Lidia M. Wallace Memorial Scholarship

Education is coveted where it is not easily had. Those that have the privilege of not fighting for it rebel against the forces that push them towards it. There are children taking dangerous trails to a schoolhouse because they thirst for knowledge. Because it’s understood that knowledge is what progress is made of. For many, education is a requirement. Education is dull and useless. The unmitigated importance of education is lost in the responsibilities that surround it. For others, knowledge is a power to rival gods. The opportunities granted with education stand between servitude for corrupt leaders and the ability to provide yourself with a stable foundation to build your life off of. I desire to work in the education field because I understand how important literate competency is. I need to provide my students with structure and a creative outlet. I need to teach my students what kindness and compassion is. I need to be a positive role model for children because too few have one. I want to teach my students that their education should never be taken for granted. I want them to understand that to learn is to grow. To learn is to live. To learn is to be. To begin with, I am pursuing a career in elementary education because I want to give my students the building blocks necessary to continue expanding their knowledge. I also want the children I teach to develop creative hobbies and interests by incorporating hands-on activities and projects in my classroom. I understand that many kids learn better when interacting with their concepts physically and I want to offer multiple opportunities for my students to digest the foreign information properly. My goal is to provide them with the tools they need to grow. Secondly, I have witnessed too many children struggle with overwhelming emotions. I understand that as a teacher, one of my responsibilities will be in the form of imitation. I know a lot of children will mimic behaviors they witness. I want to be able to teach my students that being gentle and kind are very important traits to develop. I want to help my students build habits that allow them access to a compassionate and empathetic mindset. I want to be a role model that makes them feel heard. Seen. I want to show them that my classroom is a safe place to develop new characteristics that benefit their mental health. To build off of that last goal, I know all too well that I will be teaching many children that don’t have that behavior modeled at home. I have a lot of preparing to do in order for my actions to be what is right for them. I know not every student will require the same care. Some will thrive by themselves and others will need me a little more. I will deal with a lot of behavioral issues. I want to be able to help my students through their problems without making them feel like one. I need to teach them that they all have value, regardless of where they come from outside of the classroom. In summary, it’s going to be stressful, but I want to make a difference. If not for the world, then for my students on an individual level. I want to be able to focus my attention on what items and projects will best intrigue my students. My students deserve an involved teacher. They deserve my full attention and patience. I have many goals, some more difficult than others, but my students will be worth every second of it.