Teaching has been a process of educating myself. I started by having an illusion of what it was. I imagined beautifully decorated classrooms with children who listened at all times. It was different, and I enjoyed it even more. Through my various experiences as a teacher, I learned to prioritize students' Social and educational learning experiences. Getting a master's in special education will provide valuable skills needed in my development as a teacher. Studying with the TCPCG program would allow me to provide the proper techniques and serve students better. I was in my second year of college when I started thinking about teaching. I did not know I would be good since I was intimidated by speaking in front of groups of people. I was lucky enough to have a teacher who encouraged me to study art education. I had always been good at art, and I figured if I was going to be a teacher, I could teach something I understood. I decided to study at Long Island University. The art department was small and familiar, and the education department was very supportive. During my years at Long Island University, we were taught to teach in an urban setting using techniques not commonly used in New York City classrooms. While in college, I worked in a special ed after-school program in Astoria. The students that I worked with were mainly diagnosed with autism. This program was my first encounter with special education, and I enjoyed it. It was hard work, but a simple smile or seeing progress and one of the students made your day. I worked in an outreach program at The Metropolitan Museum of Art when I graduated. We reached out to communities that generally were in need of access to museums. Working at The Met was a fantastic experience, going into a classroom and exposing students to the art of the city. I then taught English as a second language to children in South Korea. In South Korea, I learned how different cultures approach education. It was an invaluable experience that broadened the way I teach. I procured a job with the New York City Board of Education when I returned to the United States. I was the head teacher in a school in the South Bronx. I worked with children from kindergarten through third grade and special education classes here. The special education classes always stood out with the artwork they created. They always flourished through their art. It is a beautiful way to communicate without using traditional language, which some had slight dominance over. I learned a lot about classroom management at this school. Mainly, classroom management starts with you. You must be consistent and resilient. I learned of the challenges that children face as immigrants and as children of different socio-economic backgrounds. How much would their lives affect their schooling, attitudes, and what they become? From there, I moved to Title One Catholic schools. We provided an art program to multiple schools that still needed art. I experienced a strong sense of pride in students' attitudes in Catholic schools. The consistency and discipline they were exposed to held the students and parents to a higher standard. In the Dominican Republic, I worked with students from kindergarten to college, teaching English as a second language. Once again, this was an experience that I would always remember. The students were appreciative, respectful, and hard-working. When I returned to the States, I was offered a job as an administrator of healthcare. While doing administrative and clinician work at hospitals, I never got away from teaching. I would always be the designated trainer. I decided to come back to teaching once my children were school-age. I started working at Greenwich School Systems as an ELA assistant, where I found my renewed passion. I am currently a 6th grade Spanish teacher. I enjoy seeing people flourish. Teaching has always been part of me. Completing a Masters of Special education program will allow me to continue my education towards being a better educator.