- My Mom
My mother is a Teacher Assistant who works primarily with children with disabilities. She is a determined, outspoken, hard working woman who is not afraid to express her feelings. Although my mom worked full time, she was always very involved and attentive from the time I was born, and throughout my school years. She always had high expectations for me, and let me know that she believed I could reach those expectations. Although she was very loving, she was definitely the disciplinarian of the family and many times let her temper and impulsivity get the best of her. My sister and I’s schedule was very full with dance lessons, girl scouts, and sports. Yet my mom always made sure to support us and be there for performances, games, recitals, competitions, etc. She was involved in my education and extra-curricular activities as a Girl Scout troop leader, and an active member of my school’s PTA.
I feel that my mother has vastly influenced and impacted my life. After high school, I had very little direction in life. It was her that suggested I begin working with as a behavioral therapist of children with Autism. At the time, I was unsure of what this entailed, but as soon as I began, I found the entire field fascinating! I am often told that I am like my mom in many ways. I am outspoken (sometimes more than I should be), and my impulsive behavior sometimes gets me in trouble. However I am also a very determined and hard working. As a family, we are still close. She has instilled in us the importance of family and togetherness. I am very thankful that I was raised in a family of love, with parents who have worked to maintain their marriage regardless of struggles or pitfalls they may have faced along the way.
- My Dad
My father spent his career as a high school math teacher. He was also a coach of water polo, boys and girls swimming, and ran an extremely successful swim lesson program throughout the summer. He’s a very laid back and easy going person, but also a hard worker and passionate about what he does. Although my dad was usually late to come home in the evenings due to work obligations, he was very nurturing, and there for me when I needed him. I have explained him in the past as being like a big teddy bear, always ready to provide a hug or encouraging words. His patience is something that I deeply admire. Although my mother did most of the disciplining, it was when my dad would step in or lost his temper that I really knew I had done something wrong!
My father continues to influence my life. Like him, I am very laid back and easy going. However it seems that the older I get, the harder that is to maintain. I feel that I get my passion from my dad. I, like him, believe deeply in what I do. And if I do not believe deeply in something that I am required to complete or accomplish, it is hard to motivate myself to do it. He has truly shown me the type of person I would like to become.
- My Sister, Andi
My sister is about a year and a half older than me. She is also a teacher, working currently as a middle school math teacher. My sister is one of the hardest working people I know, and always has been. As children, we were constantly competing, fighting, and jealous of each other. My mom explained us time and time again as disagreeing on everything. Andi has told me that she was always jealous of the fact that things seemed to come easily for me. In turn, I have shared with her that I was envious of her drive and determination to do her best at everything she does, and the attention that she got because of it. Andi is a ‘go-getter,’ and is very hard on herself when she does not accomplish her goals to her satisfaction. She cares very deeply about others, yet is extremely impulsive, which has sometimes made relationships difficult for her.
Although we fought as children, I have always looked up to my sister, and still do (however I never would have admitted it then!) I now realize that as a child, I did not value sisterhood as I do now. It seems that each day we become closer, and have found that we are alike in many ways. She is always there for me to help in whatever way possible. Even though the ages of the children we teach differs greatly, as does our teaching styles and some beliefs, it is comforting to know that there is someone that I can turn to when things in my career or life becomes difficult, or when I want and need someone to celebrate with.
- My Best Friend Jackie
I was very lucky to have met my best friend on my first day of kindergarten. I think that we were originally drawn to each other because we were the same size, and had the same color hair. However as we got to know each other better, we found that we had a great time together and a lot more in common than just our looks. It was also lucky that Jackie lived one street down from me. We would routinely meet in ‘our spot’ to ride bikes, play games, or go to the park. We became instant friends, yet got into a lot of trouble together. We were only in kindergarten when both our parents and teacher’s decided that it would be in our best interest (educationally) for us NOT to be in the same class throughout the rest of elementary school. Thankfully, this did not keep us from remaining friends! Jackie and I participated in several of the same activities and sports throughout school such as dance and soccer. Her mother became the co-troop leader of our Girl Scout troop, and soon began babysitting my sister and me in the mornings since my parents had to be at work before our busses came.
Although Jackie and I definitely had our some tough times in our relationship (we barely spoke in middle school), we somehow always reconnected and were able to rely on each other. We are still great friends, and although we are not as similar as we once were, we have a tremendous amount of fun together, and seem to know and understand each other in ways that could never be duplicated or replaced! She is truly a sister to me, and will always be a major part of my life.
