I began college at the University of Central Arkansas in the fall 2005 with a determination to teach secondary English.

I had graduated from my high school in Batesville, AR with honors and I believed that I was fully prepared to confront the realities of college. Unfortunately, I had decided to take a junior level literature class during my first semester. I gained the very first C I had ever had that semester as well as a general wariness of literature classes. I decided to change my major, but spent the next year and a half drifting through majors, unable to find one that fit me as well as English education. I was set on sociology in the fall of 2007 when my grandmother fell ill. When it became apparent that my mother couldnt care for her alone, I withdrew from college with the express intention of returning once my grandmother regained her health. I spent the next few months in the hospital with my grandmother and then spent the next four years working in the business field. My goal to return to college drifted after I found a good job that did not require a college degree. During my time working in loss mitigation at a mortgage company, I learned so much, but about loans and bout myself. I got married, bought a house, and adopted a dog: I became an adult. It is with all of the knowledge gained during my time in the real world that I became certain that I wanted to pursue my degree in English education. My time away from school reinforced my belief that teaching is the field where I belong. I am passionate about the content of my field as well as furthering high school students knowledge and appreciation of that content. I believe that it is important to recognize, as a teacher of Language Arts, that not every student will come to my class with a passion about literature that is equal to mine. However, I

think it is necessary to engage the students to understand that everyone has to learn how to closely and analytically read in order to function in the world. I also believe that finding ways to relate the literature to students daily life can help students develop reading skills independent of the lessons. I also believe that students need to gain a global perspective during their time in high school. Introducing new cultures into your classroom is vital to opening students up to new experiences and new ideas. I have traveled through Ireland, Italy, and Spain and I believe this can enhance my classroom instruction. I can incorporate these experiences into lessons and units in order to encourage a rapport with my students as well. All of my experiences have contributed to my knowledge of the world outside of school. I believe that this knowledge will help to make me a more effective and well-rounded teacher who can engage and teach high school students.