I wish that I could say that writing this statement was easy and that I had every detail and element down to a science about how I would stun and amaze the individuals reviewing my application before I started writing. I can't. Not even close. In fact, if I said that, it would be complete and total lie. I'm a 32 year old who procrastinates, drastically over thinks every detail of everything, constantly asks why and then asks why again, and tends to voice thoughts without out filter or inhibition. It's not because I am incapable of being professional, or because I think or feel I can say what I want, I'm simply and unapologetically hard wired in way that my thinking and perception is different from the average person. I, ladies and gentlemen, am Gifted.

Early on in my grade school career I was identified as a problem student. Even with off the chart test scores, I took too long to complete anything in its entirety. I would easily get stuck on any one concept and completely shut down until I felt I'd gotten it "just right". I would also answer questions in ways that didn't even seem to be relevant to my teachers at that time. It was only with the help and advice of my God Mother, the late Ramona Carter, and my second-grade teacher that my mother had me tested for my schools Gifted program. I qualified and began my journey as a gifted student not long after.

Having been a gifted student in predominantly African American school setting, I believe that it was cultural nuances and lack of understanding that initially led to me being labeled as problemed. In addition, I also believe it was the lack of qualified and professionally developed teachers and specialists that prolonged properly identifying my learning exceptionality. With that being said, It is my intent to obtain parlay the knowledge gained while actively teaching and earning my M.Ed into trainings and professional developments that will aid educators and administrators in early identification of gifted and talented individuals as well as development of means to support said individuals and understand those individuals on an in depth cognitive level.

As for the students that I hope to serve it is my goal to develop a STEM based curriculum for gifted and talented individuals. This curriculum would be project based coupled with open sci-ed elements in order support the forward and meticulous thinking of the gifted and talented individual. It is also a goal of mine one day start a small academy to service these students and give them a place to feel supported and drive their talent of out of the box thinking to innovative and endless heights. In closing I'd like to end with a quote from Albert Einstein, " Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of ones mind to think." Gifted and talented students are innate fact learners and it is my desire to become well versed in understanding them so that their minds are properly nurtured. It is where independent thinking flourishes that education truly begins. I am a proud HBCU Graduate from the Southern University and hold a M.Ed from the University of Georgia in Educational Psychology. I am also certified to teach Biology 7th-12th grade, AP Biology Certified and hold a Gifted Endorsement. I am an endorsed Instructional Coach and a candidate for Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction.