Becoming a teacher has been more than a career goal for me, it's a calling rooted in purpose, identity, and the want to uplift future generations. My drive for entering the education field comes from a deep passion to serve as a positive Black role model and to leave a lasting impact on the lives of children, especially those who often go unseen, unheard, and are underrepresented within the school system. Growing up, I rarely saw teachers who looked like me. The absence of representation made it hard to envision myself in positions of influence or authority. It wasn’t until I encountered a Black male teacher in middle school, my math teacher Mr. Cohen. That’s when I began to understand the power of presence. He wasn’t just a teacher he was a mentor, a leader, and someone who carried himself with pride and integrity. He set a standard that made me realize that I could be that kind of influence for others one day. Those years planted the seed for my journey towards education. Representation matters and children need to see themselves in the people guiding them. When students see someone who shares their cultural background, it builds a sense of belonging and possibly the idea that no matter what box people put them in they can break those expectations. I want to be that figure for young students who may not believe in their potential yet. My presence and positive attitude alone can challenge stereotypes and inspire confidence. More importantly, I want to show students that success, intelligence, and leadership come in all shades. But it’s not just about being seen, it's about making a difference. I want to create an environment where students feel respected, supported, and understood. My goal is to help them discover their strengths and push past their limitations. Every child deserves a teacher who sees their potential and refuses to let them settle for less. By building strong relationships and setting high expectations, I plan to help students grow academically and personally, making the newest generation of students' futures brighter so they can also leave a lasting positive impact on the world and their communities. Ultimately, my goal is to leave a lasting, positive impact not just in academics, but in students’ lives. I want them to remember how they were valued, heard, and told they were capable. Teaching is my way of giving back to the community and creating change from the inside out. My drive comes from knowing that one teacher can make a difference and I intend to be that one.

Becoming a teacher has been more than a career goal for me, it's a calling rooted in purpose, identity, and the want to uplift future generations. My drive for entering the education field comes from a deep passion to serve as a positive Black role model and to leave a lasting impact on the lives of children, especially those who often go unseen, unheard, and are underrepresented within the school system. Growing up, I rarely saw teachers who looked like me. The absence of representation made it hard to envision myself in positions of influence or authority. It wasn’t until I encountered a Black male teacher in middle school, my math teacher Mr. Cohen. That’s when I began to understand the power of presence. He wasn’t just a teacher he was a mentor, a leader, and someone who carried himself with pride and integrity. He set a standard that made me realize that I could be that kind of influence for others one day. Those years planted the seed for my journey towards education. Representation matters and children need to see themselves in the people guiding them. When students see someone who shares their cultural background, it builds a sense of belonging and possibly the idea that no matter what box people put them in they can break those expectations. I want to be that figure for young students who may not believe in their potential yet. My presence and positive attitude alone can challenge stereotypes and inspire confidence. More importantly, I want to show students that success, intelligence, and leadership come in all shades. But it’s not just about being seen, it's about making a difference. I want to create an environment where students feel respected, supported, and understood. My goal is to help them discover their strengths and push past their limitations. Every child deserves a teacher who sees their potential and refuses to let them settle for less. By building strong relationships and setting high expectations, I plan to help students grow academically and personally, making the newest generation of students' futures brighter so they can also leave a lasting positive impact on the world and their communities. Ultimately, my goal is to leave a lasting, positive impact not just in academics, but in students’ lives. I want them to remember how they were valued, heard, and told they were capable. Teaching is my way of giving back to the community and creating change from the inside out. My drive comes from knowing that one teacher can make a difference and I intend to be that one.

