Ever since I was a little girl I have wanted to be a teacher.  Actually when I was 6 years old I wanted to be a missionary to China, be an architect to design my own school in China, be a nurse to take care of their “boo boos” in the school, and be an elementary school teacher to teach inside the school I designed.  As you can see I had BIG aspirations.  As I went through school I met so many amazing teachers that made me love school and fostered my love for teaching.  One elementary teacher in particular really took the time to get to know me 1:1 and told me how important it was that in life I follow my heart and follow my dreams.  However, when it was time to make the decision about college I chose a path where I could come out of school and start making BIG bucks right away!  Well in my first year of college I ran into that particular elementary school teacher (after about 7 years of not seeing her) and she recognized me right away. After a warm hug she immediately asked what I was doing and if I was following my heart. Next came -silence-.  After that encounter and deep thought, I decided to listen to the advice of my elementary school teacher and to follow my heart and not the money.  As a teacher I get to do so much more than teaching; I take care of little boo boos, spread more love and hope into their lives, and I have an opportunity to help “build” a child.  Although I may not be in China working in a school I built, my childhood dreams have come true.