Dr. Connie M. Reece Future Teacher Scholarship

I didn’t always know I wanted to become a teacher. In fact, there was a point in my life when I thought education had left me behind entirely. At eighteen, I was unjustly incarcerated, and the life I had envisioned for myself—serving in the Navy’s nuclear engineering program—was gone. After my release, I found myself trapped by a system that labeled me an ex-felon and denied me meaningful work, stability, and even dignity. But I was raised by a father who taught me something I carry with me to this day: When all the doors close around you, you build your own. So that’s what I did. I studied computer technology, became a certified IT technician, and launched my own business. That was my first act of resistance—turning rejection into opportunity. But it wasn’t until I returned to school that I began to understand what education could truly mean, not just for me, but for those around me. I am now a double major in Sociology and Social Welfare at UC Berkeley, maintaining a 4.0 GPA while actively working to create educational opportunities for others. I serve as the facilitator for UC Berkeley’s Teach in Prison Program, where I lead a team of students who tutor incarcerated men at San Quentin. I organize weekly debriefs, contextualize the carceral system through lectures, and work to transform the way students understand mass incarceration—not just as a topic of study, but as a system they can help dismantle through service, empathy, and learning. I also mentor students through Incarceration to College, a program that guides incarcerated and system-impacted youth into higher education. I help students complete community college coursework, write personal statements, and believe in their academic potential. One of the students we mentored is now enrolled at Berkeley. That moment—watching him arrive on campus with pride—felt like the clearest confirmation of my path: I want to dedicate my life to teaching, mentoring, and reshaping educational systems so they serve those most often left behind. I aspire to become a social worker and eventually earn a Ph.D. to design alternative sentencing academies—programs that offer education, mentorship, and structure in place of incarceration. But at the heart of all my future plans is teaching. I want to stand in front of students who were told they wouldn’t make it, and not only tell them they can—but show them how I did. My story, once seen as a disqualification, is now my greatest qualification. It gives me the empathy and credibility to reach those who need more than a lecture—they need a lifeline. What inspired me to become a teacher wasn’t a single person—it was every person who looked at me and didn’t give up. It was the professor who told me my past gave me perspective. It was the student who said, “I didn’t think people like us got into schools like this.” It was my daughter, who watches everything I do and deserves to know that redemption is real, and success is possible. Dr. Reece’s story resonates with me. Like her, I’ve balanced work, school, and parenthood. Like her, I believe that education is not just a profession—it’s a form of service. If awarded this scholarship, I will continue my journey as a teacher, mentor, and advocate, using every lesson I’ve lived to light the way for someone else.

To be a teacher is to provide for your students in every way possible and necessary. To be a teacher is to show up. To be a teacher is to see the good in everyone and not let any small hiccup in plans get in your way. To be a teacher is very challenging. Despite these difficult aspects that come with being an educator, I know that this profession is the one I want to pursue for the rest of my life. When I was in third grade, my family became homeless for 2 months, living in a series of different local motels. I’d like to believe that because I was so young, I don’t recall much of the details from that time in my life. However, I know that realistically, my brain has most likely blocked the majority of it from my memory as a response to trauma. I remember taking the public Pace bus with my dad to school from the motels because we didn’t have a car. I remember arriving at school early, happy to be there for the next 6 hours. I remember coming back to the motel room that my family of 5 squeezed into, having a ramen noodle cup for dinner, and going to bed. This cycle is the overall gist of what I can recall on the surface level. What I clearly remember from this era of my life is the excitement I felt each day I arrived at school and saw my teachers and classmates. My third grade teacher, Mrs. Anderson knew the circumstances my family was living under, and catered to my needs. She didn’t treat me any differently compared to my classmates, yet she made me feel so special in a way that made school–something I didn’t enjoy much before–so enjoyable. Her patience, cooperation, and understanding character is something I still appreciate to this day, and my respect for teachers since then has been so high. My dream is to be an elementary school teacher and obtain just a fraction of the admiring traits that Mrs. Anderson had for her class. As a future teacher, I desire to provide a strong education for young children. I aspire to seek socio-cultural experiences that will further allow me to connect with my future students more deeply, more than just on an educational level. For those children who are born into families with low income, or are first-generation students - I want them to know that they are capable. I want them to know that it gets better. I do not have the power to end poverty, but I can do my best as an educator to relieve any stress in the classroom. I aspire to tell children my story in hopes of motivating them to push hard through everything they do, in class and outside of school. I aspire to achieve these goals as I study Elementary Education with an ESL endorsement, along with a Spanish minor at Illinois State University. I am only a freshman, but I already know that this career path is for me. I am overly passionate about creating equal opportunities while ensuring that each student embraces their unique differences. I am fortunate and grateful to be able to obtain a degree. However, due to my family’s consistent low income, I am needing to provide tuition money on my own. Earning this scholarship would be a true privilege. I hope to be able to use this money towards my tuition to lessen the financial burden my family has had to persevere for years.

It wasn't until I encountered Ms. Williams, my first Black teacher, that my passion for becoming an educator ignited. Ms. Williams was a remarkable individual whose unwavering commitment and dedication to her students left an indelible mark on my life. Her mentorship and ability to go the extra mile in supporting me shaped my educational journey. The significance of having a Black teacher like Ms. Williams cannot be understated. Representation matters. As a person of color, seeing someone who shared my background and experiences in a position of authority was empowering. Ms. Williams shattered stereotypes and served as a role model for countless students, proving that education is a path to success irrespective of race or background. Witnessing her unyielding passion for teaching instilled in me a profound desire to make a similar impact on future generations. Ms. Williams was not just a teacher but a guiding light in my life. She recognized the potential within each student and fostered an environment of inclusivity, empathy, and growth. Her classroom was a haven where I felt heard, understood, and valued. Whether it was taking the time to address my concerns, providing additional resources, or offering guidance beyond the curriculum, she consistently went above and beyond her duties as a teacher. Ms. Williams organized after-school tutoring sessions for struggling students. She not only invested her time but also her genuine care for our progress. Her patience and ability to break down complex concepts into manageable parts allowed me to grasp the subject matter confidently. Ms. Williams taught me the power of perseverance and instilled in me the belief that no obstacle is insurmountable with the proper support and determination. As a young student, I faced numerous obstacles that could have easily derailed my educational journey. Coming from a disadvantaged background, I encountered financial constraints, limited resources, and a lack of academic guidance. Ms. Williams recognized the barriers I faced and became my advocate. She connected me with scholarship opportunities, sourced textbooks and materials, and encouraged me to seek support outside school. Her uncompromising belief in my abilities and her willingness to invest in my future propelled me forward and gave me the strength to overcome the adversities in my path. Ms. Williams taught me the value of education beyond the confines of a textbook. She fostered an environment that celebrated diversity, empathy, and understanding. Through her teachings, I learned to appreciate the perspectives of others, embrace cultural differences, and challenge societal norms. Her commitment to social justice and equality inspired me to become an advocate for change within and beyond the classroom. Ms. Williams played an instrumental role in shaping my passion for education and my journey as an individual. Her ability to go the extra mile, coupled with her support and mentorship, transformed my life and instilled in me the belief that education can create positive change. As I embark on my path to becoming an educator, I aspire to emulate the qualities she embodied and, through my teaching, make a lasting impact on students' lives, just as she did for me.