Becoming a teacher has been more than a career goal for me, it's a calling rooted in purpose, identity, and the want to uplift future generations. My drive for entering the education field comes from a deep passion to serve as a positive Black role model and to leave a lasting impact on the lives of children, especially those who often go unseen, unheard, and are underrepresented within the school system. Growing up, I rarely saw teachers who looked like me. The absence of representation made it hard to envision myself in positions of influence or authority. It wasn’t until I encountered a Black male teacher in middle school, my math teacher Mr. Cohen. That’s when I began to understand the power of presence. He wasn’t just a teacher he was a mentor, a leader, and someone who carried himself with pride and integrity. He set a standard that made me realize that I could be that kind of influence for others one day. Those years planted the seed for my journey towards education. Representation matters and children need to see themselves in the people guiding them. When students see someone who shares their cultural background, it builds a sense of belonging and possibly the idea that no matter what box people put them in they can break those expectations. I want to be that figure for young students who may not believe in their potential yet. My presence and positive attitude alone can challenge stereotypes and inspire confidence. More importantly, I want to show students that success, intelligence, and leadership come in all shades. But it’s not just about being seen, it's about making a difference. I want to create an environment where students feel respected, supported, and understood. My goal is to help them discover their strengths and push past their limitations. Every child deserves a teacher who sees their potential and refuses to let them settle for less. By building strong relationships and setting high expectations, I plan to help students grow academically and personally, making the newest generation of students' futures brighter so they can also leave a lasting positive impact on the world and their communities. Ultimately, my goal is to leave a lasting, positive impact not just in academics, but in students’ lives. I want them to remember how they were valued, heard, and told they were capable. Teaching is my way of giving back to the community and creating change from the inside out. My drive comes from knowing that one teacher can make a difference and I intend to be that one.

Growing up in a single black household has made me want to become a teacher. This has been more than a personal career goal for me, it's a calling rooted in purpose, identity, and the want to uplift future generations like my mother did for me. My drive for entering the education field comes from a deep passion to serve as a positive Black role model and to leave a lasting impact on the lives of children, especially those who often go unseen, unheard, and are underrepresented within the school system. As I've gotten older I rarely saw younger black children with positive black role models in their lives. The absence of representation makes it hard for young black kids to envision themselves in positions of influence or authority. It wasn’t until in middle school I understood the importance of having impactful people of both genders in your life. That’s when I began to understand the power of presence. My mother wasn't just a mother, she was a father, mentor, a leader, and someone who carried herself with pride and integrity. She set a standard that made me realize that I could be that kind of influence for others one day. Those years planted the seed for my journey towards education. I strongly believe that it takes a village to raise a child and when you’ve seen someone do it alone for 18 years it makes it difficult to not want to become a part of someone's village. Representation matters and children need to see themselves in the people guiding them. When students see someone who shares their cultural background, it builds a sense of belonging and possibly the idea that no matter what box people put them in they can break those expectations. I want to be that figure for young students who may not believe in their potential yet. My presence and positive attitude alone can challenge stereotypes and inspire confidence. More importantly, I want to show students that success, intelligence, and leadership come in all shades. But it’s not just about being seen, it's about making a difference. I want to create an environment where students feel respected, supported, and understood. My goal is to help them discover their strengths and push past their limitations. Every child deserves a teacher who sees their potential and refuses to let them settle for less. By building strong relationships and setting high expectations, I plan to help students grow academically and personally, making the newest generation of students' futures brighter so they can also leave a lasting positive impact on the world and their communities. Ultimately, my goal is to leave a lasting, positive impact not just in academics, but in students’ lives. I want them to remember how they were valued, heard, and told they were capable. Teaching is my way of giving back to the community and creating change from the inside out. My drive comes from knowing that one teacher can make a difference and I intend to be that one.

