“What do you want to be when you grow up?” It’s a question I’ve been asked for as long as I can remember. What does that even mean? When does one officially “grow up?” I don’t know the answer to that last question, but I know it’s about time for me to put on my big girl pants and figure out what the heck I want to do with my life.

When I went to the store with my mom as a 5-year-old and saw the cashier scan our items with her “laser gun”, I wanted to be a professional cashier. When I went through first-aid training as an eight-year-old girl scout, the answer was a doctor. When I started watching America’s Next Top Model as a ten-year-old, the answer was a fashion designer. It wasn’t until I blossomed into a 17-year-old senior in high school with the world in the palm of my hand, that I could honestly answer the question without an ounce of doubt in the back of my mind.

My final year in high school has already offered me many blessings. I was named Editor In Chief of the newspaper you are currently reading, and I have been given the opportunity to be a part of the Educational Internship Program here at LHS. During 6^th and 7^th hour, I travel to Shoal Creek Elementary and co-teach a fifth grade class. Both of these amazing opportunities made me realize my answer to that ever so broad question: a teacher.

After this profound discovery of my future career path entered my brain, I ran into a snag. What age group would I teach? On a mission to answer this new question, I stormed about asking all of the teachers I could what they would recommend.

You all, my fellow classmates might be surprised to hear that many teachers find us high schoolers bratty and disrespectful. But let’s be honest, you’re not all too shocked about that little jab are you?

After this tiring day of interviewing my high school teachers about their age preferences, I drove over to Shoal Creek. As soon as I walked into the classroom, all of the 5^th graders jumped out of their seats with the excitement of little puppies and screamed “Hi Miss. Aly!” The enthusiasm and innocence of these young children is something that is impossible to put into words. All I can say is that it is very refreshing to see these young minds at work after a day in the high school.

After that day, I faced my little dilemma head on. What age group should I teach? The answer to my question is one that is put best by the famous Sherlock Holmes.

“Elementary, my dear Watson.”