Going back to school as an adult taught me that pursuing a dream and figuring out how to pay for that dream are often two completely different challenges. I am currently pursuing my doctorate while working full-time as a high school science teacher and raising my children. Unlike the traditional college experience, returning to school at this stage of my life means tuition is only one piece of a much larger financial picture. I still have a household to maintain, children to support, everyday expenses to manage, and a future that I am trying to prepare for. Because of that, I have become very intentional about minimizing the amount of student debt I take on. One of the primary ways I am addressing my educational expenses is by actively searching and applying for scholarships. I treat scholarship applications almost like another part-time responsibility because every award I receive represents money that I will not have to borrow and repay later with interest. Even smaller scholarships matter. A few hundred or a few thousand dollars may not cover an entire degree, but combined, those awards can significantly reduce the financial burden of continuing my education. I also continue working full-time while completing my doctoral program. Balancing a career, motherhood, and graduate-level coursework is demanding, but maintaining my employment allows me to continue supporting my family while contributing toward the cost of my education. I budget carefully, prioritize necessary expenses, and look for opportunities to pay educational costs without automatically relying on additional loans. My long-term strategy is also connected to why I am earning this degree. I am pursuing an Ed.D. in Instructional Technology because I want to expand my career beyond my current classroom and move into educational technology and instructional leadership. Advancing professionally will increase my ability to provide financial stability for my family while allowing me to make a broader impact on teachers and students. I am especially conscious of debt because I want the education I am earning to create freedom, not simply replace one financial struggle with another. My goal is not just to graduate. I want to graduate with as little additional student debt as possible so that the income I earn afterward can be used to build savings, invest in my children's futures, contribute to my community, and create lasting financial stability. As a non-traditional student, I understand that there is no perfect time to return to school. Sometimes you simply decide that the future you want is worth working for. I have made that decision, but I am also determined to pursue it responsibly. Receiving this scholarship would allow me to reduce the amount I need to finance and bring me one step closer to earning my doctorate without allowing student debt to overshadow everything I hope to accomplish with it.

Selflessness, to me, is not about ignoring my own needs or trying to be everything to everyone. It is about recognizing when someone needs help and choosing to step in, even when there is nothing to gain in return. I see that most clearly in my work with students. As a high school science teacher, I have learned that sometimes the biggest barrier to success has nothing to do with the lesson being taught. A student may be struggling academically because of responsibilities at home, transportation issues, lack of resources, or simply because they have stopped believing they are capable. In those moments, I try to give more than instruction. I offer tutoring, encouragement, extra opportunities to practice, and sometimes simply a safe place to regroup. There have been many afternoons when I stayed beyond the school day to help a student understand a concept, make up missed work, or create a plan to recover academically. Those moments remind me that helping someone often means meeting them where they are rather than expecting them to navigate the struggle alone. My commitment to service also extends beyond my classroom. As president of the Huisman Sickle Cell Foundation, I help support families throughout my community who are experiencing financial hardship or difficult seasons. Our organization assists families with needs such as groceries, utilities, housing support, hospital care items, scholarships, and other resources. Some of the most meaningful moments are not the large events or public programs. They are the quiet ones—helping a family keep their lights on, providing groceries when money is tight, or making sure a child has something comforting during a hospital stay. I have also learned that selflessness sometimes means giving your time when your schedule is already full. Between teaching, raising my children, pursuing my doctorate, and serving in leadership roles, there are certainly days when it would be easier to say, “I have enough on my plate.” Still, I continue serving because I know how powerful it can be when someone chooses to show up for you during a difficult moment. I do not consider myself selfless because I have unlimited time, money, or energy. I embody selflessness because I am willing to use what I do have—my time, education, voice, resources, and experiences—to make someone else’s burden a little lighter. To me, that is what service is really about. You may not be able to solve every problem, but you can choose not to walk past someone who needs help. And whenever I have the ability to make a difference, I want to be the person who chooses to stop, help, and remind someone that they are not facing the challenge alone.

