I am interested in pursuing a career in teaching because I truly enjoy helping others reach their goals. I would love for a student to walk into my classroom and say Hey, Mr. Wright, I am struggling, could you help me understand how you found this answer? I would truly drop everything I was doing to help this student, not just because it's my job, but because helping students become everything they want to be in life is my ultimate goal. While they are learning new things, I am too. It's often said you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but I feel you're never too old to learn something new. Finally, the main reason I want to become a teacher is to show young black males that they can do anything they put their mind to. I had a few African American teachers growing up; seeing the few I did have throughout my elementary education inspired me. It made me want to give back to my community as they are doing. While being born, my mother fell into a coma, and no one understood what was wrong with her. On August 17, 2006, I was born premature and only weighed two pounds. My mom and I only had about a 20% chance of living! Thankfully, we are both alive today to tell our story, for which we only have God to thank. Growing up, my mother and I were very close. So, when I began attending elementary school, I cried every day in kindergarten because I simply did not want to attend school, so my mom did not make me. Also, my teacher had a condition which her skin on her hand was a different color than the rest of her skin. This affected me greatly as a 5-year-old. Since I did not participate in school, the school and my mom decided to retain me, but with a different teacher. I am grateful they retained me because I continued to flourish in elementary school. The teacher I had, Mrs. Minni Connalley, was truly a gem. She supported me in many different ways. Since being retained previously, I already felt like I could not pass that year as well. She spent time with me outside her working hours, making sure I understood the materials at hand, and also that I was prepared for first grade next year. Due to Mrs. Connalley and many other teachers I had throughout elementary, middle, and high school, I developed my love for teaching. The teachers I had showed me compassion, care, and empathy. What they gave me was hope and inspiration. They made me believe in myself. They made me believe that I was somebody, that I mattered. The only way to repay their faith and kindness towards me is to make well from it and pay it forward to all students and youth I come across. I would love the opportunity to give back to the community the way they gave to me