Gene Denton Essay 19

Growing up in an unstable home has shaped my dreams and goals for the future in many ways. While my circumstances were difficult, they have taught me to maintain resilience. I have grown a desire to create a better future for myself and others. My life has been challenging, but it has given me a clear understanding of the importance of education and the opportunities it can unlock. Education has always been my lifeline and my hope for a better life. To me, it represents the stability I didn’t have growing up, and it’s the doorway to the opportunities I’ve fought so hard for. I want to become a role model who can support myself and inspire the younger generation.  

There is a high need for mentors in our community. Students need positive influences they can look up to and receive advice from. Speaking from experience, every student has things going on outside the classroom. Every student needs a light and for lots of students, that light is a good teacher. This is why I’ve set my sights on pursuing higher education. Through college, I will gain the knowledge and skills I need to build a career that betters all students and our community as a whole. 

I am enrolled in the University of Missouri-Kansas City for Fall 2026. I will be pursuing a degree in Secondary Education English. I will be doing their 4+1 plan and graduating in 5 years with both a Bachelor’s in English with an Education Minor and a Masters in Teaching degree. After I graduate I plan to teach Career and Technical Education courses at an urban high school in the Kansas City area. I want to teach this subject in particular because high school is one of the most confusing years of a student’s life and they will always need extra help. Teaching in an underserved community is important to me because students from urban areas typically have less access to resources that will help them succeed. When I become a teacher, I want to be a positive influence for them while also being able to support them and help them grow. I will be an educator that goes above and beyond for my students. I want to show them they can do great things. 

Towards the end of high school I have had the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities one on one with students. Through these experiences I have seen how much of an impact I alone can have on a student. Building relationships, offering support, and creating a positive learning environment is exactly what I want to focus on as a teacher. I have realized how even small actions can have a meaningful impact on students’ growth in their academics. Working directly with students has shown me that education is not only about teaching academic studies, but also about mentoring students and inspiring them to be good people and make the world a better place. Being a teacher will allow me to be a positive influence and a major source of inspiration in students’ lives. I also plan to continue mentoring in the C You In the Major Leagues program and Learning Club KC. I will be mentoring high school and younger age students and help them navigate their post secondary education choices, this will help me reach more students in our community. I want to show them they have a choice, and they are capable of pursuing higher education no matter where they are from. 

Better teachers lead to better education, which leads to better students in our community. Ultimately, my goal in the education field is to be an amazing teacher by supporting students, helping them succeed, and being someone they can look up to.