classroom that can impact their confidence and ability to learn. Because of this, I want to be the type of educator who leads with empathy and understanding. Currently, I am pursuing my master’s degree in Special Education with a focus in ABA because I want to continue supporting children and families in meaningful ways. My goal is to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and use evidence-based strategies to help students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. I believe every child deserves access to compassionate educators who recognize their strengths and potential rather than focusing only on their limitations. As I continue my career in education, I hope to inspire others by creating supportive and encouraging learning environments where students feel valued. I want my future students to know that growth looks different for everyone and that success is not defined by perfection. Sometimes the smallest accomplishments represent the biggest victories. I also hope to inspire future educators and colleagues by modeling patience, teamwork, and compassion, just as my own mentors have done for me. Becoming a mother has added another layer to my perspective on education and advocacy. Preparing to welcome my first child has deepened my understanding of how important support systems are for children and families. It has strengthened my desire to become someone parents can trust and collaborate with throughout their child’s educational journey. I want families to feel heard, respected, and included in the process because meaningful progress happens when educators and families work together. Ultimately, the people who inspired me most were those who believed in others during moments when they struggled to believe in themselves. Their encouragement helped shape the path I am on today. Through my education, experiences in ABA, and future work as an educator, I hope to provide that same encouragement and support to the students and families I serve. My goal is not only to teach skills or behaviors, but to help others feel confident, capable, and empowered to reach their full potential.