I have always dreamed about helping people who really need it. Although being an English teacher is new to me, it has been the most rewarding experience of my life. I go home each day knowing that I have made a difference in someone's life, which is really all I could ever hope for. I am the teacher here, but it is me who is learning the most. I have learned how one person can truly make an impact. It took a lot of courage to get me here, but I have never been more proud of an achievement. Independence is also a large part of who I am. I was only fourteen years old when I started my first job. At this young age, my parents had taught me the invaluable lesson that I would have to work for the things I want in life. The job was as a dishwasher. I knew right away that washing dishes was not my favorite pastime. However, I am extremely glad I never gave up on that job. At the age of twenty-four, I am still an employee at the same restaurant that hired me over 9 years ago. Putting in hard work over the years allowed me to move up to all other positions at this restaurant, which has allowed me to put myself through university with no assistance. Independence is something I learned early. When the race begins, mile 1, you look around and see no one but yourself and your independence. Around the 7-mile marker, I was completely exhausted. I have never considered myself to be an athlete. All of a sudden, the thoughts of insecurity came rushing in. What am I doing here?" "Why am I doing this?" "I can't do this!!" I would often find myself second-guessing every move. My first year of university was one of the hardest years of my life. Instead of attending the university where all of my classmates and friends were going, I chose something completely different. The school I chose wasn't even in the same country! Driving myself across the border to a brand new city, where I knew absolutely no one,