Last week, my mom told me that I inspire people to do great things. She told me about Alison, a volunteer at my horse riding stable, who wrote about me in her application to graduate school. I guess Alison wants to become a special education teacher partly because of me! I feel so lucky and grateful to have so many wonderful people in my life.
Here is Alison's application essay:
I wish that I could say that being a
teacher was something I aspired to be the moment my 1st grade teacher
prompted myself and classmates to share what we wanted to be “when we
grew up.” I stared at the 8 by 10 piece of a paper that consisted of
empty white space and four large lines in which I was to describe my
dream career. Though I had the highest of expectations of myself, never
did I believe that any of the four figures I drew; horseback rider,
teacher, artist, were not only something I could do all at once, but
something I would. The images certainly all fit together within the
constrained borders of crisp white paper, however I was never able to
see that they completed one picture…until now.
Unbenounced to me,
there is one attribute I have carried around since I was 6 years old,
though not realizing it would ultimately lead be down to the career path
I intend to seek out today. I have always been drawn to circumstances
in which I can provide someone with knowledge, strength, or even
compassion; specifically, an area in which I feel like I connect with
someone, similar to that role of a teacher and student. Though I wasn’t
sure of it when I entered college, I know it is something that continues
to drive me towards a career in special education now. However, I did
not come upon this sense of self until a certain series of events,
children, and horses came into my life.
It started before I even stepped foot into elementary school. From the moment I sat on that horse, I started learning. Like any properly trained equestrian, there were the basics that were fundamental to being a strong rider: sit up tall, be gentle on the reins, heels down; the textbook instructions that would turn any young rider into the next blue ribbon champion. Yet, there were those necessary attributes that you weren't going to find perusing the index or religiously reading page to page. The kind you had to learn on your own with each new reluctant horse, every terrible thrill and spill, and each unwanted barn chore. They were simple once you unveiled them: to be brave, to get back up, to forgive, to love and to connect with something greater than yourself. These unspoken core values that determine whether or not you have the ability to choose a passion that will challenge you immensely both physically and mentally, but reward you with happiness and fulfillment. My training as a young equestrian prepared me to make one of the biggest decisions of my life.
We all have that moment of impact; the realization of something great, a moment that could change everything. Now I sit on that horse 18 years later with someone cradled between my hands and my heart. In fact, a very special someone. Every Sunday, come rain or shine, I am greeted by a crooked tooth grin and delicate boy in a heavy electric wheel chair. He is 6 years old and has been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Little Kai has a smile bigger than himself entirely. Yet, Kai's disease never seems to inhibit him from feeling pure joy, proof that positivity and a loyal horse can prevail over weak bones and limbs. To Kai, this is simply another day for him. From the minute he gets on our big, beautiful Paint horse and back down into his metal throne, his good spirits are radiating. Always seemingly at peace, often I feel that Kai has provided me with a greater sense of calm and self reflection than I do upon him. You see, Kai possesses a quality that directly contradicts the very essence of his disease. CP is a motor condition that causes physical disability in human development, most often in human motor skills. Yet, Kai is stronger than anyone I know, all 50lbs. of him.
Just as Kai may not be able to verbalize how he feels or what he wants to do, he can however, physically feel the safety net I provide wrapped around him. In these moments that he musters up strength to sit up even the slightest bit or tilt is head centered, something that takes incredible strength and concentration for him, he is aware that he is not alone or not protected. Kai's exhaustion isn't discarded because he feels vulnerable or uncertain, if anything it's because he had pushed himself harder. Not every day comes easy or without obstacles to withstand, but I learned at early age how to persevere and overcome them, a trait I hope to emulate to my students.
My passion for riding had always far exceeded the value of ribbons and trophies. I never quite found comfort in them. It wasn't until working with Kai and the other disabled students that my talent actually made sense to me. I had a purpose. My ultimate dream is to have a passion that can provide strength and inspiration to others. I know that my work with horses could resonate with my students and compel them to fulfill whatever dreams they have for themselves as well. Passion has become the premise of how I teach. My philosophy on teaching is the same way I was taught 15 years ago, the same way I practice today, and the same I'll use in the future. Through discovery, experimentation, creativity and ingenuity, supported with a guiding teacher that is passionate about learning along side with the student. I strongly believe that children should have the ability to learn through many different types of forums and be able to be creatively expressive and challenged.