When I imagine the life of my dreams, I do not picture a mansion, a luxury car, or a life without responsibilities. I picture a Tuesday afternoon when I am not rushing. My children are home, the bills are paid, dinner is figured out, and I am doing work that matters without feeling as though I have to sacrifice one part of my life to succeed in another. After years of balancing motherhood, teaching, graduate school, leadership, and community service, my dream is not simply to become successful. It is to build a life in which success and peace can exist in the same place. Professionally, I see myself completing my doctorate in Instructional Technology and moving into a leadership position where I can influence education beyond the walls of one classroom. Teaching has shown me how powerful technology can be when it is used intentionally. I want to help teachers feel confident using new tools, create learning experiences that reach students with different needs, and advocate for schools and communities that are too often expected to accomplish more with fewer resources. I want the lessons I have learned as a classroom teacher to shape decisions at the district level and beyond. My dream life also includes continuing the work I do through the Huisman Sickle Cell Foundation. I want to help grow the organization into a resource families throughout my community know they can turn to for education, advocacy, financial assistance, and support. As a mother, I understand how quickly life can change when your child needs care. I want families facing difficult seasons to know that they do not have to navigate every challenge alone. Most importantly, my dream is deeply connected to my children. I want them to grow up remembering a mother who worked hard, but not one who was always too busy to be present. I want them to see that education can change the direction of a family, that serving others is worthwhile, and that starting over or pursuing a goal later than expected does not mean you are behind. I want my accomplishments to give them opportunities, but I also want my journey to give them courage. Financial stability is part of that dream as well. Not because I want an extravagant life, but because I know the freedom that comes from being able to make decisions based on purpose instead of survival. I want to travel with my children, invest in their futures, give generously, and occasionally rest without mentally calculating what still needs to be done. The life of my dreams is meaningful, stable, and full. It is a life where I am Dr. Bridges, an educational leader, an advocate, a mother, and a woman who turned every difficult chapter into something useful. I am not waiting for that life to magically appear. I am building it now—one degree, one student, one family, and one courageous decision at a time.

The story that changed mine belongs to my mother. She raised me as a single parent while also earning a college degree and building a better future for our family. Watching her balance responsibility, sacrifice, and ambition taught me that difficult circumstances need not determine the limits of a person’s life. She never allowed me to believe that my goals were too large or that education was optional. Instead, she consistently reminded me that I was capable, expected me to work hard, and encouraged me to keep moving forward even when the path was difficult. Her example has influenced nearly every major decision I have made. Today, I am a mother, high school science educator, doctoral student, and nonprofit leader. Like my mother, I understand what it means to pursue personal goals while carrying the responsibility of caring for a family. Her perseverance showed me that achievement is not always about having ideal circumstances. Sometimes, it is about deciding that the challenges in front of you will not have the final word. A problem in my community that many people walk past is the hidden burden carried by families affected by sickle cell disease. People may recognize the name of the illness, but they often do not see what families experience behind the scenes. They do not always see the frequent hospital visits, missed days of school and work, transportation challenges, medical expenses, emotional exhaustion, or difficulty accessing basic resources during a health crisis. This issue is personal to me because one of my children was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at birth. Through that experience, I learned that a chronic illness affects far more than physical health. It can disrupt a family’s finances, education, employment, and emotional well-being. I also learned that many families quietly manage these challenges without consistent support. What I notice is that families often do not need sympathy as much as they need systems that respond to their actual circumstances. A parent staying at the hospital with a sick child may also be worried about rent, groceries, transportation, or losing wages. A student with sickle cell disease may be viewed as absent or unmotivated when they are actually managing pain, fatigue, appointments, and hospitalizations. These realities are easy to overlook when people only see the surface. If I had greater resources, I would expand community-based support for families affected by sickle cell disease. I would create an emergency assistance program for housing, utilities, groceries, and transportation. I would also develop school advocacy resources to help educators understand the disease and provide appropriate accommodations for students. In addition, I would build stronger partnerships among schools, healthcare providers, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. Families should not have to search for help while already navigating a medical crisis. Resources should be coordinated, accessible, and offered with dignity. My mother taught me that education creates opportunity, but she also taught me that success comes with a responsibility to help others. Her story inspired me to pursue my goals, and my own experiences have taught me where my service is most needed. I want to use my education, leadership, and advocacy to make sure families affected by sickle cell disease are not overlooked, unsupported, or forced to carry their challenges alone.

