People ask me a lot why I want to be a teacher. Not always condescendingly, sometimes curious, but mostly for professional reasons. So, why do I want to be a teacher? Because I want someone to be there for the quiet kids, the outsiders, the losers, the freaks, the nerds, the kids that get bullied, the kids that can’t (or won’t) stand up for themselves. The person that is going to do be there for these kids is me. Why, you ask? Because I was (am) that kid. The kid that gets called “freak” in the hallway. The kid that was bullied in the gym locker rooms. The kid that gets told she’s “too quiet” and “needs to speak up more.” The kid that is told she “needs to be more confident in herself,” but has no one to boost her confidence. So, I know what it’s like. I’m going to be there for those kids. I’m going to let them know that it is perfectly acceptable to be themselves, that there is nothing wrong with them. I will make sure they know that it is ok to be quiet, it is ok to be shy, and it is ok to be introverted. That there is no such thing as “too quiet” or “too loud.” That I will accept them for who they are no matter what. That I will help them and encourage them to be the best person that they can be, all while being themselves. I will let them know that they are loved, and appreciated. My students will learn to treat each other with respect, and accept everyone for who they are. I’m in this for the outsiders, the underdogs, the shy kids, and the loners. I know what it’s like to be in their shoes. I’m going to do my best to help boost their confidence. I’m not going to ask them to speak up, or tell them that they’re “too quiet” like my teachers told me. I will encourage them to do their best, and try their hardest. I’m going to appreciate them for who they are and show them that being quiet is a positive, it is a strength, not a weakness, like I have been told multiple times. I will be a successful, introverted, and quiet teacher. And I’m going to be pretty kick-butt at it. I’m going to raise my kids up, not beat them down. And I’m going to do it all while teaching common core and New York State standards, writing lesson plans, going to meetings, collaborating, conversing with parents, managing my emails, and having a (semi) social-life too! I know I can do this, even while others have been telling me I can’t.