It’s 2011, and I’m in the first grade. I’m sitting at my desk talking to my friends while waiting for instructions from my teacher when I’m called to the front of the class. As I approach my teacher’s desk, I try to think of what I might have done to be called up there. Was I talking too loud? Did I forget to put my name on my paper? Did I not turn in my homework? Contrary to my worries, none of my guesses were correct. My teacher asked, “Sydni, will you please choose a book from my stack and read it to the class?” I go to pick up a book, and as I read to my peers, I think to myself, “I like this! Is this what it’s like to be a teacher?”. The idea intrigued me. As the years went on, whenever someone was asked to read in class, my hand would shoot up in excitement, ready to “teach the class” once again. The opportunity to do something that helps others around me learn and grow excited me at that young age, and as the years progressed, that interest in teaching only grew. All around me, there were fantastic examples of educators. From my teachers that changed my life, to my aunts who would change the lives of other students, all of these individuals supported my goals of being an educator. Seeing the different paths that education can lead you down, from being a student that skipped a grade and having a brother that was educated in a bilingual school, I learned how important education is to youth. This generation was born to be the next politicians, leaders, educators, and world changers, and that all starts with a good education and a strong support system. A good education is necessary so these students can grow to be the best they can be in whatever career they go into, and a good support system is essential because it is important that as we grow and learn, we have mentors and individuals around us to look up to so we can think “I can be that and more .” Education sets the foundation for just about everything in life. As someone who knows that they will be an elementary school teacher in the future, I will always advocate for and believe that a good education is one of the most important things an individual can have.

It’s 2011, and I’m in the first grade. I’m sitting at my desk talking to my friends while waiting for instructions from my teacher when I’m called to the front of the class. As I approach my teacher’s desk, I try to think of what I might have done to be called up there. Was I talking too loud? Did I forget to put my name on my paper? Did I not turn in my homework? Contrary to my worries, none of my guesses were correct. My teacher asked, “Sydni, will you please choose a book from my stack and read it to the class?” I go to pick up a book, and as I read to my peers, I think to myself, “I like this! Is this what it’s like to be a teacher?”. The idea intrigued me. As the years went on, whenever someone was asked to read in class, my hand would shoot up in excitement, ready to “teach the class” once again. The opportunity to do something that helps others around me learn and grow excited me at that young age, and as the years progressed, that interest in teaching only grew. All around me, there were fantastic examples of educators. From my teachers that changed my life, to my aunts who would change the lives of other students, all of these individuals supported my goals of being an educator. Seeing the different paths that education can lead you down, from being a student that skipped a grade and having a brother that was educated in a bilingual school, I learned how important education is to youth. This generation was born to be the next politicians, leaders, educators, and world changers, and that all starts with a good education and a strong support system. A good education is necessary so these students can grow to be the best they can be in whatever career they go into, and a good support system is essential because it is important that as we grow and learn, we have mentors and individuals around us to look up to so we can think “I can be that and more .” Education sets the foundation for just about everything in life. As someone who knows that they will be an elementary school teacher in the future, I will always advocate for and believe that a good education is one of the most important things an individual can have.