I have a solid academic track record thus far, and have every expectation of improving upon my past performance now that I have found my niche and am ready to dedicate my full attention to becoming the most well prepared school counselor I can be. I received my Bachelor's degree in Education and Human Sciences from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2012. I know that I have chosen a field that can be emotionally difficult as well as physically draining, but after experiencing several difficult situations, amongst my job and personal experiences, I know that I have the strength and compassion to stand up to the challenges that a school counselor will face. After I earn the credentials and training to go along with my compassionate nature, I will be able to make a lasting and positive impact on several youth's lives, and the lives of those around them. This fills me with a true sense of purpose and intense eagerness to begin on the long path of learning that lies before me.
"The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future in life" (Plato). Plato's assessment was accurate, because the importance of learning enables individuals to put their potentials to optimal use. From my experience working directly with foster youth, the foster care system can handicap the educational achievement of children. This handicap can follow those children beyond the scholastic world and into the professional world. .
Based on a study administered by Skyles, Smithgall, and Howard (2007) found that many youth currently in foster care view education attainment (high school, GED and/or college) as their life goal. Yet for several reasons, by the time these youth exit foster care, they have not and will not attain this goal. In the Midwest Study sample, Skyles et al. (2007) found that over one-third of the youth had experienced five or more school changes. On average these youth read at a seventh-grade level.