Earnestine Clay Educational Scholarship

I’ve always known I wanted to be a teacher, even before I really understood what a “career” was. Growing up, I used to line up my dolls pretending I had my own classroom and play school. I’ve always loved being around children and helping them learn new things. Throughout my high school years I spent part of my summer in elementary classrooms through the A+ program, my senior year I was a cadet teacher in a 1st grade class through the teacher educator program, and the summer after graduation I was a para in a special education class. Those experiences showed me how much I enjoy encouraging others and watching them grow, and helped me realize that teaching is the career where I can make the biggest difference. Although those were all great experiences, my younger years as a student were not always easy. I moved several times during elementary school, which meant I had to constantly adjust to new classrooms, new friends, and new teachers. Some transitions were easier than others, but in looking back what stands out to me was how much of a difference a good teacher made. The teachers who made me feel welcome, took time to develop a relationship with me, and believed in me made those moves so much easier. Because of that, I realized how powerful a teacher’s impact can be. One moment that changed me forever was losing my 5th grade teacher. She was one of the teachers who made school feel safe and exciting for me, and her passing was devastating. She was the kind of teacher who made every student feel seen and important, and she created a classroom where learning felt fun. Her kindness, her enthusiasm, and the way she believed in us didn’t go away just because she wasn’t there anymore. This showed me how the way a teacher treats their students can stick with them forever. I want to give my students the same feeling of belonging and support that she gave me. Another big influence in my life has been my mom. Growing up with an educator for a parent meant I got to see the behind-the-scenes part of being an educator—the late nights, the classroom stories, the bond she had with her students. I watched her pour so much love and patience into her work, and seeing the difference she made in children made me want that even more. Now I’m a freshman at the University of Central Missouri, majoring in Early Childhood Education. Being here has only made me more excited about my future. I’ve joined a sorority, gotten involved on campus, and started building the foundation for the kind of teacher I want to become. My goal is to create a classroom where every child feels supported, understood, and encouraged, especially the ones going through tough transitions like I did. I believe I can make a positive impact on the world through teaching because I know how it feels to need that one adult who believes in you. I’ve lived it and I want to be that person for my future students. A scholarship would help me focus fully on becoming the educator I’ve dreamed of being since the days of teaching lessons to my dolls. I’m committed, passionate, and ready to work hard so I can one day make the kind of difference that so many teachers made in my life.

Have you ever felt like you were born to do something that's going to make a difference in the world? Growing up I always knew I was born to be a teacher. I am the oldest of three and have started teaching my siblings at the age of 4. My "school" was in the basement where I would teach my sisters how to write their names in cursive, add numbers together, and read. I have loved teaching even from a young age, and I have always known it was going to be my future career. Teaching is also in my blood. My Grandpa Larry, Nana Sandy, and my Mom are all in the field of education. I grew up either in my at-home "school" or in my mom's classroom helping her out. When I was in high school I went through A+ and cadet teaching where I observed many different grade levels trying to find the perfect fit for me. However, I was unsuccessful when I found that I loved them all. Each grade level offers different experiences and I hope that one day I have the chance to try all grade levels as a teacher instead of a cadet or A+ student. I am currently a Title 1 Aid at Ste. Genevieve Elementary where I work with kids in kindergarten- third-grade. I love my job, and I love to see the difference I am making in the community and these kids' lives. My goal with this job is to make a difference in someone's life and help them progress in their academic success. This job truly offers the most rewarding feeling as you can see the progress the children make and the happiness that shows on their faces when they finally make a breakthrough on a hard topic they didn't originally understand. I work with some really low kids, and sometimes it can be really hard because it feels like you're going in circles. However, the small breakthroughs make the job worth all of the struggles and hard days. The smile that radiates off their face when they finally understand is the most amazing feeling as a future teacher. After this year I will have a couple more semesters until I can teach, and to say I am excited is an understatement. I am so beyond excited to start teaching and making a difference in these kids' everyday lives!

I am Zachary Horne, and I am a current second year student at Henderson State University, I am majoring in Middle-level Education in Mathematics. I have always done well in school and found it easy to succeed in. Though I haven’t struggled in college, I see the importance of managing time and have been doing quite well so far. The person that inspired me the most to attend Henderson State University and become a future educator is my mother, who passed away from cancer in her brain on July 28, 2023. My mother was an alumni from Henderson. I always looked up to everything she did, especially her profession that she excelled in teaching, and I knew just when I was in second grade that I wanted to be an educator just like her. The reason that I chose to be a math teacher is because I had always excelled in math, and it became something that was very satisfying to me and displayed my ability to problem solve. Although it irritates me that people say that they hate math, or they aren’t good at math; I am determined to show future students that they shouldn’t have such hatred towards math, but they just may not have the proper mindset when it comes to their math classes. I hope to show students that I also care about them, and they don’t think I just see them as a student, but I also see them as their own person. In 10 years, I see myself resembling my mother in education and educating the future generation similarly to how she did, by providing as much as an educator can for every child in my classroom. Additional to my mother’s inspiration for me to be an educator, one of my teachers in high school inspired me to specifically want to be a math teacher. In Mr. Martens’ class, he stuck with me about how he led the classroom and showed a passion for educating each student. This passion was seen by many of his students and changed many students' views on the use of mathematics. During my time at HSU, I hope to expand my knowledge of mathematics and develop an understanding of pedagogy in mathematics. The financial burden that has been pressuring me since July of 2023, when I lost my mother, I realized that she was the reason I had a financially stable childhood. Since losing her I have realized how impactful she was to me and many others. My mother was the most loving and caring person that I have ever met in my life. She always found joy in educating children and dedicated her life to changing her students’ lives and I am inspired to do the same as her. If I were awarded the Earnestine Clay Educational Scholarship, it would help satisfy my goals of reducing college costs. I appreciate your review of my scholarship application. Your support would not only alleviate my financial worries but also play a crucial role in advancing my higher education goals and fulfilling my commitment to honoring my mother's legacy throughout my academic and professional efforts.