"I’ve had the amazing opportunity to work with a variety of students, and understand the importance of the individual. During my time student teaching, substitute teaching, working in a residential care facility, and currently an assistant in the special education department at South Junior High school in Boise, ID. I have experienced all kinds of students with different motivation levels and learning abilities. These students stretched my skills in finding methods to help them experience success, motivating them to continue in their learning process.

I also had the opportunity to work for Upward Bound, a state funded college prep program. During my time at Upward Bound, I learned how to motivate and prepare future college students on setting themselves up for success. This job also developed into a great opportunity to individually invest in the lives of struggling high school students. One of my favorite aspects of working with Upward Bound was getting to know and understand each student, helping them find worth and value in themselves. During this experience I developed focus, grit, communication and leadership. These skills are necessary in any setting, and when used strategically, can be used to take the most unmotivated students and turn them into self-motivated learners.

It is important for people to find meaning in their work, I look forward to helping students while they are in the middle of making that dream of a career a reality, I know I will be able to help uncover new motivation when the classes get hard and guide them into a career that best suits their skills.

I have the patience to work through problems slowly and build up their confidence in their ability to eventually take on new problems on their own.

Along with my degree in education I earned a minor in biology and coaching. I competed in track cross country and swimming and during this time I got to receive a lot of first hand experience with injuries and the anatomy of the healing process.

As a past kid who was not diagnosed" less...