The Pursuit For My Master 's Degree

After graduation, I committed myself to learning new things and more importantly to try things that intimidated and frightened me. While doing so, I searched for and found a way to make a change in the lives of those who needed help the most. I became a career advisor for one of Washington D.C’s largest workforce development projects. I was tasked with the responsibility of teaching DC’s welfare population the essential skills needed to progress in life, and succeed in the workforce. Having overcame being a learning disabled student, and traumatic brain injury I was

My passion for the rights and advancement of people with disabilities started after my son Jacob (name used with his permission) was born with special needs. I accepted this new life path and absorbed myself in knowledge. Management at his early intervention program recognized my drive, commitment, love and leadership skills and sent me to attend trainings, workshops and conferences on their behalf, in return, I created and presented in-service trainings for parents and staff. As a single parent, I embraced this method of acquiring knowledge, skills and resources in a journey I am still forging.

Mitch Albom, a best selling author of Tuesdays with Morrie once said, “The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.” In the book Tuesdays with Morrie an old, free spirited college professor diagnosed with ALS, rekindles his relationship with a student from his past; all the while teaching each other, and the world, how to enjoy the important parts of life and death. Consequently, the theme of Tuesdays with Morrie is “Devote yourself to what gives your life meaning.”

My life experience, coupled with my recent studies, gives me a perspective and skill set that is all encompassing in a setting that promotes and honors academic excellence. As a life-long learner, I am choosing to pursue my MSW to accentuate my professional expertise with clinical proficiency in order to serve the Latino Community, with a special interest on immigrant children, and develop emotional resilience that will last them a lifetime.

Every individual deserves compassionate relationships with others and deserves to have every opportunity at being the best version of themselves. I strive to help those who live with disabilities achieve this. Whether it’s helping a child grow in a positive and empathetic environment or assisting the elderly learn or maintain basic skills and become integrated with the community, I emphasize the individuality and skills they each have so they can live at their fullest.

As I discuss in my primary application, Best Buddies has opened my eyes to the struggles of disabled adults. By sharing time with my buddy and the entire organization, I have come to realize the value of the gifts I have in my life, and this has driven me to help my buddy to make his life easier. My experience as a college student has been filled with hard work and new interests, but my time in Best Buddies unlocked an entirely unique perspective that has altered the way I approach everyone who faces challenges, whether it be the disabled or patients battling disease.

Pursuing significance is not merely growing personally due to a challenging medical situation; it is choosing to live a life led for others because of overcoming adversity – to foster a compassionate connection with the community that will give the chronically ill an equal chance at flourishing. Selflessly acting as an agent for change via the promotion of acceptance and inclusivity of people with disabilities within society is significant. Becoming an attorney will allow me to live a life of significance by working toward successfully diminishing the stigma of disabled people being often perceived as helpless or faking their symptoms – since many disabilities are not physically visible – for sympathy from non-disabled people. Consequently, stigma related to disabilities is a major barrier to creating an inclusive community which can

I currently possess a bachelor's degree in the psychological field. I utilize my degree to help others as a substitute teacher and a behavior coach. I have had many challenges in obtaining my bachelors degree. One of the greatest obstacles was financial stability. As a single person, I had to work two jobs, as well as attend school. I worked as a teacher's assistant by day, and a substitute custiodian by night; this was all the while working towards my degree. I worked Monday through Friday, twelve hours a day, in order to support myself while going to school full time. I made sure to work both jobs on consistent days, so that my weekends could be free in order to complete my school work. This was with no exception, the most challenging

With family encouragement and support, I hold many goals.  In my mind, there’s constantly a goal to be reached. In ten days, I plan to drink more water, to survive track practice. In ten months, I picture walking on a college.  In ten years, I’ll be an anesthesiologist in the military. I long to assist people because people always need help at some point in their life. If given half of a million dollars and time, I would invest in a Pro Bono hospital in my community. I want my community members to attain the care they need, regardless of their financial limitations. I want desperate people to know there’s support out there.

to pursuing my profession. Especially all of the Physical Education classes that I have taken to stay in shape and stay strong. Many D1 colleges for soccer recommend having them. Weather having a weights class or just simply a sports class. I have always gave it my all know matter how tired I was faller for me has never been a option on success for a brighter future.

Witnessing social injustices, homelessness, child abuse, discrimination among those disabled has made me empathetic to others and has motivated me in wanting to create social change. While working at Borough of Manhattan Community College[BMCC] Admissions office, I have been able to see the many factors that make it difficult for many to make it through college among them lack of resources, social challenges. Lack of effective communication between students, teachers and school also contributes to the difficulties I see student face the majority of time. Students who have a disability are restricted, placed in awkward situations due to insufficient accessibility within schools. Ignorance, lack of awareness, discrimination within students, staff members makes it problematic for these students to seek help resulting in alienation. Having the opportunity to work with students daily, helping them transition from high school to college, advising them, becoming aware of daily issues have resulted in my desire to serve students and families.

As a Case Manager and Educator, I am self-motivated with helping kids, elderly, and people with disabilities from abuse, neglect, and exploitation, who voices are unheard and often are ignored. I have made it a personal mission; By joining DFPS to assure that each person lives in a safe environment but have an opportunity to thrive and have an equal chance to live like others. I feel the proper approach to making sure this happens is by addressing their needs in a holistic manner. Having worked in direct services for twenty plus years as a Case Manager mainly in non-profits organizations and in the has provided me the opportunity live out my dreams by helping people to narrow their barriers to an unhealthy and unsafe environment.

Today many see their purpose in life is to help those who cannot help themselves, it is through this found purpose that they find “the good.”

Goal Statement Three I have a goal of finishing my graduate studies at the American College of Education to get a Master of Education in Health and Wellness. In Illinois, having the degree and the knowledge obtain through learning, I shall be able to help my students with special need to have a good vision of a future career. I understand that most students with special needs have either no images of themselves as working adults in the future, or have primarily negative ones. Encourage these students by helping them make links between their strengths and the requirements of specific jobs or careers will strengthen their confidence and their determination to have one in the

When we were kids, my sister and I always had one question. My parents have said that they would be pushing us both in a stroller in the middle of the mall and my older sister would ask “what’s his name?” She would keep repeating this until they gave her an answer—whether or not it was an accurate one. Sitting next to her, I would then pipe up saying “why?” and (as expected) this question stumped them. This “why” question established my interest in the field of psychology and in my future pursuit of academia. Why do people act and feel the way they do?