Scholarship Essay Entry – Kimberly K.

I have been working with children with special needs for several years and each day that I work with a child with special needs creates new challenges, new excitement, and a lots of fun. I am currently enrolled at the University of Alberta in the Education program. I am specializing in elementary education with a minor in special education.  I chose a minor in special education to continue to work with children with special needs as I find them amazing people to work and play with. These children have huge hearts and great personalities that makes it fun and challenging to work with them.

After working as an Educational Assistant for 4 years in a school with children with special needs ranging from severe speech and language delays, autism, down syndrome, epilepsy, and behavioural issues, I made the decision to go back to University to pursue my Education degree. Having the experience with a wide range of special needs children already will help me become the best that I can be when I am finished university and begin my teaching career. I wish to become a teacher and influence the lives of children in positive, fun ways. After teaching for a few years I plan to get my masters degree in Speech Pathology or Occupational Therapy and be able to help children with special needs that much more. In the future I would love to open a day home program specifically designed for children with special needs whose parents want to work but cannot because they have to stay home with their child. My plan is to be able to give back to the community by giving the parents of children with special needs the option to go out and give back to the community themselves.

Although it has taken me a while to figure out what I want to do with my career path, I look forward to pursuing my dreams and working hard to inspire others. My goal is to be able to help children reach their fullest potential and push them to be the best that they can be.