In the summer of 2008 I had the opportunity to work with “at risk” children. It was the most rewarding job I ever had. It wasn’t until I lost my corporate America job that I realized job satisfaction and personal gratification was much more important than a pay check. Making the decision to change careers was a little scary at first but I am happy with the progress I have made thus far and I look forward to being in the classroom. I believe that teachers are essential to the cloth of our culture, society, and our world. In pursuit of becoming a teacher I have enrolled at Capella University, seeking a MS degree in K-12 Education. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Communications Management (minor in Marketing) from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2006. Through course work such as public speaking, numerous presentations, and participation in debates and orations I have developed excellent communication and interpersonal skills which I plan to convey to my students. I want a career that is personally rewarding and one that will impact the future. There is no better career to achieve those goals than teaching. I have years of experience substituting and I love the rush and thrill of teaching. I am eager to get in the classroom and use the experience I have and the training I have gained to impact my students in a powerful way. The preservation of our past, the progress of the present, and the advancements of our future are all dependent upon education and knowledge.