My name is Rachel Boyd and I am a student at UTC. I am getting a dual major in early childhood and special education. I have been interested in early childhood education since I was a little girl. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher when I got older, even though at the time, it wasn’t the “cool” thing to do. I always had a desire and want to teach young children. I was very privileged as a child to receive a wonderful education from kindergarten until now. I had teachers who inspired and pushed me to do my best. I also had parents that were always there for me, supporting me whenever possible. I hope to have the same influence on my students, as my teachers did on me.
I wanted to help young children learn ever since I could remember. I feel like the younger years are some of the most important years of development and growth. I also feel that I had such an amazing elementary career, and I have always wanted to bring the same joy to millions of elementary students. Early years of learning are wonderful because the kids are so excited to learn and experience new things everyday.
I had never thought about special education and that aspect of the teaching circle until my senior year of high school. I participated in a program called Senior Service. Each student is placed at a different school to observe, help, and learn about that particular placement. I was placed at a school called Harris-Hillman Special Education School. This school is for children with three or more severe handicaps. It was the most eye-opening, rewarding experience I have ever had. The children in my class were all in wheelchairs and could not eat by themselves or even talk in order to ask for something. The teacher and I would help them with their fine and gross motor skills. These children were great and they laughed all the time, always bringing a smile to my face. After this experience, I started thinking about special education more and more. These children want the same experience from school that any other child wants and they also deserve the same experience. I wish that everyone could see this.
I am now involved in the PDS I program through UTC. I am in a 4th grade class at Normal Park Museum Magnet, where there are a handful of children with different disabilities. Some of them have ADD, ADHD, Autism, and emotional disturbances. Thus far, it has been a great experience and it helps me to realize that this is what I really want to do. Since having these two great experiences, it has really influenced me in my decisions for a career later in my life. I would really love to help children in the special education department. I want them to be able to have the same experience in and out of school as any other student.
The more classes I take through UTC and the more I learn about special education, the more I am inspired to help these young children. I have already had a great experience teaching these young children with everything that I have been involved in and the experience has just started. It is an exciting career aspiration. I still have a great deal to learn about this area of teaching, but I am excited and motivated to do so because of the children. I would like to continue on the path I am taking by helping these young children succeed in life. As the years go on, I hope to change the lives of many children and to inspire and motivate them to be great, to love themselves, school, and everything around them. I hope to be a great teacher to these children one day and to be able to make a difference in their lives.