I grew up in a small town in Southeastern Wisconsin with my two parents and a twin sister. There wasn't much to do other than focus on my academics and play sports, so that's exactly what I did. I went to North Fond du Lac High School and tried my best to succeed at everything I did. I worked super hard to achieve good grades, and I spent equal amounts of time getting better at my favorite sports. I achieved a 4.0 GPA and was the team captain of my football, powerlifting, and track team during my senior year. I played basketball and baseball too. My passion has always been playing sports, but I understood that a similar work ethic needed to be applied to the classroom as well. I was Vice President of Key Club, National Honors Society, and Student Council during my senior year as well. I also helped to create a new club called the Student Coalition for Racial Equality, and I was later named President. I suppose those things might make me stand out, but I tried my best to relate to every one of my peers throughout high school. I wanted to succeed, but I didn’t want to stick out from the crowd too much. I had an elementary school teacher tell me that being humble was the best trait to have, and I try to stick to that. I decided to attend the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire to pursue a degree in Social Studies Education. I also play intramural hockey and club baseball in my spare time. However, sports have sort of taken a backseat these days so I can focus on my academics. I realized that being a teacher is a much more serious job than I previously thought. It’s safe to say that educators have an extremely large influence on the future of the world. Most kids spend more time with their teachers than their parents. Because of this, teachers play a significant role in fostering the youth of the world. The future lay within the hands of the educator, and that’s a big responsibility. With that being said, I recognize my role in shaping the future. Most people in this world can name at least one teacher who had a significant impact on them. This was a teacher that cared for them individually and recognized them as a person, not just as a student. I don’t think that’s too much to ask, and it can change the world for the better. By treating my students as people, and forming some much-needed relationships with them, I can leave a positive impact on the world. Sometimes all a student needs is someone to listen, and I’d be more than willing to do that. I love talking about history, but I’m certain that I can do more than that.

Growing up in a small town in Southern Wisconsin, there wasn't much to do other than focus on my academics and play sports. So, that's exactly what I did. I loved competing on the football field, the basketball court, and the baseball diamond, but at one point or another those aspirations were bound to end. With that in mind, I decided I ought to devote some time to another area that I especially loved: social studies. From a very young age I was enamored with world history, European history, and even geography. I had some wonderful teachers throughout my academic journey who only helped to develop this passion further. It felt right that I pursue a Social Studies Education major so that I could do the same for my future students. I think part of the reason why I loved social studies so much was because of the teachers that I had along the way. From middle school on, it always seemed like my favorite teacher was my social studies teacher. Aside from the fact that they were teaching my favorite subject, they always had a way of keeping things interesting and engaging. I think this is the easiest way to inspire my future students. It doesn't matter what subject you're teaching, the only way you can effectively convey your lesson to students is to make things engaging. I think a lot of this goes into the teacher's daily attitude and spirit. It's so easy to get bogged down by the monotonous schedule of the school year, and this typically leads to some lack-luster attitudes by students and teachers alike. However, by reminding myself why I chose this job in the first place, I believe that I can more easily attack each day with a positive mindset and a fresh sense of teaching. I've already spent some time in classrooms learning how to keep students engaged, and I've spent my past summers working as a day-camp counselor to get a better feel on how kids behave. With these tools under my belt, and a positive mindset, I have no doubt that I can inspire my students each and every day.

