Personal Statement My Name is Nakita Shawanda Ceacal-Manigault.

I was born in Harlem, New York, and later moved to Mcclellanville, South Carolina (small town on the outskirts of Charleston, SC). From a very young age, I always loved learning. From as early as I can remember, I always said I wanted to go to college to become a teacher. When it was time for me to transition to High School, rather than going to the community High School, I made the decision to apply to Garrett Academy of Technology, a school located in the city of Charleston. At the time making this decision didn't seem like a big deal, but as I reflect, it was. Going to a school very far from my home was my own decision to ensure I received quality education. Growing up, some things that were taught to me, weren't grasped with ease. Though I had difficulties, I never gave up! Rather, I used them as stepping stones to take me higher along the ladder of becoming the teacher I've dreamed of being for so long. A teacher that makes learning content fun, interesting and exciting. I started my matriculation as a pre-service teacher at Claflin University located in Orangeburg, South Carolina. While attending Claflin I learned many things about myself as a person and as an Educator. I have done observations at many elementary schools, as well as working during my free time at child care facilities, in an effort to apply what I have learned in my classes. I have also worked with the National Professional Development (NPD) Program, which assists English for Speakers of Other Languages or ESOL students, in an effort to better prepare myself for the future population shift. Additionally, I was a member of AmeriCorps from 2008-2011. At Claflin, a program named Saturday Academy was initiated under the AmeriCorps program. Saturday Academy strives to teach local Middle School students proper techniques to improve their Reading and Writing skills. Being a dedicated member of this program has enabled me to help students, as well as better my own knowledge of English content and skills. Once I have completed my studies at Claflin, I plan to begin my journey of teaching as well as venture on to Graduate School where I will major in either Special Education focusing on speech impairments or Speech Pathology. I am very excited about where I am headed as an Educator. I look forward to seeing my future students' smiling faces and helping them to become the best they can be.