My name is Shield Swearing. I am a 26-year-old Toronto native. Born to Jamaican immigrant parents, my siblings and I were the first generation to experience growing up in a Canadian community where children’s education was a priority. From a young age, school had been a challenge for me, but it was the dedication of many teachers and principals who encouraged me and uplifted me with resources that were individualized to my own learning style. This is what propelled me into ECE. I applied for the Humber College ECE program as a start to my career as an educator. Since being in school I gained my first childcare job as a youth program coordinator for Christian Centre Church. In this position, I gained experience planning events for children and youth and learning how to build relationships. While I further my experience as an ECE I continue on building relationships that can alter the lives and experiences of children for the better, and as an educator, I take this influential role very seriously.