I did not always know I wanted to be a teacher. When I was a little girl I wanted to grow up to be a princess, a veterinarian and then a pastry chef. Just before I entered high school I volunteered at a local vacation bible school summer program and all my future plans changed. It was during that summer I discovered my heart belongs in teaching children. Getting to have an influence in a child's life is the most fulfilling feeling in the world. I believe teaching children early is highly influential to their future, giving them the confidence to continue forward with success. I will strive to be a good influence and a great teacher. I intend to be the kind of teacher that cares enough about her students that she notices when one learns a little different than the other kids. The kind of teacher that recognizes the value of investing time and energy and love into the little things so the children can see the beauty of education well beyond elementary school. I want any students I have come thru my classroom to leave with the tools and ability to continue on the best path in their educational career. Along with being able to a positive influence in children's lives I intend to use the structure of education and the classroom as a tool in student's education. I am excited to continue my own education to develop the knowledge and understanding of building lesson plans that will help each student thrive. The ability to make lesson plans that fit each years’ specific group of students is essential for a great classroom environment. In every successful preschool and kindergarten classroom I have been in, the atmosphere is inviting and warm. I want to create a space like that for my future classrooms. Having flexible seating, reading mats, and warm lighting are just the start of the ideas and plans that will make the learning environment inviting, comfortable and safe for students to learn. It may have taken me a few years to realize my passion and dream for my life. Now that I have found it I am willing and ready to do all that I need to pursue that dream and succeed in my career.

Truthfully, I did not always know I wanted to be a teacher. When I was young, like most little girls, my dream was to be a princess or Fancy Nancy. In elementary school I wanted to be a veterinarian and play with cats and puppies all day. As middle school came along I was set on going into the culinary industry and opening my own pastry shop. Then, the summer before my freshman year of high school, a pivotal experience changed everything. That summer my mom had encouraged me to sign up as a volunteer for the vacation bible school at my local church. It was during those weeks I discovered that my heart belongs in teaching children. I fell in love with every aspect of it. Being able to make a difference in a child's life, and watching them figure out a new strategy and to solve a problem, touched a place in my heart I did not know was there. I learned that summer that children have a genuine curiosity for things, for everything. I was honored to watch that curiosity blossom. To see them learn new things made me so much more than happy; I was proud of them. I was proud I got to be a part of that moment for those kids. I know I want to pursue a career in early childhood education because I want to be able to make a difference in children's lives - big or small. Getting to have an influence in a child's life is the most fulfilling feeling in the world. I believe teaching children early is highly influential to their future, giving them the confidence to continue forward with success. I will strive to be a great teacher. The kind of teacher that cares enough about her students that she notices when one learns a little different than the other kids. The kind of teacher that recognizes the value of investing time and energy and love into the little things so the children can see the beauty of education well beyond elementary school. I want any students I have come thru my classroom to leave with the tools and ability to continue on the best path in their educational career. Along with being able to make a positive impact in children's lives and watching them grow I fell in love with the structure of education and the classroom itself. I am excited to develop the knowledge and understanding of building lesson plans that will help each student thrive. The ability to make lesson plans that fit each years’ specific group of students is essential for a great classroom environment. In every successful preschool and kindergarten classroom I have been in, the atmosphere is inviting and warm. I want to create a space like that for my future classrooms. Having flexible seating, reading mats, and warm lighting are just the start of the ideas and plans that will make the learning environment inviting, comfortable and safe for students to learn. It may have taken me a few years to realize the passion and dream for my life. Now that I have found it I am willing and ready to do all that I need to pursue that dream and succeed in my career.

My dog is my best friend. As cliché as that sounds it is the absolute truth. Boston, my German-Shorthair-Pointer-and-Beagle-mix best friend. He is always excited to see me walk thru the front door, he is up for any adventure as simple as a stroll to the mailbox, a six-mile hike, or an afternoon sunning in the back yard. I always know what he is thinking, almost exclusively of how to get the next snack, but I believe he may always know what I am thinking too. At the very least, he always knows what I am feeling. It shows in his face, in how he sits extra close and rests his chin in my lap when I am exhausted and overwhelmed with my courses, or how he loves to grab his rug, shake it up, and show how much of a “tough-guy” he is when he senses I am ready to play and be silly. He watches intently while I get ready for a date, seemingly reminding me that he is my first love and I had better be careful with my heart. Boston was a rescue from Houston, Texas. We brought him home to Washington where he has enjoyed being an adventurous Washingtonian. He spends his days running and hiking, going to dog parks and car rides to get coffee and pup-cups. We even bought him a life vest so I could take him out on the stand-up paddle board, though I will admit, it was not his favorite activity. He will roll around in the grass until he has created the perfect nest and just enjoy the warmth of the sun (when it is out of course). I can tell he is a Texan dog because he will lay out in that sunshine even on our worst 104-degree days, his white body in the beating sun and his little head resting on the cool of the patio tile, apparently a perfect balance of warm and cool. In winter he will contort his body to match the shape of the sun-puddles streaming thru the windows to absorb as much heat as he can and if it is raining he will refuse to go outside alone to potty so I bundle up in my raincoat and take him for a walk. You can take the dog out of Texas but you can’t take Texas out of the dog! I love seeing Boston enjoy his life with me and all of the people who fall in love with his spunk and personality. He is not shy to jump and share kisses with friends when they walk thru the door, his goofy charm winning them over and forgiving his paw prints and fur on their cute outfit. Even the baristas at our favorite coffee stand know him by name and make sure he gets an extra treat while we are on our coffee dates. He quickly learned “should we go get coffee” means car rides and cookies! He will not be satisfied fetching a ball in the back yard he wants me to chase him and play tug-of-war. He will hide in the shrubs and peek out until I sneak up beside him then he runs as fast as he can tail wagging and tongue lolling in joy. He sleeps in my bed and eats under the table. He quite clearly wants me around as I want him. I have never had a fight with him, he has never let me down or bailed on our plans, and he never picks me last. There is no doubt Boston is my best friend.