Growing up, I learned to find contentment in the chaos. Coming from a house of five siblings, there was never a moment of silence. Whether eating at the table together or playing on the trampoline, we were never quiet. My family has always been a part of the person I am today, helping me learn to read and, in turn, I helped my younger siblings with multiplication at the kitchen table. 

Wanting to be an elementary school teacher isn’t a random decision for me, it’s who I have naturally become. As the kids have gotten older, the house has gotten quieter, and being in the classroom is where I am reminded of that comfort that I found in earlier years. It started in my home and now continues in a home I hope to make for others. 

Growing up has also taught me patience in many ways. When you are surrounded by so many personalities, you quickly learn that not everything goes your way. Someone is always louder, someone is always upset, and someone always needs help. In my own home is where I first learned how to listen, not just hear. Whether it was calming a sibling or trying to explain an equation in a way that made sense, those small moments created something bigger inside me. 

It also taught me how important it is to be seen. In a busy household, it is easy to get lost in the noise, but the moments that mattered most were the ones where I was slowed down enough to be noticed. That is something I still carry with me now. I want every kid who walks into my classroom to feel the same way that I have. To feel seen, and understood even on the loud days. 

Looking back at my childhood, I don’t just see chaos. I see laughter, late night drives, beach volleyball, shared tears, family meetings, and constant growth. I see a place that shaped me into someone who finds joy in helping others and enjoys seeing the comfort connection creates. Growing up with my family didn’t just prepare me for life, it gave me a purpose.