As a kid, a question that often comes up is, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” Children tend to dream big; their goals are to become a rockstar or a queen. For years, that has been an obvious question to answer, but in the last four years, that question has become increasingly more difficult.

Going into high school, I had a definite plan. I was going to become a chef; I loved being artistic and creating something people would quite clearly enjoy. Owning my own bakery was a big dream of mine. When customers would walk in, they would get a whiff of freshly baked muffins and see the shiny display holding the brightly frosted cupcakes.

I would go to the Culinary Institute of America. I would become the person I always wanted to be: confident, constantly distracted, and personable. Being a chef, I would come out of my shell and regain every ounce of confidence I thought I lost.

Entering my junior year, my plans remained the same as they had been since they were ten. Go to Culinary Institute of America. Cook. Create. I finally got the opportunity of a lifetime when I was accepted into Kent Career/Technical Center’s culinary program at the Downtown Market.

For the remainder of my first semester of junior year, my plans remained the same. Successful chef. Successful life. When second semester came though, that was when I started to panic.

Like a slinky, my brain went into a coil. I hated being in the kitchen constantly. The adrenaline did not feel the same. I felt cramped, uncomfortable, and out of place.

I panicked. What was I supposed to do now that I didn’t have a plan? Junior year was coming to a close, and senior year was about to begin. I felt as if I had just ruined my future with one simple choice.

I had to leave KCTC for senior year. There was no way that I could continue to be in an environment with such wound up people. I decided to step back and take classes that were offered at FHC.

The name of the class that caught my eye? Teacher Cadet. A class that I was always somewhat interested in, but skeptical to take. Taking it now, I have learned my true passion for helping others in a positive way.

Walking into Mrs. Schanski’s first grade classroom on Sept 12 was a moment that I will always cherish. Immediately, I was greeted by smiles and the soft and kind words of Mrs. Schanski: “she is your teacher now too.”

I was thrown right into the life of teaching. Frantic and panicked, I did the best that I could to make sure I was personable.

Comfort. A room as cozy and bright as the Schanski Superstars’ room, it is quite hard not to be comfortable. A room that is filled with nothing but energy, love, and smiles, it is hard not to take on a leadership role for the first graders.

Confident. I am confident now. I can speak my words calmly, with kindness- or sternly- but in a positive manner. I can make a difference.

Gaining confidence in the Superstar’s room is nothing new, but being confident in my career path is.

I am not going to panic, but rather look forward to my future as I major in Elementary Education and minor in Psychology.

Panicking is now a distant memory.

“What do you want to be when you grow up?”

I want to be a teacher.