My name is Wyatt Draves. I grew up in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin with my two parents and a twin sister. I went to North Fond du Lac High School and tried my best to succeed at everything I did. I worked super hard to achieve good grades, and I spent equal amounts of time getting better at my favorite sports. I achieved a 4.0 GPA and was the team captain of my football, powerlifting, and track team during my senior year. I played basketball and baseball too. My passion has always been playing sports, but I understood that a similar work ethic needed to be applied to the classroom as well. I was Vice President of Key Club, National Honors Society, and Student Council during my senior year as well. I also helped to create a new club called the Student Coalition for Racial Equality, and I was later named President. I suppose those things might make me stand out, but I tried my best to relate to every one of my peers throughout high school. I wanted to succeed, but I didn’t want to stick out from the crowd too much. I had an elementary school teacher tell me that being humble was the best trait to have, and I try to stick to that. I decided to go to school at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire to pursue a degree in Social Studies Education. I also play intramural hockey and club baseball in my spare time. However, sports have sort of taken a backseat for now so I can focus on my academics. I realized that being a teacher is a much more serious job than I previously thought. It’s safe to say that educators have an extremely large influence on the future of the world. Most kids spend more time with their teachers than their parents. Because of this, teachers play a significant role in fostering the youth of the world. The future lay within the hands of the educator, and that’s a big responsibility. With that being said, I recognize my role in shaping the future. Most people in this world can name at least one teacher who had a significant impact on them. This was a teacher that cared for them individually, and recognized them as a person and not just as a student. I don’t think that’s too much to ask, and it can change the world for the better. By treating my students as people, and forming some much-needed relationships with them, I can leave a positive impact on the world. Sometimes all a student needs is someone to listen, and I’d be more than willing to do that. I love talking about history, but I’m certain that I can do more than that.

Before I got to high school, I hadn't experienced much of the world. I wouldn't say I was sheltered, but I usually kept to things that I was familiar with. That all changed when my youth group at church announced that we would be going on a mission trip to Houston that summer. My grandma loved the idea of getting me out of the house for a week to go and do some good in the world, so before I knew it I was on a plane to Texas. I had never left my home state of Wisconsin before, but that was about to change. It was truly incredible just to be in Houston, but the coming days proved to have a lasting impact on me. During the trip, my youth group bounced around the city doing everything from mowing lawns in public parks to cleaning up trash in residential neighborhoods. Houston had recently been hit by a hurricane, so our assistance was vital to helping such a large community rebound from catastrophe. I didn't mind getting my hands dirty, but what made it even easier was the gratitude of those we were helping. I'm not sure I've ever seen more smiles and given more hugs in my entire life, and it felt great. It was truly life-altering to meet these people who were different from me and be able to find common ground by helping them. The smiles and the hugs made it all worth it. It was a very fulfilling experience overall. So, once I returned home, I was sure to email my high school's Key Club director to see if I could join. I was a member of that volunteer organization for all four years of high school and served as Vice-President during my senior year. I've tried to stay involved during college too. I volunteered at a local sporting goods store in March to help younger kids get fitted for baseball bats. I also helped to direct runners in a popular 5K that goes around my campus. No matter how many things I do, the feeling I get when I help someone never gets old. I suppose volunteering has positively altered my mindset. There's so much negativity in the world these days, and there are plenty of people out there who think it's a dog-eat-dog world. Frankly, that couldn't be further from the truth. There's always someone out there who's willing to help, and that idea has given me a more optimistic outlook on humanity. A few bad eggs don't spoil the rest of us, and I wish more people would go out and volunteer to learn this lesson for themselves. I've been tasked with paying for my schooling since day one. My parents got a divorce when I was entering middle school, which left me sleeping at my grandparent's house half the time. My dad struggled with his mental health and substance abuse after the split, which made it difficult for him to hold down a steady job. My mom has had to work hard to get where she is now, and money is still rather tight. I wouldn't want to be a burden on either of my parents, so I've never even asked if they could help pay for my schooling. Besides, the answer would probably be no, which is completely understandable. I'm in charge of my future, and that includes the money side of things too. Every bit of assistance helps. College isn't cheap, but I refuse to let that stop me from pursuing my dreams.

