With both my mom and grandma working at every school I had attended until High school, I had every reason to be motivated. I was surprised to know the impact my family would have on people I considered strangers. Having adults walk up to my mom in stores thanking her for early memories of care and love revealed the power of caretakers to me at a young age and as I would find myself outcasted a lot throughout my education, yet there was always a teacher that pushed me to want more for myself and heightened my curiosity about the world around me and the community of support to guide me. Growing up In Alabama there wasn't a house or face that passed by that my family didn't know. Everyone called each other family and could never shy away from lending words of experience and wisdom. As we moved to the city of San Rafael with my grandma while I was still in elementary school like any student may experience, I felt extremely alone. Isolated from my peers due to my differences I found comfort in my teachers and women in my home who would go above and beyond to ensure I had a place in any room I entered and that feeling would give purpose to my life in many ways in the years to follow. As a child I found myself wanting to first be a therapist. I had my first few therapy sessions in middle school which provided a safe space for me and provided guidance wherever needed. I knew that I wanted to hear and help those who felt their voices were unheard in any way that I could and in my last year of middle school I would finally get the opportunity to create my path to do so. In 2015 I was invited to volunteer with my mom for Bay Area Community Resources where she helped 5-10 year olds with their homework. By the end of the homework session, they would host something called community circle where everyone had a turn to voice their opinions on the day while others listened. The experience would single-handedly redirect my path towards teaching. Fast forward and I have been working with the same school district for the past 6 years while attending San Rafael High School taught me balance and classes like PAL would encourage and advocate for making a change in the world around you. Early events like these would create the walkway for my future. Once I graduated in 2019 I attended the College of Marin and while I still enjoyed psychology and the studies of reason, I found myself the happiest when I was with the children who made up my community. At this time I was working as an Instructional assistant and an afterschool teacher allowing me to be in several classrooms, going around and soaking up any of the experience that I could. Getting to know generations of children and their siblings and cousins and being able to share stories of sorrow and joy has allowed me to feel in tune with my community despite any language barriers. I hope to continue this path through Dominican and stand as a voice or an ear to anyone who needs it.