The most challenging part of being both a student and a single parent is carrying the responsibility for two futures at once. As a parent, my children depend on me for stability, guidance, emotional support, and daily care. As a student, I am working toward a degree that requires focus, discipline, research, and significant time. Both roles are deeply important to me, and neither can be placed on hold when the other becomes demanding. There are many days when I move directly from teaching high school science to managing homework, meals, appointments, household responsibilities, and my own doctoral coursework. By the time I sit down to complete an assignment, I am often working with whatever energy remains after everyone else’s needs have been met. As a single parent, there is no second adult in the home to automatically take over when deadlines overlap, a child becomes ill, or an unexpected expense arises. I have learned how to adapt quickly, but constantly balancing these responsibilities can be physically and emotionally exhausting. One of the hardest challenges is the feeling that time spent in one role is sometimes taken away from the other. When I am working on an assignment, I may feel guilty for not spending that time with my children. When I pause my schoolwork to meet a family need, I may worry about falling behind academically. I have had to learn that balance does not always mean giving equal time to everything. Sometimes it means identifying what needs me most in that moment and trusting that I can return to the other responsibility with renewed focus. My experience as the mother of a child with sickle cell disease adds another layer to this challenge. Medical appointments, health concerns, and unexpected hospitalizations cannot be scheduled around coursework. There have been moments when school deadlines remained in place even while my family was navigating a health crisis. Those experiences have tested my strength, but they have also taught me that perseverance is not about pretending difficult circumstances do not exist. It is about adjusting, asking for help when necessary, and continuing to move forward. The financial demands of being a single parent and a doctoral student are also significant. Tuition, books, technology, and academic fees must be managed alongside housing, groceries, transportation, childcare needs, medical expenses, and the everyday costs of raising a family. Although I work full-time as an educator, there is often little budget flexibility once my household's needs are met. Every educational expense requires careful planning, and unexpected costs can quickly add to the stress. Despite these challenges, returning to school has been one of the most meaningful decisions I have made. I want my children to see that their circumstances do not have to limit their goals. I want them to understand that education is not only something I encourage them to pursue; it is something I am willing to sacrifice for and work toward myself. They are watching me complete assignments after long workdays, manage setbacks, and continue even when the process is difficult. I hope that example teaches them resilience, discipline, and the importance of believing in a future that may take time to build. This scholarship would help relieve some of the financial pressure associated with completing my doctoral degree. Reducing the cost of tuition and educational expenses would allow me to focus more fully on my coursework without having to redirect as much of my family’s income toward school. It would also reduce the possibility of taking on additional debt, which is especially important as I work to create long-term financial stability for my children. The impact of this scholarship would extend beyond helping me complete a degree. My goal is to use my Doctor of Education in Instructional Technology to move into a school- or district-level leadership position where I can support teachers, improve technology integration, and help create more equitable learning opportunities for students. Advancing professionally would allow me to increase my earning potential, strengthen my family’s financial future, and provide my children with opportunities that may not otherwise be available. My education will also allow me to make a broader impact in my community. As an educator and president of the Huisman Sickle Cell Foundation, I am committed to serving students and families who face educational, medical, and financial barriers. I hope to use the leadership, research, and technology skills developed through my doctoral program to design stronger programs, build partnerships, and expand access to resources. I want my children to see that success is not only measured by what we achieve for ourselves, but also by how we use those achievements to help others. This scholarship would help pave the way for a future in which I am better positioned to provide for my family, advance in my profession, and serve my community. It would give me greater financial breathing room while I continue balancing parenthood, work, school, and nonprofit leadership. More importantly, it would affirm that the effort I am making today has value beyond the present moment. Being a single parent and a student is challenging because both roles require my full heart, even when my time and energy feel limited. Still, I remain committed to this journey because I understand what completing this degree will represent. It will be evidence to my children that obstacles can be faced, goals can be delayed without being abandoned, and a better future can be created through faith, perseverance, and education.

