Writing has shaped my life in ways I could never have imagined. In itself, it is a powerful craft that can tell stories and empower individuals from all over the world. The power behind writing and literature pushes me to pursue education in the field and teach it to others someday. When I think back to what got me writing, the first person I need to thank is my high school English teachers, as they guided me through some of the most difficult years of my life. Their unwavering support ignited my passion for writing and showed me that I, too, could be an English educator and do to my future students what they did for me. I am currently a freshman in college, and I’ll be pursuing a doctorate in English, along with a masters in education, so I can share a love for writing with the masses. I have loved writing for as long as I could hold a pencil, but it wasn't until sophomore year of high school that I realized I could turn it into a career. My honors english teacher acknowledged both my skills and my struggles, pushing me to take AP Language and Literature; little did she know that her few encouraging words would inspire me to write for the rest of my life. I am currently working on my first novel, and I have an unpublished poetry collective; I aim to share my life story in a Bronte-esque way to connect with any other young writers who feel abandoned in their creative lonesome. What I love most about writing is its ability to unite people. It tells stories that can be interpreted differently by every set of eyes. I am determined to create an educational environment where future students are inspired to write for more than a grade– for fun– where they can focus on personal experience and foster creativity. In a world where many students face external pressures and disengagement, I hope I can create a space where people are encouraged to explore their voices and narratives through literature and writing. My adoration for writing is both deeply personal and community-centric; I am the president of my college’s poetry club, and I tutor students at a close high school– both of these opportunities allow me to write more, teach those around me, and sink into others' writing. My drive to spread writing to others originates from my past. As a child, I would journal and write several short stories on my old family computer– I used writing as a safety belt while being raised by an emotionally abusive stepmother and an absent mother. I found my voice between Microsoft keys, and I know the same can be possible for others with similar struggles. I hope that through my words, I can show others that they are more than their circumstances. My love for writing prompts my desire to pursue further education. It offers an emotional outlet while helping others connect, get inspired, and find their calling. By embracing English, I aim to transform lives through education and storytelling, ensuring that every voice is heard.

English teachers have a unique impact on their students, as they have the honor of leading youth through formative years and influencing their educational paths. I chose English, and I aspire to get a doctorate in order to become a professor, with a masters in education; my high school English teachers had a remarkable impact on me during a challenging period of my life and prompted me to become an English educator like them. Through my writing, I hope to show people with similar backgrounds that they are more than their circumstances and influence individuals to write more. I have always excelled in English, but I hadn’t considered it for a career until my sophomore year of high school. My honors English teacher recognized my potential, as well as my hurt, and showed me compassion; her encouragement prompted me to enroll in AP Language, where I had another lovely teacher who further pushed me to pursue writing and teaching. I am now working on my first novel, as well as my first poetry book, and I hope to portray my personal narrative in a way that resonates with all readers and writers. Writing holds a very special ability– the ability to unite people of all backgrounds and tell stories that will never be forgotten. By pursuing both writing and education, I can tell my story and push people to tell theirs as well. I hope to have an impact on the lives of my future students, just as my English teachers have for me. I recognize that students now have very little motivation due to home struggles or the stress of the external world, and they may resort to AI or disengagement. I hope I can create a place where students are encouraged to write for more than a grade, and to create lifelong learners while instilling confidence and knowledge in those who may feel unsupported. To achieve such, I plan to pursue two degrees– English and education– eventually becoming a teacher or a professor. I hope to foster a sense of community by creating study groups for my current peers, learning from the strategies that others may use to interpret them as teaching strategies in the future. I currently run a poetry club on my college campus and tutor students at a nearby high school with the goal of helping them find their love for writing. My motivation for pursuing this path originates in my childhood. I often carried a diary with me to document my thoughts, and my high school English pushed me to become an author despite the challenges I faced at home with an emotionally abusive stepmother and a mother who was largely absent. Writing became my safe space, and with it I was able to navigate my rough upbringing. Through my writing, I hope to inspire others with similar backgrounds to pursue their dreams.