I desire to make a difference in this world and impact the lives of youth. I chose the field of education because I see education as a great privilege. I believe in providing equal educational opportunities for all students. Teaching provides a special opportunity to reach out to and serve the youth of our nation. Teachers are able to pass on the value of learning and aid students in becoming the best individuals and citizens they can become. I absolutely love working with kids. I believe in and care about my students individually and collectively. I am patient and driven, committed to giving everything I can to help my students succeed. I firmly believe that all students are capable of learning. I am organized, reliable, and hardworking. I will always be there when I am needed. I am optimistic and not one to quit when situations become difficult. I value personal interaction and relationships. I want to work in an environment where I am able to interact with people and build relationships on a daily basis. I value teamwork and cooperation. I want to be a part of a team that works together towards a meaningful purpose. I value hard work and dedication. I want to emphasize and instill positive and productive life skills in my students. I have had several enriching experiences over the past few years that have helped me prepare for a career in education. For one summer, I taught geometry to middle school students through Breakthrough Collaborative in Denver, CO. For two years, I was a Residential Assistant, helping students adjust to college and enforcing policies. I have observed and assisted a middle school business teacher in Maryville, MO. I have assisted and co-taught with a middle school mathematics teacher in Saint Joseph, MO. I am currently studying Middle School Math and Business Education at Northwest Missouri State University. Also, I am currently individually tutoring several students in mathematics, ranging from 4th to 11th grade. In my free time, I take the time to read education articles and books to help me prepare and learn as much as I can about the profession I am entering. One of the most impactful books I read recently was The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher by Harry K. Wong. Among other topics, it discussed the importance of classroom management and high expectations. I am receiving a high-quality education and am excited to put into practice all of the experiences and information I have obtained throughout my college career. Throughout my education and experiences, I have come to realize that as a teacher, I need to have high expectations for myself as well as for my students. I believe in assisting students in discovery and encouraging them to take responsibility for their own learning. I believe students need to be involved, cared for, and challenged in order to be successful. I believe a structured, well-managed, and engaging classroom environment is most conducive to student learning.