Returning to school as an adult has been both rewarding and challenging. Unlike when I first attended college, I am now balancing higher education with a full career, motherhood, community leadership, and the everyday responsibilities of managing a household. Pursuing a doctoral degree at this stage of my life has required me to become more disciplined, intentional, and resilient. One of the greatest challenges has been managing my time. As a high school science teacher, my workday does not always end when the final bell rings. Lesson planning, grading, parent communication, professional responsibilities, and supporting students often extend into my evenings and weekends. At the same time, I am raising two children and making sure they receive the attention, support, and stability they need. I also serve as president of the Huisman Sickle Cell Foundation, which requires time for planning events, assisting families, building partnerships, and raising awareness. Adding doctoral coursework to an already full schedule has meant learning how to prioritize tasks and make productive use of every available moment. Another challenge has been navigating school while caring for a child with sickle cell disease. My child’s diagnosis has included hospitalizations, medical appointments, and periods when my family’s needs had to take priority over everything else. There have been times when I completed assignments while sitting in a hospital room or adjusted my plans because of an unexpected health concern. These experiences have been emotionally and physically exhausting, but they have also strengthened my determination. I have learned that perseverance does not always look like moving forward without interruption. Sometimes, it means adapting, pausing when necessary, and continuing once circumstances allow. The financial cost of returning to school has also been a significant challenge. Tuition, books, technology, and other educational expenses must be balanced with my family's needs. As a working adult, I do not have the flexibility to focus only on school. I must continue working while completing my degree, which can make the process more demanding. Although these financial pressures are stressful, they have made me even more committed to completing my program and making the most of the opportunity. I have also had to overcome moments of self-doubt. Returning to school while managing so many responsibilities can make it easy to question whether the goal is realistic. There are times when exhaustion sets in, and the finish line feels far away. However, I remind myself why I started. I want to grow as an educator, expand my leadership opportunities, and model perseverance for my children and students. I want them to see that education is not limited by age or circumstance and that meaningful goals are still worth pursuing, even when the path is difficult. These challenges have taught me patience, organization, humility, and endurance. They have also shown me that asking for support is not a weakness. I have learned to rely on my faith, family, professional community, and personal sense of purpose. Returning to school has not been easy, but it has been deeply meaningful. Every challenge I have overcome has reinforced my belief that this degree is connected to a larger purpose. I am not only working toward personal advancement. I am preparing to use my education to support students, educators, families, and my community in more impactful ways.

My desire to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector comes from experiencing firsthand how meaningful support can change a family’s life. As the mother of a child diagnosed with sickle cell disease at birth, I quickly learned that managing a chronic illness involves much more than medical appointments. Families may also face emotional stress, missed work, financial hardship, school-related challenges, and the constant responsibility of advocating for their child’s needs. That experience gave me a deeper understanding of the gaps that often exist between available resources and the families who need them most. My personal journey led me to become actively involved with the Huisman Sickle Cell Foundation, where I now serve as president. Through this role, I have found that nonprofit work allows me to transform personal challenges into purposeful service. I am able to use my experiences not only to advocate for my own child, but also to support other individuals and families affected by sickle cell disease throughout the Augusta and Central Savannah River Area. I am drawn to the nonprofit sector because it provides opportunities to address needs that are sometimes overlooked by larger systems. Families managing sickle cell disease may need assistance with groceries, utilities, transportation, housing expenses, hospital stays, or educational advocacy. While these needs may seem separate from healthcare, they directly affect a family’s ability to remain stable and provide consistent care. I want my work to help reduce those burdens so families can focus more of their energy on their health and well-being. Education and awareness are also important parts of the impact I hope to create. Sickle cell disease is often misunderstood, and individuals living with it may encounter stigma, inadequate accommodations, or a lack of knowledge from schools, employers, and the broader community. Through awareness events, partnerships, family resources, scholarships, and outreach programs, I hope to help create a community