To me, being passionate means having a deep sense of pure excitement and enthusiasm towards something. This is exactly how I feel when speaking about pursuing a career in special education. Growing up, I was inspired by the stories my grandmother told me about her adopted sibling with special needs and her brother, who became a slower-paced learner due to medical conditions. She spoke about the care, patience, and commitment it took to support them, and she saw the need to help them. I have always had a love for children, even from a very young age, and the way she described supporting her siblings with significant needs, and the success and great feeling of joy that came along with helping them to progress in different areas of life that gave her a sense of purpose deeply connected with me. It sparked something in me, a desire to follow in her footsteps and do the same for other children. I’m passionate about special education because I believe every child deserves the opportunity to learn in a way that respects their individuality and celebrates their strengths. I want to be the person who lifts others up, helps students break through barriers, feel seen for who they are, and discover their unique potential, never giving up on them. At first, when I thought of what it means to bring a student to a sense of their own presence, I immediately thought of it as helping them to be mindfully present. While mindfulness is beneficial to helping them develop a sense of their own presence, I came to the realization after reading the statement again, that it has a much deeper meaning than just helping them to be in the present moment. It means guiding each student to discover and become aware of who they are as individuals, developing self-recognition. It’s about helping them find and use their voice, because they do have a voice and should not feel as if they aren’t able to speak how they feel. They should know that their thoughts and feelings matter, are valid, and deserve to be expressed. It also means guiding and supporting them in becoming emotionally grounded, which helps them to recognize what they are feeling, be able to remain calm, regulate, and be in control of their emotions so that they can make thoughtful decisions rather than impulsive ones. Ultimately, it's about helping each student understand that they matter, not just as learners, but as individuals who have purpose, a voice, and are of value. Mission: To foster a safe and supportive learning environment where each student, regardless of their ability, discovers their self-identity, voice, worth, and potential to learn, grow, and succeed. Guiding a special needs student takes a tremendous amount of patience, understanding, and thoughtfulness. First, I would create a calm and welcoming environment to establish a supportive classroom. From the moment they enter the classroom, I must make it my duty to build a rapport with each student to understand their needs. I will observe their interests, engage with them individually, and communicate using simple language. As I begin to understand each student’s needs, I will develop age-appropriate tasks and responsibilities, using visual cues such as mirrors and recordings. Each day, we all will look in the mirror, self-reflecting, while repeating affirmations, “I am seen, I matter, I belong, and I am loved!” The use of these visual cues will help to promote self-identity as the students can hear and see themselves, recognize their reflections, and observe their facial expressions and body language, helping them to connect with their emotions. This also encourages social and motor skills as they practice interactions, observe their behavior, and correct their movements. These will be reinforced by consistent daily routines to foster predictability. Frequent positive reinforcements will be given to support their learning and understanding of their tasks. By doing this, they become more confident in themselves and develop independence. It helps them to recognize and value their unique contributions and individuality. Encouraging self-expression is vital. I will incorporate art, music, and storytelling in the classroom based on the students’ needs and preferences, along with reflective discussions. Some students have difficulty understanding their emotions and expressing themselves, therefore, mindfulness exercises will be integrated into lessons to help each student become aware of their emotions. Safe spaces will be available in the classroom for students to use to calm and regulate themselves when they feel upset or overwhelmed. The reflective discussions will provide opportunities for each student to talk about their thoughts and feelings, encouraging them to express themselves. These discussions are where I will teach and guide them on how they can deal with their emotions. This will also help students learn how to connect their actions to outcomes, fostering better decision-making and accountability. By processing and making sense of challenging situations, students would be able to reduce anxiety and confusion. Every accomplishment, no matter how small, will be celebrated to encourage students to recognize their personal growth and capabilities. Once upon a time, in a classroom filled with light, There gathered children whose potential was hidden from plain sight. I arrived with a mission for their voices to be heard, To help them find confidence in every action and every word. I raised the enchanted mirror to show them true, They are seen, they matter, they belong, and they’re loved too. Through art and song, through stories told, I helped them find strength and learn to be bold. No matter what, always let your truth be told, A flame of courage is ready to unfold. When emotions flared and became overwhelming, We practiced mindfulness, staying calm and present. With every lesson, their fears disappeared, Confidence grew, and their voices cheered. Step by step, with patience, love, and care, We created a world where they could dare, They learned to believe in themselves and become aware. Each step they took, no matter how small, Became a victory, a lesson for all. I witnessed their growth, their courage unfold, A tale of resilience, more precious than silver or gold. They’ve now found the sense of their own presence, My goal is accomplished. How beautiful to see, they have found their true essence.