Making a Difference by Nicole

Making a Difference by Nicole - February 2024 Scholarship Essay

I have always loved working with children, from babysitting to teaching swimming lessons and I always knew that I wanted to grow up and be an elementary school teacher.
I’ve struggled throughout school, but I have a passion for learning. Math and reading were always difficult for me and I’ve had to spend hours working with tutors and staying after class with teachers. I’m proud of how successful I’ve become and I know that I will always remember my own challenges and use them to help me be a better teacher, especially with children that struggle like I did. But now I want to take that a step further and become a Special Education teacher, because of my experience with the Social Club at my high school.

This year I joined the Wall High School Social Club, which is one of the most meaningful things I’ve ever done in my life and it’s made me even more excited to become a teacher. The club’s goal is to “integrate students with disabilities with general education peers in social activities in and outside of school.” I spend hours a week with the students, well beyond the club-scheduled activities like playing kickball and flag football. I go to their classroom during my lunch and homeroom periods, just to talk and hang out. The children get so genuinely excited to see me. Right before the holiday break we took the club on a field trip to a shopping mall. We helped them pick out Christmas gifts for their family members, while teaching them to stay within their budgets. After shopping we went to lunch at the Cheesecake Factory, which was a very special treat and I was thrilled that I could be part of their special day.

I know I make a difference to the children every day. I saw an Instagram post from a member of the club, Ronnie, and he wrote about me, “Nicole is my high school friend she knows me pretty well and she IS one of my buddies and she’s part of the social club just like I am.” This post showed the personal connection and feeling of inclusion that I’ve brought to Ronnie and how I made a difference.

I always wanted to become a teacher, but because of my involvement with the Social Club children, I’ve decided to study Special Education. The perspective I’ve gained by working the members of the Social Club and their teachers has opened my eyes to a group of childnren than can use my help when I become a teacher. As a future teacher I look forward to teaching students like Ronnie the skills they will need to live successful, productive and happy lives.