Fourth Grade Teacher

Ever since I was a little girl, my favorite playtime was being a teacher. I would set up my teddy bears and dolls as my students and teach them for hours. As I reflect on how young I was, I think it’s safe to say I was born to be a teacher. From my first experience in school as a kindergartner, people would always ask “What do you want to be when you grow up?” and I always answered, “A Teacher”. There was never any other thought in my mind and thanks to that I have always had a laser-like focus to become a teacher. I am sitting here today and extremely grateful that I was able to pursue my life’s dream. While I always had a natural born tendency to become a teacher, I also believe the teachers I encountered throughout my schooling helped continue to influence me on my path of education.

As I reflect on my educational experience, I took at least one good quality from each teacher I had and used it as motivation to be something like them one day. I was always interested and in awe of my teachers as I looked up to them, knowing I wanted to become a version of them in the future. I was always inspired by the passion teachers had for teaching and learning. I always knew I wanted to be that person of influence when I became an adult to give back to students what my teachers gave to me, the lifelong love of learning. To this day, I still communicate with my inspirational teachers, and they always state how happy they are that I became a teacher as well.

One of my greatest contributions and accomplishments in education is having my former students come visit me whether they are in high school or graduated to tell me all about their lives. After 12 years of teaching, many of my students are adults and my life’s work is officially coming full circle as my students come back to acknowledge my small but influential contribution to their success, just as my teachers did for me. Seeing my second and fourth grade students grow into adults and take the time to visit and share their journey with me is what continues to inspire me to be influential to my current students. My greatest accomplishment is inspiring my students to use their love of learning to find their passion in life.

As a Teacher, I feel that it is important to create positive teacher-student relationships that promote student learning. As a Special Education Teacher, I can work closely with my students, which allows me the opportunity to get to know my students individually. By investing time and effort into building relationships, I try to make sure that my students feel comfortable in asking for help with their classwork and other assignments. Teaching requires teachers to recognize the diverse needs of their students and adapt instructional methods to accommodate various learning styles. By having flexibility in my teaching methods, students can participate meaningfully in the learning process, and it creates a learning environment where knowledge extends beyond the classroom.

One of the most important tasks of being an outstanding teacher is to ensure that my students’ overall well-being is addressed. This may often get overlooked however, I have found that it is imperative for students to feel safe, supported, and their needs are met in order for them to be comfortable enough to open their minds to the endless possibilities learning has to offer. 

Social Worker

My decision to become a school social worker was influenced by several personal factors. I’ve always felt a strong sense of empathy and compassion for others, coupled with a deep concern for their welfare and a natural desire to help. These qualities drew me to the field of social work. I was also attracted to the collaborative nature of school social work, where professionals work alongside healthcare providers, educators, and community leaders in a supportive, multi-disciplinary environment. The opportunity to support children, their families, and communities during difficult times is a powerful motivator for me. These are the main factors that shaped my career path toward this profession.

As a school social worker, my role primarily revolves around supporting students' emotional, social, and academic development. I provide individual and group counseling, academic and career guidance, conflict resolution, and crisis intervention. I collaborate with teachers and parents, develop programs, offer resources, and advocate for students' needs. These programs aim to promote mental health, emotional intelligence, and healthy relationships while addressing challenges like bullying, substance abuse, self-esteem, and stress. I also assist students in coping with anxiety, grief, family issues, and peer conflicts.

My direct impact on students involves offering emotional support, helping them navigate challenges, and reducing emotional barriers that could hinder their academic success. By normalizing conversations about mental health and providing counseling, I help students understand the importance of mental well-being, which enhances their overall success. To excel in this role, it’s crucial to possess strong empathy, active listening, and communication skills, while remaining culturally competent and adhering to the NASW Code of Ethics. Creating a safe and supportive environment where students feel emotionally secure, academically supported, and empowered to pursue their goals has a lasting impact on their well-being and future success.