Having come from a single-parent household was tough, but it also provided me with lessons and reasons to be proud of my mom. I come from a family of three siblings and a single mother who, regardless of the circumstances, worked hard to provide for her children. We weren't a family that had luxuries, but we never lacked love, and thanks to this, my mom is now my greatest inspiration to complete my studies. I always remember with nostalgia the times when my mom couldn't join us for school activities because she had to work, or the times when my friends invited me to their birthday parties, but my mom wouldn't let me go because we couldn't afford to buy a gift. These situations were very difficult to understand at that time because I didn't fully grasp our economic situation. But now that I am a mother of two children, I can understand my mom, and possibly for her, it was even more difficult and sad than for me not being able to dedicate more time to us. Being the daughter of a single mom was challenging, but it has shaped me into the woman and mother I am today. She taught me resilience, to be a fighter, and to work hard, but she also taught me to be compassionate with others while never forgetting to be a great mom. When I moved to the United States (from PR), I didn't speak English. In the beginning, it was difficult, but my desire to succeed was greater than my fears. I started going to a community center to take free English classes for months until I felt confident enough to take my first job in the US as a food service worker. That’s when I decided to start going to college. After a year of working at a school cafeteria, I felt my English was good enough to get a paraprofessional job. Nowadays, I have been working for the school district for four years, specifically with children of immigrants who don't speak English. Every day I see myself reflected in them, but being able to help them not only understand and learn the language but also leave behind their fears and see them flourish both academically and personally fills me with inspiration. Thanks to them, in my heart, there is a desire to pursue my master's in educational leadership, to continue helping both children and families in my community. My mom was my example of what I want to be as a mom. Now, I want to make her proud of me, to see that her efforts were worthwhile and that her work bore fruit. I am the first in my family to go to college; now, I want to be the first to finish a master's degree. Now it's my turn to be an example for my children; I want to instill in them a love for education and the community. Let them see that it is possible to fulfill their dreams and goals, regardless of the circumstances.