From the time I was an assistant day care provider, I have been drawn to working with children.  The sense of satisfaction I felt when parents revealed how their children raved about me was immense. Having been born in Harlem, and raised in the Bronx, a Woman of Color, I was sensitive to inner-city children’s problems: acculturation, poverty, childcare inadequacies, and racism. I have lived with and seen; I have come from the underserved; for this reason, I have empathy as well as compassion and will thus be able to excel at helping them.
Having my own children made a community center of our home for their friends. On any given day, there was pizza, popcorn and movies, hosting children of all ages. Frequently children sought me out for personal chats, discussing their experiences, challenges, or triumphs. My heart went out to them, and I counseled them to the best of my ability.Â
Additionally, I have volunteered at my children’s schools, from Pre-K to fifth grade. Now that my children are old enough, I can commit my time and energy to a graduate Guidance Counseling program, focusing on Early Childhood.
Post-graduation, I envision counseling children in public schools, ideally in socio-economically challenged areas, helping children reach their potential by building self-esteem and self-efficacy. Inner-city kids face great challenges and require empowerment, motivation, and inspiration. Combined with my own inner-city experiences, I have had the privilege of getting to know children in Jamaica, Antigua, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic who were also very much in need of guidance and direction; with the same principles of educational inclusion applying as well.
Combined with these relevant individual experiences, I bring with me to XXXX a solid academic foundation from my studies at the College of XXXX. XXXX is my sole choice for scholastic development and has impressed me with its cultural diversity, flexible curriculum, and friendly academic environment, one in which I can truly flourish. Thank you for your time and consideration.
MSED Master of Science Counselor Education Statement