The most satisfying experiences I remember in education during my career have been directly related to personal connections made with students. Most educational institutions fall short with atypical students because their underlying needs are not being met. Holistic educational practices recognize the correlation between the social and emotional needs of students and their academic growth. Nothing compares to helping a student learn to regulate their emotions, understand their personal worth, and encourage their progress as life-long learner. It is my passion to educate others through empowering and enhancing their way of life. I have found this fundamental truth in my experiences as an educator from public to charter schools within low income and affluent neighborhoods. Relationships between students and their teachers greatly influence their ability to realize their potential and grow academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. The reality of early childhood trauma in my four adopted children from foster care opened my eyes to the everyday challenges for their holistic growth. Their trauma affected every aspect of their daily lives and influenced their academic progress until we (my wife and I) strategically assessed how to best meet each of their individual needs. My hope, desire, and mission is to help students mature in all aspects of their development.