that is better informed and more responsive to the needs of those affected by the disease. My experience as a high school educator has further shaped the way I approach nonprofit leadership. Teaching has taught me how to communicate with diverse groups, build relationships, organize programs, advocate for individuals, and recognize that people need different forms of support to succeed. It has also strengthened my belief that education is one of the most powerful tools for creating long-term change. I hope to combine my skills in education, technology, and community leadership to expand the foundation’s reach and develop sustainable programs that serve both children and adults. In the future, I hope to build stronger partnerships with schools, healthcare providers, businesses, and community organizations. These partnerships can help increase access to resources, improve educational accommodations for students with sickle cell disease, and provide greater financial and emotional support for families. I also want to help create opportunities for young people affected by sickle cell disease to pursue their educational and career goals without being defined or limited by their diagnosis. For me, nonprofit work is not simply a career path. It is an extension of my values of compassion, faith, advocacy, and service. I want the families we serve to know that they are seen, supported, and not alone. By continuing this work, I hope to help create a stronger, more informed, and more compassionate community where individuals affected by sickle cell disease have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.

My decision to pursue higher education at this stage of my life is rooted in perseverance, service, motherhood, and a strong belief in the power of education. I am not pursuing a doctoral degree because the timing is easy. I am pursuing it because my life experiences have shown me that growth often happens in the middle of responsibility, challenge, and purpose. As a high school science educator, I have spent nearly a decade helping students recognize their potential, often before they can see it for themselves. Teaching has allowed me to witness both the opportunities and inequities within education. Many students face academic, financial, and personal barriers that affect their confidence and achievement. These experiences have strengthened my belief that every student deserves access to engaging instruction, meaningful support, and educators who hold them to high expectations while meeting them where they are. Motherhood has also deeply shaped my journey. Raising my children while building a career and continuing my education has required discipline, sacrifice, and resilience. One of my children was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at birth, which introduced me to the realities of medical advocacy, educational accommodations, and the emotional and financial challenges families may face when caring for a child with a chronic illness. This experience transformed my understanding of service and taught me that advocacy means listening, creating access, and standing beside families during difficult moments. That personal journey led me to serve as president of the Huisman Sickle Cell Foundation, where I help raise awareness and support families affected by sickle cell disease throughout the Augusta and Central Savannah River Area. Through this work, I have seen how education, partnerships, and direct assistance can change lives. Whether helping families meet basic needs, supporting awareness events, or connecting individuals with resources, I have learned that meaningful service must be compassionate, consistent, and responsive. These experiences have shaped my values of faith, integrity, perseverance, compassion, and responsibility. They have also shaped my career goals. I am pursuing a Doctor of Education in Instructional Technology because I want to help schools use technology more effectively and equitably. Technology can improve engagement, personalize learning, support teachers, and expand access, but it must be implemented with purpose. My long-term goal is to serve in an instructional technology leadership role at the school or district level. I want to help educators move beyond simply using digital tools and toward using them intentionally to improve learning. I also hope to support practical, ongoing professional development and help schools make responsible decisions about artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. I plan to use my education to strengthen instruction, mentor educators, promote equitable access, and build stronger connections between schools and communities. I also intend to continue my nonprofit work and advocacy for families affected by sickle cell disease. Receiving this scholarship would reduce the financial burden of completing my doctoral degree while balancing motherhood, teaching, and nonprofit leadership. It would allow me to focus more fully on my studies and professional growth without placing additional strain on my family. More importantly, this scholarship would support work that extends beyond my personal advancement. The knowledge and leadership skills I gain will be used to serve students, educators, families, and my community. My journey has taught me that purpose is often revealed through the challenges we overcome and the people we are called to serve. This degree is not simply another credential. It is a tool I plan to use to create meaningful and lasting change.