A personal achievement I'm most proud of accomplishing is learning the French Language. What began as a mandatory class I had to take to graduate turned into something I enjoyed challenging myself to learn. I started learning French my sophomore year of highschool. It wasn’t my first option though, I wanted to take Spanish or Arabic at first but since all the classes were filled I had no option but to take French. Since I didn’t want to originally take the class I dismissed it at first, not paying attention, not engaging, but the language and its people's culture intrigued me soon enough. Slowly but surely I was watching french movies using subtitles to understand what's happening, listening to french movies, even tuned into some french basketball games which really made it easy to be intrigued. I started participating more in class as well, even helping some classmates study before our quizzes. By the time our verbal test came at the end of the semesterI was confident enough to know I would pass the test. Learning a new language is more than just learning to speak differently, it shows you patience and perseverance. It also showed me another culture other than mine and made me intrigued to learn about it. As I continue to learn French I can look back and see how far I've truly come. From not caring at all about learning it to being able to communicate in a whole other language that isn't native to mine. This showed me that effort and consistency can help you accomplish almost anything. Personally this accomplishment has changed the way I approach future challenges. I think with an open mind now and I'm open to new things even if I may not want to do them. I’ve become more patient with myself and more willing to make mistakes. This new mindset has made it easy for me to tackle future challenges such as difficult classes and preparing for college. Learning a new language also has helped me feel more connected to other communities; others are a part of that I can now join and fraternize with. In conclusion learning the French language is a personal achievement I’ll always be proud of because even though I didn't want to learn it i became almost fluent in it, taught myself the skills of perseverance and patience, and also it gave me a new perspective on tackling tough problems I face in my day-to-day life.

Growing up in a single black household has made me want to become a teacher. This has been more than a personal career goal for me, it's a calling rooted in purpose, identity, and the want to uplift future generations like my mother did for me. My drive for entering the education field comes from a deep passion to serve as a positive Black role model and to leave a lasting impact on the lives of children, especially those who often go unseen, unheard, and are underrepresented within the school system. In my youth I rarely saw younger black children with positive black role models in their lives. The absence of representation makes it hard for young black kids to envision themselves in positions of influence or authority. It wasn’t until in middle school I understood the importance of having impactful people of both genders in your life. That’s when I began to understand the power of presence. My mother wasn't just a mother, she was a father, mentor, a leader, and someone who carried herself with pride and integrity. She set a standard that made me realize that I could be that kind of influence for others one day. Those years planted the seed for my journey towards education. I strongly believe that it takes a village to raise a child and when you’ve seen someone do it alone for 18 years it makes it difficult to not want to become a part of someone's village. Representation matters and children need to see themselves in the people guiding them. When students see someone who shares their cultural background, it builds a sense of belonging and possibly the idea that no matter what box people put them in they can break those expectations. I want to be that figure for young students who may not believe in their potential yet. My presence and positive attitude alone can challenge stereotypes and inspire confidence. More importantly, I want to show students that success, intelligence, and leadership come in all shades. But it’s not just about being seen, it's about making a difference. I want to create an environment where students feel respected, supported, and understood. My goal is to help them discover their strengths and push past their limitations. Every child deserves a teacher who sees their potential and refuses to let them settle for less. By building strong relationships and setting high expectations, I plan to help students grow academically and personally, making the newest generation of students' futures brighter so they can also leave a lasting positive impact on the world and their communities. Ultimately, my goal is to leave a lasting, positive impact not just in academics, but in students’ lives. I want them to remember how they were valued, heard, and told they were capable. Teaching is my way of giving back to the community and creating change from the inside out. My drive comes from knowing that one teacher can make a difference and I intend to be that one.

I plan on becoming a positive impact by becoming a teacher. This has been more than a career goal for me, it's a calling rooted in purpose, identity, and the want to uplift future generations. My drive for entering the education field comes from a deep passion to serve as a positive Black role model and to leave a lasting impact on the lives of children, especially those who often go unseen, unheard, and are underrepresented within the school system. Growing up, I rarely saw teachers who looked like me. The absence of representation made it hard to envision myself in positions of influence or authority. It wasn’t until I encountered a Black male teacher in middle school, my math teacher Mr. Cohen. That’s when I began to understand the power of presence. He wasn’t just a teacher he was a mentor, a leader, and someone who carried himself with pride and integrity. He set a standard that made me realize that I could be that kind of influence for others one day. Those years planted the seed for my journey towards education. Representation matters and children need to see themselves in the people guiding them. When students see someone who shares their cultural background, it builds a sense of belonging and possibly the idea that no matter what box people put them in they can break those expectations. I want to be that figure for young students who may not believe in their potential yet. My presence and positive attitude alone can challenge stereotypes and inspire confidence. More importantly, I want to show students that success, intelligence, and leadership come in all shades. But it’s not just about being seen, it's about making a difference. I want to create an environment where students feel respected, supported, and understood. My goal is to help them discover their strengths and push past their limitations. Every child deserves a teacher who sees their potential and refuses to let them settle for less. By building strong relationships and setting high expectations, I plan to help students grow academically and personally, making the newest generation of students' futures brighter so they can also leave a lasting positive impact on the world and their communities. Ultimately, my goal is to leave a lasting, positive impact not just in academics, but in students’ lives. I want them to remember how they were valued, heard, and told they were capable. Teaching is my way of giving back to the community and creating change from the inside out. My drive comes from knowing that one teacher can make a difference and I intend to be that one.

