Exponential Impact
Vividly, I remember 2nd-grade. Some classmates struggled with the math topics covered in our class. Since it came easy to me, my teacher had me assist those who needed extra help. While guiding them through two-digit subtraction, I patiently described the process. No one could have known how this would impact my future. With over 800 hours of volunteerism in the past few years, I assist others. Knowing I can make an exponential impact, I compassionately serve. Launching a for-profit EdTech tutoring business will support my non-profit that tutors those in underserved populations. Socioeconomic status, race, and ethnicity will not be barriers to the education of those I serve.
In 2nd-grade, it became apparent that the expectation of students keeping the same pace was less than ideal for me. As a 15-year-old graduate, I explore my passions at an accelerated rate. During high school, I earned 88 dual credits and maintained a 4.0 college GPA. In the fall of 2020, the Dallas College Honors Program and STEM League accepted me into their programs. Induction into Mu Alpha Theta and Phi Theta Kappa at 14 was an honor. Earning the bronze, silver, and gold President’s Volunteer Service Awards in 2021 was worthwhile. As an Educators Rising Honor Society member, my focus is clear. Longing to teach upper-level mathematics and oversee my businesses, I will earn my Bachelor’s at 17 and my Master’s at 19. While lofty accomplishments make me stand out, my compassion distinguishes me.
The COVID-19 pandemic impacts everything. During the pandemic, schools closed, forcing students online. While many struggled, those hit hardest were refugee students who came to America in the past few years. After researching, I approached students who, like myself, are pursuing a Congressional Medal. We began virtually tutoring. With 32 volunteers who have served over 2500 hours, tutoring hundreds of newcomers. As the Director of Student Outreach and Engagement, I invest at least 7 hours each week serving students. A school district official said the average refugee in their program speaks only 90-seconds of English each day. These students feel disconnected and unwelcome. In our tutoring, students practice English in a safe environment. Without the fear of ridicule, they advance in their fluency and confidence. My students are gaining an understanding of topics with which they previously struggled. More importantly, they are gaining a sense of dignity and belonging. During these unprecedented times, I assist those who might otherwise go overlooked. The pandemic has highlighted the immense need to tutor struggling students. My business will prioritize underserved populations.
The school district is expecting 1700 more Afghan refugees in the next few months, and we are working hard to do all that we can to support these newcomers. Our team recently met with the Refugee Team from the school district. Unquestionably, they have been preoccupied with the current events happening in Afghanistan, as so many of our refugee students are from that region and still have family living there. Sadly, 29 refugee students from the school district are still trapped in Afghanistan today. While our students’ stories are often discouraging, we encourage them, letting them know we treasure and welcome them. During the worldwide pandemic and the unrest in the home country of many of our refugee students, they need our services now more than ever before. The challenges that my students face break my heart, therefore I have taken and will continue to take action to help alleviate suffering among these people groups.
I first realized the power of AI in education during my College Algebra course. On day one, I completed an assessment. Because of previously acquired knowledge, I skipped 47% of the course's content. This experience helped me realize the immense need for AI in tutoring. AI in education can reduce repetition, ensure mastery, allow students to be self-paced, give students access to intelligent tutoring systems, and make education accessible and affordable to everyone. Utilizing AI in my tutoring company will allow students to flourish.
In my business, students will take an initial assessment that utilizes AI. This assessment will demonstrate the students' current knowledge base. Tutoring only unmastered topics eliminates the repetition of teaching already grasped concepts and will save valuable education hours.
Students sometimes forget. To confirm comprehension, my AI tutoring company will provide knowledge checks. Information students are unable to recall will be retaught.
With over 200 students, teachers cannot provide the attention students deserve. The expectation in the traditional educational setting is that students keep the same pace. This expectation stymies accelerated students and hurts those with delays. Using AI in my non-profit will unleash gifted students and help those with learning difficulties, allowing each student to progress at their own pace.
While traditional tutors are not accessible 24/7, intelligent tutoring systems allow for learning anytime and anywhere.
My company, with the use of AI, will provide equity in education. By fully embracing AI in education, socioeconomic status, race, and ethnicity will not be barriers to learning.
There are countless ways that my EdTech tutoring company could improve life, and these are just a few. I am appreciative of AI in my education and in the tutoring I currently conduct with refugee students. My business will turn this volunteer service into a viable organization that will assist many.
COVID-19 has highlighted the need to embrace the future of AI in education, which my businesses will do. In the next ten years, I will be teaching upper-level mathematics, overseeing my EdTech business, and pouring into underserved populations through my non-profit tutoring and consulting business. It is an honor to be considered for the generous Act Locally Scholarship. Tutoring refugee students confirmed my career choice. My age, drive, and compassion uniquely qualify me for this award. This award will put me one step closer to becoming a teacher, where I will continue to alleviate human suffering through my work with underserved populations. Should I receive this scholarship, your generosity will exponentially expand as I continue pouring into others.