Personal Narrative

In the early years of my college education, I was unsure of exactly what my focus of study would be. During that time, I began my career as a paraprofessional aide in a kindergarten, first, and second grade special needs classroom at an elementary school in Sarasota, Florida. After four years in this position, I felt it was time to branch out and explore other avenues of work. Ideally, however, I did want to remain at the

same elementary school that I had grown so fond of.

So, when the school's position of 'media aide' became available, I

decided to apply for the job. I am always hopeful that my love of literature shines through for my students,

and that they will in turn develop a love of reading too.

I was offered the job and became the school's new media aide in the Fall of 2017.

 

In this new role overseeing the school's library, I also pursued my bachelor's degree in English Literature at the University of South Florida. While the scenario of juggling a full-time job and seeking a college degree certainly proved demanding, plenty of other hurdles made themselves known, such as book challenges, teacher shortages, and, of course, the Covid-19 pandemic. These hurdles only inspired me and pushed me to do what I felt was my next step.

In the Spring of 2021, I applied for graduate school at the University of South Florida's School of Information and was accepted. In the Fall of 2021, the next leg of my academic journey began as I worked to achieve my master's degree in Library and Information Science. No hurdle was too great, and not a single moment in my library was unimportant.

From the reading of stories to classes of kids, to seeing the smiles on students' faces when they successfully read a phrase for the first time or discovered a new series they just couldn't put down.

I knew that because of these and a multitude of additional experiences, I found what I was destined to do.

Both my education and my work has allowed me to see that the possibilities are truly endless.

I look forward to further dedicating my career to the field of librarianship, and I can't wait to see what the

future has in store for me.