My interest in governmental policies stems from the desire to be closer to the communities impacted by the legislation while also being accessible to help solve complex problems and questions with practical solutions. State governments can act like “testing grounds” or “subjects” to innovative policies so they could possibly be used on the national level if the policies were seen as successes. I'm intrigued to work at the state level of government so I can see real time effects of government and policy change while also engaging closer to my future constituents and stakeholders. Having the experience at the state level of government is beneficial because you get the nuanced balance of local values and super broad national goals. Nonetheless I also want to work at the federal level as well where decisions that are made have sweeping impacts not just in our neighborhoods or cities, but the country as a whole and maybe even the rest of the world. The ability to make the world a better place would be a team I would love to, and aspire to be on. A current policy issue that has particularly caught my attention is the weaponization of tariffs and the ill advised advice given to the public from a plethora of government workers that they could help our economy. While tariffs are a legitimate tool and resource used widely around the world, the influx of threatened tariffs to domestic importers threatens our very economy. When tariffs are placed on goods we import the immediate increase in price is passed off onto consumers in America, this is so that the companies that import goods can maintain their profit margin which will eventually be paid off by consumers. Not only does this not punish foreign producers who import things ro the United States, they disproportionately affect middle and lower class American citizens who will have to pay more for basic goods including food and household needs. The end result of weaponizing tariffs ends in a distorted market where everyone loses, business struggle while the widespread economy across the country suffers due to inflation. I care about this policy profoundly because it shows the misunderstanding and misuse of power while sharing political goals.Using tariffs as a punitive measure to bully others into working with us ultimately can, and has happened to undercut the people our policymakers are meant to serve. When talking about policies that have global ramifications it becomes more evident that civil discourse plays a vital role in shaping public policy when talking about foreign trade and economics. When citizens, policy makers, and even economic experts engage in respectful discourse it gives very many people new ways of thinking and the opportunity to learn new information. It also opens the door to being transparent as to what's going on within the government and gives people more of an understanding of what the laws and bills being passed actually mean and the plausible effects of them. By nurturing an environment where conversations like that are healthy and ideas are exchanged we have the opportunity to make more inclusive policies that actually serve the public's interest and not what the government thinks the public wants. In conclusion I'm drawn to policy work because of the power to improve people's lives when they are actually being heard and respected.The misuse of tariffs shows the need for economic literacy not only from the general public but also those in office.I hope to be a part of the new generation of leaders committed to facts, empathy, and healthy discourse throughout every level and every branch of government.

