Giving Thanks

Dear Mrs. Babin,

How have you been? How's your family? It's been almost six years since we've last spoken. I'm sure life has changed a considerable amount since then, I know it has for me. I'm writing to thank you for always being there for me and for helping me get through that especially rough time in my life.

I can remember walking into your classroom freshmen year. You seemed like a very soft spoken woman. As I got to know you, I realized you were extremely kind and compassionate towards others. You had a great sense of empathy. Every semester, I would make sure to pick a class taught by you.

We spent my four years of high school growing a special bond. When it was time to graduate and say good bye it was bitter sweet. We were both moving on to the next chapter in our lives. I was moving away to college and you were retiring from teaching. We haven't spoken since the day you hugged me and handed me my diploma. I never got the chance to express my gratitude and thank you.

In the past, there was a lot of issues I was dealing with. During that time, I had received difficult news that was devastating and heartbreaking. I felt betrayed by the ones closest to me. I was a mess and going down the wrong path in life. You were the only one I could talk to. You pulled me out of my darkness and gave me insight. You guided me in the right direction and reminded me I was strong enough to overcome anything.

I have taken this insight you gave me and still carry it with me today. Each day, I remember I’m strong and not to let the past ever have a hold over me. Now, I am on the correct path to a successful life all because of you. Mrs. Babin, I want to thank you for helping me overcome this obstacle, showing me forgiveness, reminding me I'm strong, and teaching me to focus on the future. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Sincerely,
Emily

An Ode To My Favorite Teacher

An enthusiastic and compassionate teacher

Always making her students dig deeper

Only focusing on the bright and hopeful future

Your empathy was clear to me

You saw what others couldn't see

You told me, I could be whoever I wanted to be

I've transformed myself, you'll see

Now, I'm stronger than can be

Thank you, for always being there for me

Powerful Aspirations

Currently, I’m employed at a Preschool after school program. I’ve been with this program for a total of seven years. I spent four years at the elementary level and three years at the preschool level. During the preschool program, I've had the opportunity to work alongside paraprofessionals and lead teachers from the regular school day. Many of these co-workers have expressed, I have a natural talent towards teaching. By receiving these compliments from various people and hearing them frequently, it has provided me with a powerful drive. Now, I have my mind set on becoming a preschool teacher and nothing will stop me from achieving this goal.

While growing up, I always had my mind set on becoming a teacher. Maybe, my decision was influenced by family because most of them are in the teaching profession. My mother is a behavioral specialist at an elementary school, my aunt is a second grade teacher, and my other aunt is a fifth grade science teacher. At one point, a certain circumstance had me rethinking my dream of becoming a teacher. While working at the elementary school program, I was in charge of the fourth and fifth graders. The majority of the group consisted of disrespectful boys. They didn’t take me seriously and never wanted to listen. This made me feel frustrated, stressed out, and miserable. Every night, I would go home feeling at a loss of power and control in life. I even considered ending my dream of becoming a teacher. Quitting the job was not an option, so I stuck it out for the remainder of the school year. I'm thankful I didn't succumb to all of the negative feelings surrounding me. I kept going and eventually found my way. At the end of the year, I received a new position at the preschool level.  

In order to strengthen my powerful drive for teaching and achieve my goal of becoming a teacher, there are certain things I can persistently implement. In order to gain real life experience and increase my powerful drive, I will carry on working for the preschool after school program. To gain additional experience and knowledge, I can observe the teachers and paraprofessionals I currently work amongst. I can view their teaching practices in order to help strengthen my own. I will continue taking early childhood education classes at Bunker Hill. I can graduate from Bunker Hill and attend a four year institution to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Most importantly, I can remember all of the compliments I received from co-workers about my natural talent towards teaching. I can use those compliments as ammunition to carry forward with my powerful drive of reaching my goal of becoming a teacher.

When I was a limitless child...

When I was a limitless child

Dreams and aspirations ran wild

I would spend my days

Underneath the suns rays

In the backyard exploring

Life was never boring

When I was a limitless child

I was full of happiness and always smiled

I wish I could go back to my childhood ways

Having no responsible days

Imagination soaring

Looking back and adoring

When I was a limitless child

Getting To Know Emily

My name is Emily and I’m 22 years old. I spent the majority of my early childhood in Maynard Massachusetts. Most people have never heard of this quiet, small, country town. It’s located about 45 minutes West of Boston near Concord Massachusetts. As I think back, I’m able to visualize every detail about the quiet white house as if I was standing right in front of it. My favorite part of that childhood home was the acre of land surrounding it. The enormous yard possessed an abundant amount of fascinating aspects. Two of my favorite parts of the spacious yard were the stream and the oak tree.

Me as a Young Child

Lining the far perimeter of the land was the murky stream. As a kid, I can remember jumping into the mucky cold water to catch slimy frogs and salamanders. Now, I wouldn’t even dream of going anywhere near a frog or salamander. In the center of the yard was a gigantic oak tree I could barely fight my arms around. Hanging from the massive tree was a tire swing. I can remember spending hours spinning, swinging and gazing up at the enormous tree. The summer of entering the 5^th grade was when I moved to the Boston area. Now, I reside in a small city 15 minutes north of Boston called Melrose. I definitely enjoy recalling the favorable memories I experienced while living in that childhood home.

Zakim Bridge

I have recently discovered a newly found interest that I have acquired quite the obsession for. This new hobby of mine is called stand-up paddle boarding. For those of you who aren’t familiar with paddle boarding, it consists of standing or kneeling on a surf board and slowly paddling with a long oar through a body of water. The first time I experienced paddle boarding was on a family vacation to the Island of Captiva, Florida. For the entire week, my aunt and I rented paddle boards from YOLO Water Sports. That was the week I discovered my passion for paddle boarding. Gliding on top of the water can be absolutely calming and peaceful. It’s also an enjoyable and invigorating way stay active. I’ve experienced paddle boarding several times on our family vacations to Florida and more recently in the Bahamas. I’ve also been paddle boarding around the Boston area, but no location can compare to the Bahamas. The Caribbean Ocean was a tranquil turquoise paradise. 

Me And My Aunt In The Bahamas

The people closest to me would describe my personality as laid back and easy going. I prefer to go with the flow and take life as it comes. I can also be described as an honest person. I am not afraid to speak the truth or what's on my mind. When giving advice, I often tell it like it is. I can also be characterized as a generous person. I am not selfish and I always put others before myself. In addition, I am also a loving and caring person. I would do anything for the ones closest to me. I am a positive person, who constantly views the bright side of each situation.

Beautiful Sunset in the Bahamas

Affirmation #97

The Past Has No Hold Over Me Any More

There are moments in life that may be

Harrowing

Experiences among this nature mold and shape every

Person for who they are today

Acknowledging, accepting, and moving forward will create a 

Stronger person  

The past is in the past and that's where is belongs

Holding on will only create a life at 

A cemented standstill 

Sever ties with the past and 

Never look back 

Only open your eyes to the bright and 

Hopeful future 

Open your heart to new beginnings and               

Learn to live in the moment 

Don't be afraid to move

On, let go, and take the next 

Voyage life brings 

Embrace this journey with positivity and

Remain optimistic about

Moving forward

Exciting chapters and new

Adventures await

Nothing ever gets easier, you just get stronger 

Your past was never a 

Mistake if you learned from it

Overcome and grow from these obstacles and 

Remember you are strong 

Enjoy and experience your life to the fullest