Why education as a topic of interest? 

Ever since a young age, I have loved playing the role of a teacher. It started at age 4, when I taught my stuffed animals how to "read." My love for reading transitioned into my early teens when I would be eager to help my younger cousins with their homework. Now, I continue teaching by being a mentor for other students of all ages. 

For the past two summers I have had the opportunity to be an intern with Preston Taylor Ministries. Their mission states that their goal is to empowers children and youth to discover and live their God-inspired dreams, develop a love for learning, and build joy-filled friendships. I was lucky to have the opportunity to live out their mission by being a reading and bible teacher during the summers of 2016 and 2017.  

During the summer of 2016, I was a reading teacher to over 50 elementary aged children at St. Luke's Community House. At St. Luke's, I learned that each kid needs to be taught differently. Every child is an individual and should be taught in an individualized way. I also learned how every child desires to have the ability to teach others. Once a child mastered a certain reading level, I gave them the opportunity to teach the age level beneath them. Although many kids declined this offer, this taught them that they were capable and smart enough to teach other kids. 

​

This previous summer, I had the opportunity to teach Bible to over 50 elementary aged children at the WIlson Center. At the WIlson Center, I learned the value of being patient and controlled with the kids. These children were harder to control and had a more difficult time paying attention. I was forced to focus on each kid, and the way they learned best. Many kids were distracted by other aspects of their life, and my goal as the teacher was to help these distractions go away. Whether it was giving a child a piece of chewing gum to calm his anger, giving a child an extra lunch to take home to her mom to help her fear in regarding food, or giving an extra hug to a child before she goes home for the weekend to help her anxiety, I learned that helping the little things helps children perform better in the classroom. The teacher needs to treat each child differently in knowing that they are all equal, but uniquely minded children. 

​

From both of these experiences, I learned the value of education. In the world today, knowledge is power. Every kid deserves the right to equal education. As a country, this value should be upheld for future generations. 

​

​