Graduate Certificate Research Paper

Education has played a major role in my life. Growing up I was fortunate enough to have been taught and guided by some truly inspirational teachers, and I appreciate the effect they have had on my life and the choices I made subsequently. My passion for working with students extends from my desire to emulate these role models and inspire others the way I was. This passion for being an educator/mentor has resulted in me having gained a lot of experience in education that will help me in this role as a UW Academy TA.

From a young age, I was taught that education is paramount. Various members of my immediate and extended family work as educators. Many summers I have spent in my mother’s school helping her prepare her classroom, and I enjoy

My first job in the education field was a teacher's aide through Eastern Temporaries. At this job I worked for the Binghamton school district, and went to whichever class they needed me for at the time. One of my

Every summer between 7th grade and my freshman year of college, I would volunteer at a local summer program. This consisted of helping the teachers come up with lesson plans, activities, and games to play. During my last two years, I gained more responsibilities as the “Head Leader in Training” and managed the other volunteers, while designating tasks and responsibilities. I continued working with and coming up with activities during undergrad through the organization Project Literacy. After going over the lessons with the students, we would have a group activity or play a variety of sports with them. Working with children

I started volunteering at Visually Impaired Preschool Services and Kentucky School for the Blind for a service in high school. I loved working with students there and that I wanted a job that I would love to going to everyday. I also feel that students with special needs are seriously underestimated and I want to help those students succeed.

My first day of senior year had been just like every other year, except my schedule was very basic. The goals I had in mind were mainly outside of my time in school. I had been taking college courses online to better prepare myself for college and to eliminate costs in classes, so I had to make sure I passed all of them. Another goal had been to save money from my job to accomplish personal goals after I exit high school.

As I get ready to face my senior year, no body can predict what is going to happen like the weather. Weather is a great example to represent the coming senior year, sometimes it is good and sometimes it is bad. There is nothing much I can do about it. Even though there is a forecast, but still, there is going to be something unexpected.

My interest in special education came about when I got a job at a private preschool for children with autism. It’s the most rewarding job seeing those little ones smile when they mastered a new school. It is also rewarding knowing that you are changing that child’s life. Although, I have seconded guessed my degree multiple time I have always came back to education, but went with a broader field in psychology to expand my availability to careers. I always enjoyed kids and from a little girl I had a skill to teach my peers and for them to learn.

High school, four of the most interesting years of life. It is a time to find yourself and figure out who you are and what you want your place in this world to be. During this process comes friendships that build because of alike interests and beliefs. From freshman year at the bottom of the totem pole, all the way to senior year, being the top dog of your school. It is such a great feeling knowing that those three years of hard work build up to essentially a grand finale. Many big changes happen as you grow older in high school. From summer camps, to starts of a new year. From homecoming week, to the end of sport seasons. From in school privileges to coming to and leaving from school early, and finally Graduation. This grand finale year has some similarities and some differences and as you read on you will see what I mean.

My senior year is coming to an end, high school is pretty much over. With the finish line quickly approaching, I reflect on all the things I’ve done in these past four years and, more importantly, all the things I did not do in the past four years that I probably should have. In retrospect, I never did feel like high school was going to be where the best time of my life would be remembered, but now that it’s pretty much over I think maybe I should have treated it like it was. I would love to be able to say there is nothing I didn’t do that I wanted to and that I didn’t have any regrets, but there is a fair share of both. When I think too much about the end, I get sentimental about the experiences, friends, laughs, awkward moments, and more.

As I am entering my senior year everyone has told me to make sure and slow down because it will be over before I know it. This year I want to learn how to build a strong support group for my emotional well being and grow closer with new people. I am striving to try and make the most of my senior year, so God will prepare me for the upcoming years.

As a high school senior we look into what we want to do in our future. A big part of that is college. How do students know what college has the best opportunities? How do future students narrow down their options? A few things to look at when choosing a college includes the major of your interest, the campus, dorms, and class size.

Determination. The act of deciding definitely and firmly. I’ve strived to live by this word for the past 3 years of my life. As a student, I’ve always wanted to do great in my classes, get straight A’s, and miss as few days as possible, all because of my dad. In 8th grade, at my older sister’s award night, I told him, I would receive better grades than my older sister- (she received great grades but I’m highly competitive). And so the past three years have been full of studying, planning, and striving for A’s. Reaching senior year was something I’ve been waiting for my entire high school career for, because I knew afterward was college, which is the next step.

A short while ago I didn't even view a diploma as an important thing in my life. After meeting my wife I decided that at some point in time I was going to have to get a college diploma to make an impact in the world. Now with my second son on the horizons I view this as the time in my life where I need to do it not only for myself but for my family as well. No family member in my family has a college diploma and I frequently asked myself how can I expect my children to push through college if I don't have the credentials myself. I also work about 60 hours a week, and I miss the essential moments of life that you don't get back just to provide for my family. My wife and I struggle with this because I can only be so involved as a husband and

I grew up loving children of all ages and wanting to be a caregiver. I was the baby sitter and nanny to the neighborhood and my church ward. When I was in High School’s it was no surprise to anyone that I chose to work in the school’s child care center. I continued working with children at several child care centers until I went to school.