Adams+TELL+step+2

When I was junior in high school, I shadowed a classroom at Mountainview Elementary School for my graduation project. My brother gave me the idea to shadow a classroom with children who had Autism. I didn't know much about Autism, but I wanted to go and see what it was like to be in the classroom. When I got there I immediately fell in love with the children. They were just full of energy and fun to be around. I thought they were the coolest kids I have ever met. There was a young boy there, Scotty who came up to me and grabbed my hand and tried to ask me to help him tie his sneaker.That's when I knew this was something I wanted to do. Scotty inspired me to want to be a special ed. teacher.
 * Before college**

During my summer vacation after my frehsmen year, I got a job as a paraprofessional, and that really had a huge impact on my life. I worked at Central Dauphin East High School for six weeks. I worked with teenagers who had mulitiple disablities. It was the toughest thing I ever had to do and it was rewarding at the same time. I tutored them and helped them eat and drink. I also sometimes got really depressed after leaving school because I felt so bad for them and some of the students were older than me. I wanted them to be able to experience what I had already done like college and being able to do everyday things. My experience there only made me want to teach special education because they taught me so much about life and how to be truly happy with things that come my way. I was so grateful to have met some of the most extraordinary kids.
 * During college**

After college I imagine myself sitting at my desk in a classroom. It's a special education room. One day I hope to teach third and fourth graders who have Autism. I can see the classroom in an organized order with a lot pictures telling kids their schedules and how to communicate with others. I hope one day I can watch kids succeed and know that I did something good with my life. I want to help others and learn from them as well. I want this challenge because not many people want to teach special ed.
 * After college**