Personal Statement

Marcy, a sixth grader with large brown eyes, blonde hair, and severe behavioral problems, stared up at me as her fingers fondled the puzzle pieces. The intensity of her gaze took me aback; I imagined what brimmed inside her little brain. I had worked as a special education instructional assistant for several months before I started working with Marcy. My supervisor spent a full hour explaining Marcy's background to me along with her special needs. The girl had been a victim of physical and sexual abuse and was recently placed in a foster home. Since she was five she had acted destructively toward others and toward herself: she set fires, stole things, hit other children, and threw frequent tantrums. When I peered into her eyes, anger obscured any other thought or emotion. I wanted to badly to break through that barrier between Marcy and me so I could...
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