Inspired

Inspiration leads to opportunity

Inspired

Rows of student-filled desks line a colorfully decorated room. The murmurs and giggles of children echo as a teacher scribbles notes on a blackboard. The smells of new books and markers fill the space as class begins.

This classroom is where you may find senior Emy Krysa in the near future, but no longer as a student.

Krysa’s brother, Zak, deals with executive function disorder; a learning disability that can affect a person’s ability to analyze, plan, organize, or complete other tasks.

“[The disorder] can affect different parts of the brain for each person, “ Krysa said. “The biggest way it affects my brother is reading. As a sophomore in high school, he can read on his own at a third grade reading level. But say someone or a computer reads to him – he comprehends well above his grade level.”

Because of her brother’s struggles, Krysa often sits down to help him with his homework or to comprehend certain topics better. This love of helping her brother led her to choose a profession that helps kids just like him. Krysa has decided to go into the field of special education or special education for deaf and hard of hearing students.

“I have always known that I wanted to be a teacher, but since helping Zak, I have realized I want to into special education to help kids like my brother,” Krysa said. ”I want to try to fix the struggles my brother went through and make my students better.”

Krysa’s decision stems from the inspiration and life lessons she learned from her brother.

“For someone that cannot read, and gets up every day and goes about his life like any other high school student, when all we do every day is read,” Krysa said.

“I say that that is courage and strength because many people could have quickly given up and not accept the challenge it is.”

Krysa has also learned from her brother that “nothing is handed to you. You have to work to get what you want and you have to work to be successful,” Krysa said.

Along with her brother, Krysa’s aunt has inspired her to choose this career path.

“My aunt inspires me because she is partially deaf, “Krysa said, “She uses a hearing aid so she is able to hear everyone.”

Krysa’s brother and family are excited to see her go into special education.

“My brother is happy that I am doing it because he knows what the struggles are and knows what it takes to overcome them,” Krysa said. “He thinks I’ll be perfect for it.”

Career counselor Nathan Bargar emphasizes on the importance of choosing a career path that is meaningful to them.

“You hear this, and it may be cliché, but it’s true,” Bargar said. “If you do something you’re passionate about you will never work a day in your life.”

He also spoke about the importance of thinking of how your career decisions may inspire others.

“It’s important not let people talk you out of your passion, people want to talk about the negatives first,” Bargar said.

“You have to remember the people who have had an impact on your life, and working to have an impact on someone else’s life. Whether you have a passion for that, it’s something to be passionate about. ”

In the future, Krysa hopes you can find her in the classroom.

“I want to be teaching kids and helping them overcome their struggles when it comes to learning,” Krysa said,“I hope my career will be something that I love and that it will result in a job I’m excited to go to every day.”