Any great teacher needs to learn the basics through text books and classroom experience, however, just like when I was six years old and learning how to ride, my success in the field was completely determined by my willingness and ability to connect with my horse and challenge myself thus, leading me into the field of special education. My work with Kai finally brought that completed picture from elementary school to surface. For the first time in my life, I feel a sense of purpose. Each day surrounded by my students I consider a blessing. Their sense of wonder, ingenuity, higher level of sensitivity, and ability to connect with animals and others, helped me realize I wanted to make this my career and my life. Where I was and where I am, is right.
Of course, Alison was accepted and will be starting at Simmons College in the fall!
 |
| Alison, Peter and me at the farm! |
It started before I even stepped foot into elementary school. From the moment I sat on that horse, I started learning. Like any properly trained equestrian, there were the basics that were fundamental to being a strong rider: sit up tall, be gentle on the reins, heels down; the textbook instructions that would turn any young rider into the next blue ribbon champion. Yet, there were those necessary attributes that you weren't going to find perusing the index or religiously reading page to page. The kind you had to learn on your own with each new reluctant horse, every terrible thrill and spill, and each unwanted barn chore. They were simple once you unveiled them: to be brave, to get back up, to forgive, to love and to connect with something greater than yourself. These unspoken core values that determine whether or not you have the ability to choose a passion that will challenge you immensely both physically and mentally, but reward you with happiness and fulfillment. My training as a young equestrian prepared me to make one of the biggest decisions of my life.
We all have that moment of impact; the realization of something great, a moment that could change everything. Now I sit on that horse 18 years later with someone cradled between my hands and my heart. In fact, a very special someone. Every Sunday, come rain or shine, I am greeted by a crooked tooth grin and delicate boy in a heavy electric wheel chair. He is 6 years old and has been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Little Kai has a smile bigger than himself entirely. Yet, Kai's disease never seems to inhibit him from feeling pure joy, proof that positivity and a loyal horse can prevail over weak bones and limbs. To Kai, this is simply another day for him. From the minute he gets on our big, beautiful Paint horse and back down into his metal throne, his good spirits are radiating. Always seemingly at peace, often I feel that Kai has provided me with a greater sense of calm and self reflection than I do upon him. You see, Kai possesses a quality that directly contradicts the very essence of his disease. CP is a motor condition that causes physical disability in human development, most often in human motor skills. Yet, Kai is stronger than anyone I know, all 50lbs. of him.
Just as Kai may not be able to verbalize how he feels or what he wants to do, he can however, physically feel the safety net I provide wrapped around him. In these moments that he musters up strength to sit up even the slightest bit or tilt is head centered, something that takes incredible strength and concentration for him, he is aware that he is not alone or not protected. Kai's exhaustion isn't discarded because he feels vulnerable or uncertain, if anything it's because he had pushed himself harder. Not every day comes easy or without obstacles to withstand, but I learned at early age how to persevere and overcome them, a trait I hope to emulate to my students.
My passion for riding had always far exceeded the value of ribbons and trophies. I never quite found comfort in them. It wasn't until working with Kai and the other disabled students that my talent actually made sense to me. I had a purpose. My ultimate dream is to have a passion that can provide strength and inspiration to others. I know that my work with horses could resonate with my students and compel them to fulfill whatever dreams they have for themselves as well. Passion has become the premise of how I teach. My philosophy on teaching is the same way I was taught 15 years ago, the same way I practice today, and the same I'll use in the future. Through discovery, experimentation, creativity and ingenuity, supported with a guiding teacher that is passionate about learning along side with the student. I strongly believe that children should have the ability to learn through many different types of forums and be able to be creatively expressive and challenged.
Any great teacher needs to learn the basics through text books and classroom experience, however, just like when I was six years old and learning how to ride, my success in the field was completely determined by my willingness and ability to connect with my horse and challenge myself thus, leading me into the field of special education. My work with Kai finally brought that completed picture from elementary school to surface. For the first time in my life, I feel a sense of purpose. Each day surrounded by my students I consider a blessing. Their sense of wonder, ingenuity, higher level of sensitivity, and ability to connect with animals and others, helped me realize I wanted to make this my career and my life. Where I was and where I am, is right.
Of course, Alison was accepted and will be starting at Simmons College in the fall!
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