I have chosen to get my degree in Elementary Education because I am passionate about nurturing young minds and teaching them the foundational skills they need for life. Since I was a kid, I have always been inspired by the teachers who made learning fun and engaging, and where I felt respected. I want to provide the same atmosphere for my students, one that not only wants academic growth but also supports social, emotional, and personal growth. Early education is important in shaping children's lives and how they view the world around them. The impact I want to create as an elementary teacher helps students form identities, learn common core objectives, and develop social skills. By creating a class where students feel valued and respected, I hope to plant a love for learning that stays well after they graduate. I want my students to see the value in both their successes and mistakes, and understand that challenges are put a learning. One key goal I have as a future educator is to promote inclusion and fairness. I want all my students to have the option of succeeding, regardless of their background, that's why I plan to use differentiated learning. By differentiating my teaching methods to cater to students' specific needs, I can help all students no matter where they might be struggling. Children must know that they are seen and valued in the classroom because this sets the stage for academic and personal growth. On a personal level, my motivation to become a teacher comes from my own experiences in school. Growing up, I had teachers who never made me feel supported or included in their class and I always hated going to school. Their influence has stayed with me and motivated me to want to give back what I never received. Additionally, I want my students to walk into class with a smile on their faces knowing that today will be a good day. My students will feel empowered to excel and have all the necessary skills needed for life. As I work towards my profession, I am dedicated to continuous learning. I know the value of staying up to date on current teaching methods to provide the best experiences for students. I aim to build relationships with families and communities, to ensure that everyone works together to ensure the best learning.

1. My belief about education is that it is an important tool that can be used for growth, empowerment, and cognitive development. Education is more than just memorizing facts but about fostering curiosity and creativity. I believe that education is meant to help students gain various skills, meaningfully contribute to their community, and follow their passions. Inclusivity and equality are important values to me. Regardless of ethnicity or background, every student deserves access to quality education that meets their required needs. Education should honor cultural diversity and I intend to create an environment that reflects these beliefs and values. My background is Native American, which has influenced my desire to connect with my students. Storytelling is an important part of our culture and can help teach a variety of lessons, which is why I plan to use it for learning. It can help students feel connected to the material and provide a deeper understanding. 2. The most effective methods I have seen from teachers include collaborative learning, hands-on activities, and differentiated instruction. These methods work with students to provide optimal learning and allow the best experiences for the students. For example, differentiated instruction ensures all students receive the proper support for them to succeed in the classroom. I plan to implement these strategies in my class by offering various activities that align with different needs a student might have. To make sure that my class is both culturally and linguistically responsive, I will make sure that the content is diverse and relates to students' backgrounds allowing them to share personal stories and experiences. This connection hopefully will make them more engaged and willing to learn while creating an environment that promotes respect for all. 3. I aim to make a positive impact on my student's lives, both academically and socially. My goal, academically, is to help them gain the skills and knowledge they need to be successful and be able to apply what they have learned to real-world scenarios. Socially, I want my students to be able to foster a growth mindset. When they realize mistakes are about of the learning process, they are more likely to try again instead of giving up completely. To ensure my students are confident and successful learners, I will make it a priority to build a supportive and positive classroom where mistakes don't mean failure. I will encourage self-reflection and provide students the opportunity to set goals along with celebrating their success, big or small. I also will incorporate social-emotional learning into the curriculum to help students build and regulate their emotions which is a skill that is required throughout life. 4. I believe professional growth is continuous. An effective educator is constantly looking for opportunities to learn and adapt to the technologies around them. I am dedicated to staying up-to-date on the advancements in teaching and regularly reflecting on my teaching practices. Signing up for workshops, classes, or conferences can help improve my teaching strategies. I also will focus on acknowledging my student's strengths and weaknesses, and adjust my teaching accordingly for their success. By building these relationships, students can see that I am committed to their learning and do want to see them succeed, motivating them to want to succeed. I aim to be an efficient educator who advocates for her students, especially those who face obstacles and challenges.

My Native American background has played a significant role in shaping both my educational journey and my future ambitions. My Native heritage has impacted my values of community, protecting traditions, and respecting the environment. These values have affected how I outline my future and how I go about my education. Starting at an early age, I learned that storytelling was important when it came to preserving knowledge through the generations. My cousin, Jimmy, used to tell us stories about our ancestors and their traditions, and by him doing so I grew a desire to learn more about my Native roots, such as the history and culture that might have been forgotten. The knowledge I acquired through school, independent research, and asking others in my tribe helped me gain a better understanding of the struggles and accomplishments of my people. This understanding has given me a passion for defending Native American rights and protecting their land. Native Americans have also faced countless challenges in the academic world, like being underrepresented and marginalized, which has affected my view. Learning about these challenges has encouraged me to advocate for change and break down barriers for any future Native American student, especially if they are my future students. My future goal (and hope) is that all students in my community will be able to succeed by making access to equal education possible for all. Despite these obstacles, my Native American heritage has inspired my love for education and the need to advocate for people who can't themselves. I realized that I have the chance to make a difference in my community by connecting these two ideas. For example, career goals include campaigning for policy reforms so that all Native communities have the necessary tools for appropriate learning and development for their kids. Furthermore, my background has influenced my view on success and achievements. Different from the traditional definition of success often viewed as individual accomplishments, my culture prioritizes the importance of connections and relationships. I don't only dream of a successful career but more importantly I want to be a part of something bigger than me. I want to be able to motivate people into caring for the environment since Native cultures have emphasized the importance of living among nature. My Native background has been a constant influence in deciding my future goals and aspirations. It has given me a sense of self and a purpose in life to advocate for equality and change. As I go through my career, I am dedicated to using my voice to create an inclusive and supportive environment where all students feel welcome regardless of background or ethnicity.