Personal Goal Statement

Goal Statement

Personal, Academic, and Professional Goals/Personal Qualities I have decided to pursue a Masters of Science degree in addiction counseling with a specialization in trauma and crisis counseling because, after 14 years in the classroom, I feel that there is a need to have teachers who are trained in this field to support students and school communities. I have taught varies levels of Special education, from life skills to Learning support. While education is an ever-evolving field, I feel that I am at a point in my life, professionally and personally, where I am able to explore new paths to working with children. By way of introduction, I am a first generation college educated student. I grew up in an old steel-mill town,

I chose the specialization of crisis and trauma counseling because I believe, today, children are exposed to more adult situation and, with the adolescent developing brains, they are not equip to handles the issues. With proper intervention, early, I believe children and adolescence can deal this these situations and not halt their emotional and psychological development. The stated goal of this program is help families and children deal this the effects of trauma. As a teacher, I feel this program will help me effective work with students/families and create groups in the school setting to help students deal with crisis

As a child, I knew violence. I grew up in a high poverty area. I heard my first murder when I was 8, as a neighbor fled a domestic violence situation and was caught by her abuser at the bottom of the steps I walked down everyday. She banged on our apartment while fleeing but my mother was to scared, scared for her children and self, to let her in. No one came in to talk to the children who witness that night. Took me a long time to trust men’s interest in relationships. I grew up and lived through all the trauma and crises that assault today’s children. The difference was I had limited support. I don’t want another child to live the anxiety, mistrust and fear, I knew. It took me a long time to understand my experiences and to know that I could be an overcomer, but not everyone I know was so lucky. I was lucky to find educators that could deal with children and trauma or even recognized the trauma. I suppose in a way, I need to pay it forward. I have spent my career making sure that children and families found an advocate that would help and believe in them. This degree will help me understand more paves to that