My goal is to make a difference and reach people, or should I say children. I am writing as a teacher candidate who is passionate about the developmental growth and progress of her students. Through working as a paraprofessional for three years I have gained experience through being an aide to the teachers I’ve worked with as well as the students. My first three school years I worked in a third grade classroom. There I would help manage the classroom and assist the teacher when needed. I worked closely with students and helped them in understanding material. Sometimes you have to relay the information in a different way because there are many different learning styles and it isn’t a “one size fits all”. With my current role as an attendance liaison I work closely with administration to record data and identify students who are at risk of being truant. We conduct meetings with parents to develop an attendance plan and find ways that we can work together to improve their child’s attendance. I’ve helped families, who are displaced, get connected with transportation services because by law they are protected and have access to those services. Sometimes families aren’t in control of the life circumstances they are in. We have to be able to connect with the families and support them when needed. When working with children while in school, majoring in Education, I am able to apply many of the skills I’ve learned through courses as well as learn about things through first hand experience and from the experiences of my coworkers. When working with students you get to know them, their personalities, unique abilities, strengths and weaknesses and as a teacher you work to empower and support them to reach their highest potential. With that being said, my plan is to continue reaching students and families in any way that I can. I look forward to seeing the growth of my students both academically and personally.