Gene Denton Essay 44

I’ve been in classrooms all my life. Since I was four years old, I’ve attended school, but this past summer completely flipped my perspective. I experienced school from a teacher’s point of view. I worked at Guadalupe Center Elementary School, located in a low income, high need community. Many of my students were still learning to understand and speak English, which made learning even more challenging. I also learned that some of them came from unstable home lives, which impacted not only their academics but their behavior. Many of them lacked structure and discipline, so when I corrected them or gave instructions, it felt like they weren’t listening at all. Over time, I realized they aren’t “bad” kids but are rather misunderstood and lacking care in certain areas.

Working with these students made me recognize a deeper need within my community. Many children, especially in low income areas, lack consistent physical and emotional care. This includes access to stable healthcare and preventative services. When children grow up without proper support systems, it affects their confidence, their behavior, and even their ability to succeed in school. What I was seeing wasn’t just about classroom behavior, it was about things going on outside of school.

After high school, I plan to study dental hygiene. When people think about caring for children, dental hygiene may not be the first career that comes to mind. I have always had a heart for working with kids, but I was never completely sure what that would look like for me. I considered nursing, teaching, and even therapy, but dental hygiene is the path that has stayed with me. I realized that oral health is often overlooked, especially in underserved communities, even though it plays a major role in overall health and confidence. Every person has a different smile, a different story, and different experiences. I want to be a part of helping people feel confident in their smiles. I have also noticed the fear and dread many people feel about going to the dentist. Even I don’t always love going to my own appointments. Dental visits can feel intimidating, especially for children. However, having a kind and patient hygienist can completely change that experience. I hope to be someone who makes dental offices feel safe rather than frightening.

One day, I hope to work in a pediatric dental office and/or even partner with low income schools to provide preventative care and oral health education. Many children in underserved communities may not have regular access to dental care. With proper education and early intervention, small issues can be prevented from becoming lifelong problems. I do not expect to solve every challenge a child faces, but I hope to use my education and skills to fit at least one gap in care. By combining compassion with knowledge, I want to serve children who may go without consistent help and support. This summer taught me that leadership is not just about authority, but about understanding people and meeting them where they are. My future education in dental hygiene will allow me to continue doing exactly that, serving children in my community with both skill and heart.