Gavin High

• I started working for the school district of Lancaster In October of 2021. I started my career working in an autistic support kindergarten classroom alongside a phenomenal team. I was challenged everyday to help acclimate and accommodate a class of students with very individualistic needs. After the 2022-2023 school year, the directer of special education for the school district of Lancaster asked if I would work at an alternative school called DASH. The school accommodates students from the ages of 9 to 19. The majority of the students demonstrated violent and erratic behavior. I was successful with my goal of forming positive relationships with the majority of the students. responding to fights and distressed students became a part of my everyday life at work. I learned the importance of forming meaningful relationships and how to provide support to children and young adults in times of crisis. I am currently working in a general eduction elementary school as a 1:1. I also provide additional support to a number of our students struggling with behavioral and emotional hardships. It is my goal to make students feel appreciated and supported. If I can make a kid smile... that is the most rewarding feeling in the world.

I worked at Conestoga Valley Middle School In a behavioral support classroom. This job was particularly challenging due to the students unique circumstances. I was responsible for the individual well being of the children; as well as creating a healthy dynamic in the classroom. Alongside supporting the students emotionally, I was responsible for assisting the students with schoolwork. My favorite aspect of this job was attending art class with a handful of my students. I've been passionate about art my entire life and art class was my sanctuary throughout school. I use art as a means of expression and therapy. Sharing my love for art and seeing the creative expression of my students is an experience that I will cherish forever.

Chellas is a family owned restaurant that was started two years ago by my boss Luis. My responsibilities at the restaurant include everything from taking customers orders to preparing the food we serve from scratch. The restaurant is named after Luis's Grandmother who was an exceptional chef and enjoyed bringing families together to share food and good times. We take pride in continuing her tradition by serving her delicious food to the world. Although the restaurant is small we are extremely busy and our success relies on our ability to operate as a team. I believe that my ability to get along with other people and excel under pressure have made me a great fit for this job.

While working at Emerson House, I was responsible for the care and well being of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's and dementia. Many of the residents at the nursing home were receiving hospice care and living through the last days of their lives. It was my job to makes sure that approximately twenty residents were fed, toileted, showered and kept safe; alongside another Caregiver. This job presented new challenges everyday and gave me a deep appreciation for life. I took pride in making the residents feel safe, happy and loved. The most challenging aspect of the job was not assisting the residents with daily tasks, but dealing with the emotional distress from the residents families. More than a handful of residents died in the time that I spent at the nursing home. I was confident that I was providing the best care possible for the residents and I felt a deep sense of unconditional love for them and their families. This made the hardest part of the job the most meaningful. My interactions with the families were positive and uplifting due to our mutual love for their family member, I took pride in letting them know that they were in good hands. Despite this job being challenging, it solidified my interest in pursuing a career that allows me to help people in difficult situations.

Friendship Community provided me with the opportunity to work in a group home with individuals that have intellectual disabilities. My duties included providing residents with transportation, cooking food, administering medications and assisting with personal hygiene all while maintaining the safety and protecting the well being of the individuals. I built meaningful friendships with the four residents that I worked with. My reliability, lack of drama, and respect for the individuals is what made me fit perfectly into the family oriented group home. One of my strongest assets was my ability to resolve conflict and disagreements between the residents. I found providing them with individual support and taking time to speak with them one on one, strengthened their self esteem and reduced stress levels. Working at Friendship Community has given me a deeper appreciation for people and helped strengthen my ability to uplift others through daily interaction and support.

While landscaping, I mowed yards, planted trees and shrubs, mulched, weeded, trimmed plants and operated a truck with a trailer. I also assisted in building fences and a deck. I was required ro use problem solving skills and persevere through strenuous physical labor. Landscaping showed me the importance of hard work.

While working as a camp counselor, I was responsible for leading fifteen kids through games and activities. The job was challenging and equally rewarding. Seeing the growth of the kids in one summer was remarkable. It gave me insight into the power of influence and the importance of looking after younger generations.

While attending the University Of Colorado Springs, I worked as a lifeguard at the Rec Center.