I remember from PreKPre-K an earlier literature related experience. The Snowy Day was a book I vividly remember (not necessarily reading but rather flipping through the pages with wide eyes and amazement). There was a designated time for reading in which I spent most days searching aimlessly for something to entertain myself with. After finding this book, however, things clicked in a way they had never before. At this age, I didn’t care about anything other than nap time, but looking back, it makes me happy to know that unlike other kids, I was intrigued in the literature (despite not knowing exactly what it was).

Beyond this point, my experience with school was not how I had expected it to be. It was not memorable, nor was it traumatic, but it most definitely did not have a positive impact on my view of education. I attended Broken Arrow Elementary School from Kindergarten to 4th grade where I was not adequately taught literacy or any subject for that matter. I dreaded when grade cards were sent out because I knew it would not reflect well on my academics. I was not excelling as I should have been with my peers. At the beginning of 5th grade, I moved to Sunflower Elementary School, where my eyes were opened to opportunities I had never experienced before. The feeling was similar to when I had my tiny hands wrapped around Ezra Jack Keats’Keat's book for the first time.