Becoming a teacher has been more than a career goal for me, it's a calling rooted in purpose, identity, and the want to uplift future generations. My drive for entering the education field comes from a deep passion to serve as a positive Black role model and to leave a lasting impact on the lives of children, especially those who often go unseen, unheard, and are underrepresented within the school system. Growing up, I rarely saw teachers who looked like me. The absence of representation made it hard to envision myself in positions of influence or authority. It wasn’t until I encountered a Black male teacher in middle school, my math teacher Mr. Cohen. That’s when I began to understand the power of presence. He wasn’t just a teacher he was a mentor, a leader, and someone who carried himself with pride and integrity. He set a standard that made me realize that I could be that kind of influence for others one day. Those years planted the seed for my journey towards education. Representation matters and children need to see themselves in the people guiding them. When students see someone who shares their cultural background, it builds a sense of belonging and possibly the idea that no matter what box people put them in they can break those expectations. I want to be that figure for young students who may not believe in their potential yet. My presence and positive attitude alone can challenge stereotypes and inspire confidence. More importantly, I want to show students that success, intelligence, and leadership come in all shades. But it’s not just about being seen, it's about making a difference. I want to create an environment where students feel respected, supported, and understood. My goal is to help them discover their strengths and push past their limitations. Every child deserves a teacher who sees their potential and refuses to let them settle for less. By building strong relationships and setting high expectations, I plan to help students grow academically and personally, making the newest generation of students' futures brighter so they can also leave a lasting positive impact on the world and their communities. Ultimately, my goal is to leave a lasting, positive impact not just in academics, but in students’ lives. I want them to remember how they were valued, heard, and told they were capable. Teaching is my way of giving back to the community and creating change from the inside out. My drive comes from knowing that one teacher can make a difference and I intend to be that one.

Becoming a teacher has been more than a career goal for me, it's a calling rooted in purpose, identity, and the want to uplift future generations. My drive for entering the education field comes from a deep passion to serve as a positive Black role model and to leave a lasting impact on the lives of children, especially those who often go unseen, unheard, and are underrepresented within the school system. Growing up, I rarely saw teachers who looked like me. The absence of representation made it hard to envision myself in positions of influence or authority. It wasn’t until I encountered a Black male teacher in middle school, my math teacher Mr. Cohen. That’s when I began to understand the power of presence. He wasn’t just a teacher he was a mentor, a leader, and someone who carried himself with pride and integrity. He set a standard that made me realize that I could be that kind of influence for others one day. Those years planted the seed for my journey towards education. Representation matters and children need to see themselves in the people guiding them. When students see someone who shares their cultural background, it builds a sense of belonging and possibly the idea that no matter what box people put them in they can break those expectations. I want to be that figure for young students who may not believe in their potential yet. My presence and positive attitude alone can challenge stereotypes and inspire confidence. More importantly, I want to show students that success, intelligence, and leadership come in all shades. But it’s not just about being seen, it's about making a difference. I want to create an environment where students feel respected, supported, and understood. My goal is to help them discover their strengths and push past their limitations. Every child deserves a teacher who sees their potential and refuses to let them settle for less. By building strong relationships and setting high expectations, I plan to help students grow academically and personally, making the newest generation of students' futures brighter so they can also leave a lasting positive impact on the world and their communities. Ultimately, my goal is to leave a lasting, positive impact not just in academics, but in students’ lives. I want them to remember how they were valued, heard, and told they were capable. Teaching is my way of giving back to the community and creating change from the inside out. My drive comes from knowing that one teacher can make a difference and I intend to be that one.

Becoming a teacher has been more than a career goal for me, it's a calling rooted in purpose, identity, and the want to uplift future generations. My drive for entering the education field comes from a deep passion to serve as a positive Black role model and to leave a lasting impact on the lives of children, especially those who often go unseen, unheard, and are underrepresented within the school system. Growing up, I rarely saw teachers who looked like me. The absence of representation made it hard to envision myself in positions of influence or authority. It wasn’t until I encountered a Black male teacher in middle school, my math teacher Mr. Cohen. That’s when I began to understand the power of presence. He wasn’t just a teacher he was a mentor, a leader, and someone who carried himself with pride and integrity. He set a standard that made me realize that I could be that kind of influence for others one day. Those years planted the seed for my journey towards education. Representation matters and children need to see themselves in the people guiding them. When students see someone who shares their cultural background, it builds a sense of belonging and possibly the idea that no matter what box people put them in they can break those expectations. I want to be that figure for young students who may not believe in their potential yet. My presence and positive attitude alone can challenge stereotypes and inspire confidence. More importantly, I want to show students that success, intelligence, and leadership come in all shades. But it’s not just about being seen, it's about making a difference. I want to create an environment where students feel respected, supported, and understood. My goal is to help them discover their strengths and push past their limitations. Every child deserves a teacher who sees their potential and refuses to let them settle for less. By building strong relationships and setting high expectations, I plan to help students grow academically and personally, making the newest generation of students' futures brighter so they can also leave a lasting positive impact on the world and their communities. Ultimately, my goal is to leave a lasting, positive impact not just in academics, but in students’ lives. I want them to remember how they were valued, heard, and told they were capable. Teaching is my way of giving back to the community and creating change from the inside out. My drive comes from knowing that one teacher can make a difference and I intend to be that one.