My name is Wyatt Draves. I grew up in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin with my two parents and a twin sister. I went to North Fond du Lac High School and tried my best to succeed at everything I did. I worked super hard to achieve good grades, and I spent equal amounts of time getting better at my favorite sports. I achieved a 4.0 GPA and was the team captain of my football, powerlifting, and track team during my senior year. I played basketball and baseball too. My passion has always been playing sports, but I understood that a similar work ethic needed to be applied to the classroom as well. I was Vice President of Key Club, National Honors Society, and Student Council during my senior year as well. I also helped to create a new club called the Student Coalition for Racial Equality, and I was later named President. I suppose those things might make me stand out, but I tried my best to relate to every one of my peers throughout high school. I wanted to succeed, but I didn’t want to stick out from the crowd too much. I had an elementary school teacher tell me that being humble was the best trait to have, and I try to stick to that. I decided to attend the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire to pursue a degree in Social Studies Education. I also play intramural hockey and club baseball in my spare time. However, sports have sort of taken a backseat so I can focus on my academics. I realized that being a teacher is a much more serious job than I previously thought. It’s safe to say that educators have an extremely large influence on the future of the world. Most kids spend more time with their teachers than their parents. Because of this, teachers play a significant role in fostering the youth of the world. The future lay within the hands of the educator, and that’s a big responsibility. With that being said, I recognize my role in shaping the future. Most people in this world can name at least one teacher who had a significant impact on them. This was a teacher that cared for them individually and recognized them as a person, not just as a student. I don’t think that’s too much to ask, and it can change the world for the better. By treating my students as people, and forming some much-needed relationships with them, I can leave a positive impact on the world. Sometimes all a student needs is someone to listen, and I’d be more than willing to do that. I love talking about history, but I’m certain that I can do more than that.

As my mom often tells me, it was pretty clear even when I was growing up that I would end up in a career where I could help people. This can take many different forms, and the idea has evolved quite a bit for me over the years. However, the main theme never changed. I knew that whatever career path I chose, I wanted to make a difference in this world by helping people. I currently plan to pursue a career in secondary education, specifically as a history teacher. My passion for history is only rivaled by my passion to better people's lives, so this path just made sense to me. For many people, myself included, some of the most influential people in their lives are former or current teachers. Sometimes all a person needs is just someone to listen, and that's exactly what teachers can do. I had an English teacher during my Junior and Senior year of high school who left a lasting impact on me. He taught more advanced-level courses but was very different from the other higher-level teachers that I had worked with before. When you walked into Mr. D's classroom, he made you feel like an equal. Our discussions seemed more like conversations than modified lectures. His jokes could put a smile on anyone's face, no matter what kind of day you were having. Most of all, Mr. D would listen to his students. Whether it was on a personal level or class-wide, Mr. D not only valued what you had to say but also how you felt. This went a long way in terms of my enjoyment of his class. I never disliked English, but clearly, I've always been more of a history type. However, because it was Mr. D, I put everything I had into that class purely out of my appreciation for him. Not only was Mr. D an educator, but by the end of it, I'd say he was a friend. The bond that he formed with me changed my entire outlook on how a teacher should act, and he did this for countless other students as well. No longer was it a teacher-student relationship we had, but rather that of two buddies who read some books and wrote some essays together. Being able to form relationships with students is one of the more appealing aspects of becoming a secondary school teacher. For some kids, these bonds can be life-changing. Such is the case for me, but it could also run much deeper than that. It would be extremely naive to believe that numerous high school students aren't battling problems relating to mental health, substance use, or anything else for that matter. For many of them, their problem stems from their life at home. However, my role as a teacher can prove to be pivotal in helping out these young adults. Creating a safe space and simply listening to what a student has to say can go a long way in addressing any sort of problem they may be facing. I take that role very seriously and understand the importance of doing such things. All I can hope for is to have a lasting impact on my students' lives, much like what was done for me. As a teacher, I can be a difference-maker.

If I could have everyone in the world read one book, it would be The Turtle Warrior by Mary Relindes Ellis. The book is not very well-known but has such a beautiful yet painful story to tell. It was introduced to me in my English class during my Junior year of high school and I loved every second of reading it. Without giving too much away, I will explain why it is so moving. The story takes place in a small Wisconsin town. Wisconsin also happens to be my home state, but I will leave my bias at the door. The book tells the story of the Lucas family during the 1960s and on. Father John Lucas is extremely abusive to his wife Claire and his two sons Jimmy and Bill. Much of the book centers around the pain and hardships the family experiences because of the estranged patriarch. That pain, and how the affected family members try to live around it, is essentially the plot of the book. Not a super complicated book, but it is masterfully written. The reason I believe everyone in the world should read this book has to do with the subject it deals with. Domestic abuse is an especially touchy subject for most people, and there is a great deal to be learned about it from simply reading this book. The emotions that Ellis can convey through this text is nothing short of a masterpiece, and by the time the book is finished, it feels as if you had just lived an entire lifetime. The book has at least one character that just about any reader can relate to, and that's part of the reason why it is so moving as well. The emotional connection that Ellis can develop between the reader and the characters makes it all the more heartbreaking when things take a turn for the worst. It's not often that a book can move me to tears, but this is one of those books.

