Van's Sisters On Our Shoulders "SOS" Scholarship

Picture this: a child’s eyes sparkling with curiosity, eager to learn and explore the world around them. Now, imagine being the guiding force behind nurturing that curiosity into a lifelong passion for learning. That’s where my journey begins, fueled by a burning desire to make a difference in young students’ lives. Greetings, I am Jada Stevenson, a 4th-year Elementary Education scholar from Tampa, FL. I currently attend the #1 public HBCU in the nation, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, and I aspire to be the next difference maker. From a young age, I have always wanted to be a teacher. I was the family babysitter since I hit double-digit age. While watching my little cousins, I would always make them play teacher. I would make silly worksheets and do arts and crafts. Fast forward to high school. I transferred to my graduating high school in my 10th-grade year. While enrolling in classes, I found out they partnered with the vocational school and offered an Early Childhood Education program. My eyes lit up, and I knew I had to be apart. While in the program, I learned from seasoned, veteran teachers and experienced hands-on training by creating lesson plans and working in their VPK and early head-start classes with students ages 3-5 years old. We received extensive training to ensure we knew all the rules and regulations. I graduated from there, obtaining my DCF 45 hours and CDA. Since 2015, I have worked as a VPK teacher at my cousin’s learning center until 2020, when I returned to school to further my education. During the semester breaks, I work as a teacher assistant and tutor to save for my tuition for the following semester. While pursuing my bachelor’s degree, I have taken and passed, earning my Florida K-6 General Knowledge Certification. My next steps are to take my two subject areas, Reading and ESOL, and K-12 Professional Education exams with eager hopes to have each completed and passed by August 2 or, at the latest, my graduation date, December 13th of this year! When that day arrives, I will be both fully endorsed and certified. Upon graduating, I plan on taking my teaching and life experience to a Title I elementary school. I want to teach between Kindergarten and Third grade. This is a foundation and pivotal time for young minds. Title I school students need more help in more ways than schools that have significant funding. I want my students to learn knowledge to support them in and out of the classroom. I want my students to have a safe place to thrive, and they will always have someone rooting for them and ready to help in any way possible. If selected, this scholarship will help me tremendously in completing my studies. Most importantly, it will help me cover a portion of my tuition. I have taken out many loans to complete my endeavors and can use this scholarship to have one less loan debt. Second, I can use the funds to help pay for my remaining six certification exams if I still need to complete them by the time the semester begins. Finally, I will be partaking in my student teaching this upcoming semester. I will be a full-time 2nd-grade teacher with no pay during this time. I will work 40 hours a week during the day and take my classes at night. I appreciate your consideration.

Title: Embracing the Call: A Journey to Teaching From the busy and constant activity in the halls of the school to the energetic courts of the basketball court, my life has been delicately woven with the fabric of education. As a single mother of three, my path in the educational realm has been both a calling and a commitment. With over two decades of service as a Paraprofessional and a devout dedication to coaching high school girls' basketball, my journey has been one of unwavering passion and profound purpose. Now, as I prepare for a new chapter, the allure of becoming an educator beckons me with an irresistible force. My journey into the heart of education began long ago, fueled by a desire to make a difference in the lives of young minds. As a Paraprofessional, I had the privilege of working closely with students, providing them with the support and guidance they needed to flourish academically and personally. Each day presented a new opportunity to inspire, motivate, and instill a love for learning within these impressionable souls. Whether it was assisting a struggling reader in learning new sight words, unlocking the mysteries of literature, or nurturing the curiosity of a blossoming scientist, I found comfort and fulfillment in the transformative power of education. Beyond the confines of the classroom, the basketball court became my sanctuary—a realm where discipline, teamwork, and perseverance reigned supreme. Coaching high school girls' basketball was not merely a duty but a calling—one that allowed me to impart invaluable life lessons beyond the boundaries of the game. Through victories and defeats, triumphs and setbacks, I witnessed firsthand the resilience and determination of my players, instilling in them the belief that with dedication and hard work, anything is possible. As I reflect on my journey, I am reminded of the profound influence of my mother—a loyal, reliable, and hardworking educator who dedicated 35 years of her life to shaping the minds and hearts of countless students. Her unwavering passion for teaching, coupled with her boundless compassion, served as a beacon of inspiration for me, igniting a fire within my soul to follow in her footsteps and carry on her legacy. Now, as I embark on the next chapter of my career, the prospect of becoming an educator fills me with both excitement and humility. I am eager to immerse myself in the art of teaching—to inspire, empower, and nurture the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and dreamers. Armed with a wealth of experience, a heart full of compassion, and a relentless drive to make a difference, I am prepared to embrace the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead. In this important stage of life, the threads of education have intertwined with the very essence of my being, shaping me into the person I am today. As I set forth on this new adventure, I do so with a profound sense of purpose and a deep-rooted commitment to the transformative power of education. For in the high demand of teachers lies the opportunity to not only impact individual lives but to shape the course of humanity itself—one lesson, one student, and one heart at a time. Ultimately, this scholarship will not only help me achieve my aspirations of becoming a teacher but will also empower me to inspire, empower, and nurture the next generation of learners. By investing in my education, this scholarship invests in the future of countless students whose lives I aim to touch and transform through the power of education.