Becoming a teacher has been more than a career goal for me, it's a calling rooted in purpose, identity, and the want to uplift future generations. My drive for entering the education field comes from a deep passion to serve as a positive Black role model and to leave a lasting impact on the lives of children, especially those who often go unseen, unheard, and are underrepresented within the school system. Growing up, I rarely saw teachers who looked like me. The absence of representation made it hard to envision myself in positions of influence or authority. It wasn’t until I encountered a Black male teacher in middle school, my math teacher Mr. Cohen. That’s when I began to understand the power of presence. He wasn’t just a teacher he was a mentor, a leader, and someone who carried himself with pride and integrity. He set a standard that made me realize that I could be that kind of influence for others one day. Those years planted the seed for my journey towards education. Representation matters and children need to see themselves in the people guiding them. When students see someone who shares their cultural background, it builds a sense of belonging and possibly the idea that no matter what box people put them in they can break those expectations. I want to be that figure for young students who may not believe in their potential yet. My presence and positive attitude alone can challenge stereotypes and inspire confidence. More importantly, I want to show students that success, intelligence, and leadership come in all shades. But it’s not just about being seen, it's about making a difference. I want to create an environment where students feel respected, supported, and understood. My goal is to help them discover their strengths and push past their limitations. Every child deserves a teacher who sees their potential and refuses to let them settle for less. By building strong relationships and setting high expectations, I plan to help students grow academically and personally, making the newest generation of students' futures brighter so they can also leave a lasting positive impact on the world and their communities. Ultimately, my goal is to leave a lasting, positive impact not just in academics, but in students’ lives. I want them to remember how they were valued, heard, and told they were capable. Teaching is my way of giving back to the community and creating change from the inside out. My drive comes from knowing that one teacher can make a difference and I intend to be that one.

As an 18 year old African American male preparing to major in education, I am deeply committed to using my future to make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of young people. Receiving this scholarship would not only help me cover the cost of room and board at my future institution, but it would also bring me one step closer to fulfilling my dream of becoming a transformative educator. While many people focus on the rising cost of tuition, I believe that room and board are just as essential. Having a safe, stable place to sleep, study, and eat is a foundation for academic success especially when you are living away from home for the first time. This scholarship would help provide me with that foundation, and it would reduce some of the financial burden that comes with this next chapter of my life. Recently, I received my FAFSA information and was granted the opportunity to participate in a federal work study program to help pay the remaining $8,572 per semester toward room and board. I am grateful for this opportunity, but I also understand that working long hours while managing a full course load, getting involved in student organizations, and maintaining my mental and spiritual well-being can be extremely difficult. This scholarship would allow me to cut back on the number of hours I need to work, giving me more time to focus on my classes, attend campus events, volunteer in my community, and continue to grow as a person and future educator. I’ve chosen to major in education because I believe in the power of representation. Positive Black male role models are severely underrepresented in today’s classrooms, and I want to help change that. I want students l especially young Black students to see someone who looks like them, and shares the same experiences ans them, to truly care about their growth, both academically and personally. I want to create an environment where every student feels seen, heard, and supported. To me, being a teacher isn’t just about delivering lessons and handing out packets. It’s about inspiring students, building community, and making a real difference in the lives of others. This scholarship would not only support me financially but also help me invest in my future and the futures of the students I hope to serve. Thank you for considering me for this opportunity. Your support would be a powerful investment in the change I hope to create in the classroom and beyond reaching into the local communities.