Since I was a little girl, I felt called into the field of education. Despite abrasive comments criticizing my choice and advice to go into “a higher paying field,” I felt a recurring desire to return to the classroom after graduating. Throughout high school, I felt a more specific calling to the field: to become a Spanish teacher. My Spanish teachers throughout my four years at Hersey taught me more than language and communication skills. In the midst of the Covid pandemic, Doctor Ayala taught me that true communication and human kindness can reach through a screen all the way to your soul. Señora Wysock reminded me I was capable of reaching my goals even though my mental health at the time made me feel completely incapable. Señorita Wilhelmi lifted me up when anxiety made me doubt my abilities. This support I have been so incredibly fortunate to receive urges me to provide the same to students of the next generation. As our country faces new challenges to accommodate Spanish speaking refugees, my calling has expanded. I aspire to employ my Spanish communication skills in another avenue: working with Spanish speaking Mexican refugees, likely in a school or education program for youth. With an increasing need in our country and world to accommodate refugees, I hope to provide necessary support and alleviate some of the immense weight associated with the transition to life into this country and the language barrier. Additionally, I aspire to eventually become a school guidance counselor. Having experience in the field of education and with native Spanish speakers would equip me to best serve students in this position and provide even more support for students’ mental health and well being. My own experiences as a student have shaped these aspirations because I’ve learned that there is such a need for kindness and understanding in our society- especially within schools. Kids need a teacher and a counselor that they can share their feelings and concerns with- someone who can meet them where they are and help them succeed amid barriers. Once I am able, I aspire to be this type of person for students: an understanding, supportive teacher, an encouraging, helpful aid, and an empathetic, effective guidance counselor.

As a child growing up in a small, isolated private school setting, I didn't realize that there were kids much different from me- those who learned a little bit differently and dealt with conditions or limitations with which I had no familiarity. Once I transitioned to a larger, public high school, however, I quickly realized how clueless I had been. At Hersey High School, hundreds of special needs students from the surrounding towns gathered not just for social recreation and programs but for education- comprehensive, inclusive, and practical education for those who otherwise would not have received it. It was here, working with gifted kids in our "Super Buddies" program that I realized the passion I had for providing kids with the education they both needed and deserved. Three years later, as an upcoming senior, I am joyful to say that my experiences in high school have shaped my career goals. I hope to become a special education teacher for gifted children just like Lieba, teaching them math, English, art, Science, History, and SEL just like other children learn in their schools. Although I have not had the opportunity to be homeschooled, an ultimate goal of mine is to become a co-op for gifted homeschooled children who don't have access to special education at nearby public high schools. I desire to bring the best possible education to individuals like Lieba who are not only deserving of a great education but also entirely capable of achieving amazing things, whether that be pursuing a career in the arts, going into STEM, or pursuing a vocational career. As a society, we lose so much value and potential when looking past gifted children like Lieba. People like her make our world a better place through the gifts, talents, and ideas they have to contribute and the central motivation for my career goals lies in helping these individuals pursue their dreams. Lieba's own words, "This is how the Creator made me," touch my heart and once again remind me that no human is ever a mistake. Each of us is made uniquely and intentionally, no matter how many differences there are between us. I truly believe in the goodness of our Creator's work and ultimately I hope to serve the sacred creation that lies in humanity through serving individuals like Lieba in my future career as a special education teacher or co-op. Without people like Lieba, our families, communities, and world would never be the same. Without people like Lieba, we would be missing so much joy, love, and laughter. Through my future career, therefore, I hope to make this world a better place one student at a time.

An individual who is confident and invested in herself while utilizing her own capabilities and skill sets to serve other individuals in fulfilling their purposes in life is my dream version of my ideal self.