"A universal fact of us humans, is that we feel more emboldened to reach higher, and dream bigger, when we feel like the people around us believe in, and understand, us in a personal way."

Department

Special Education

Related Degrees

• BEd, Exceptional Students & Elementary Education

Why did you choose to become a teacher, in general?

I’ve always had a passion for working with students, especially those with specialized learning needs. I love to be surrounded by the creativity, joy, and curiosity of children.

Why did you choose to become licensed in special education?

I knew from a young age that I wanted to pursue teaching in some capacity. I had a close friend growing up who qualified for special education. I have many memories of them talking about how undervalued and alone the special education teacher at our school made them feel. An uncomfortable truth is that, in a lot of ways, students with special needs are an afterthought in our education system. I would like to be a part of building a brighter future for SPED students, especially those from lower income communities.

Why do you feel it is important to have diversity in the classroom?

Diversity is a crucial element to have in any classroom, anywhere. A universal fact of us humans, is that we feel more emboldened to reach higher, and dream bigger, when we feel like the people around us believe in, and understand, us in a personal way. Some of the strongest connections can be made between people who are able to consociate with others who share the same universal truths as themselves. Having a diverse classroom, and community (school-wide and otherwise), can help give students opportunities to connect with people who can inspire, motivate, and guide them to being all that they can be in life.