I will never forget the day. I was just finishing up at work when my Grandmother texted me saying she was out front to pick me up. I had just gotten my learner's permit so I was in good spirits as I jumped behind the steering wheel. My demeanor quickly changed as I realized that my Grandma was awfully quiet. She said very little on the drive home, and it was at that point I realized something was up. I took one step through the door and saw two strangers standing in the kitchen. They introduced themselves as detectives from the local police department. At this point, I already knew what had happened. My father had struggled with his mental health since he and my mother separated. Things did not end very well between the two of them, and seeing my mom move on so quickly took its toll on him. He resorted to his only escape: alcohol. It was a weekly occurrence to come home on a Friday or Saturday and find my dad passed out on the couch or in his bed with an empty bottle nearby. Those were the good nights. It was much more traumatic to come home and find him still awake, either crying or enraged. This went on for quite some time until it seemed as if things had gotten better. However, things took a turn for the worst. Once I sat down, I was informed that my father was upstairs talking to another detective, and he was doing okay. He had been drunk for most of the afternoon in his apartment and had fired a gun off less than an hour before. My imagination was left to decide where the bullet was supposed to go. I decided to not try and find out. Although I was extremely relieved to hear that he was doing alright, there would still be repercussions for his actions. After saying my goodbyes, I went a few months before I was able to speak to him again. That night is still very much alive in my memories, and always will be. The emotions I experienced in that short amount of time were enough to make me want to sleep for a week. It is also because of that night that I developed my own belief on alcohol. No matter where I find myself, no matter how terrible life may seem, I will never resort to alcohol as an escape. I've seen what it can do to my family, and I've especially seen what it can do to my dad. That's not something I want for me or anyone else in this world for that matter. There are better ways to find help. There's always someone out there who is willing to listen, but they definitely will not be found at the bottom of a bottle. Who knows, if things had played out differently I could even be without my dad. I was lucky. He was lucky. But not everyone is that lucky, and that's the real heartbreaker.

It's no exaggeration when people say that teaching is one of the most difficult jobs out there, especially for high school teachers. Most high school-aged kids dread waking up and spending seven to eight hours of their day learning, and quite honestly, I don't blame them. Not too long ago I was in the same position. Six classes per day, all an hour long, just to sit in the same seat and watch a teacher click through a presentation while rambling on about boring information. I'm thankful for my education of course, but I could've used a little spice in my daily routine. Just about anyone can click the right arrow on their computer to make the PowerPoint slide change, but it takes a real teacher to inspire their students. I vow to never be simply a PowerPoint clicker, but rather an educator true and through. Moving away from the computer and towards the front of the classroom is a great start to inspiring students, but it will probably take more than that to even gain a student's full attention. However, teaching interactively is sure to help develop a sense of interest. From there, considering I wish to become a history teacher, the rest should take care of itself. As I've found out, there's something for everyone hiding in the past. It's for this same reason that my love for history developed in the first place. By teaching from a range of magnitudes and perspectives, it should be possible to have every student relate to at least some aspect of the past. That connection can provide a spark towards inspiration. Granting my students the freedom to read or write about a topic that they can relate to furthers this spark. From there, it's on the student themselves to be inspired. That's what I find so beautiful about history. When given the right tools and resources, anyone can find a piece of information that they resonate with. It's surely possible that this information lights the fire within them to change the world. Or, at the very least, to be a good person. At the end of the day, isn't that what life is all about?