My name is Emily Creger and I am applying for the Elementary Education and Special Education program because I love the idea of educating children and seeing them grow in their potential. Education has always been something that I have enjoyed and over the years I have been able to do a lot of paraprofessional work in the schools helping children with different learning abilities. I have worked with many children who have autism, vision and other disabilities and I have helped them to succeed which makes me want to be a teacher and be able to help even more children. I believe that school is important in all children's life and every student deserves to be in a place where they feel welcome and safe to learn and grow. Going into this career I have learned that working in education is not only about teaching academic subjects but it is also about building friendships, encouraging students and recognizing the achievements of the students no matter how little or big they may be. I believe that being a teacher is one of the best decisions I could have made because I love seeing the faces of the students when they finally understand something that they have struggled on for so long. While going to school, working and having a family I have learned that you have to have determination, grit, and perseverance in order to get what you want out of life. Sometimes life can be difficult and it can be hard to juggle so many things at once but your family will always be there to pick you up and help you through it. I want to be able to show my kids that everything is possible if you only try and that life can be difficult but there are people along side us to help us no matter what. I believe that if I go back to school and get my degree it will show my children that anything is possible if you only try and that education is key in succeeding in life. If I were to recieve this scholarship it would have a great impact on my education as well as my career. This scholarship would give me the opportunity to pay for my education a little more and it would give me the chance to be able to spend more time on my school work and less time worrying about how I am going to pay for it. Also, this scholarship would help me graduate faster than I originally thought which would help me get into the teaching field quicker since there is such a great need for teachers in my area. I would be able to go into the classroom and have a greater impact on the future generation of students who need a good foundation in order to be successful in life. My career goal is to be able to educate children and be able to give them the tools they need in order to be a successful member of society. My goal is to be able to have a classroom full of individuals who all feel welcome and safe in their learning environment no matter what disability or ability they may have so that they will be able to flourish and thrive in the classroom and in the world. I believe that education is what makes a difference in the lives of people and I would like to be able to make a difference in the lives of children.

I am interested in teaching because I want to help kids change their lives for the better. I have been working as a paraprofessional and have had the opportunity to work with many different types of children. I have helped children with autism and with visual disabilities. I have found that I enjoy helping kids learn and grow. I enjoy the joy that they bring when they learn something new or when they overcome a challenge. I know I was born to be a teacher because I enjoy helping them be the best that they can be. I have wanted to be a teacher because I see how students thrive when they have positive relationships in the classroom. Many children need additional help in the classroom or at home. I want to be there to help and support those children. I want to be a resource to them so they know I am here for them I see all students having the ability to learn no matter their circumstance. I believe they need to be given patience and encouragement to reach their highest potential. My mother has been a teacher which inspired me to pursue my dream. When I was growing up, she spent many hours in the classroom getting to know her students and creating lessons so her students could be successful. She spent time with her students to help struggling kids become successful. My mom has shown me that being a teacher is much more than teaching skills and facts; being a teacher is about being able to develop relationships with kids and then nurturing the relationship. Seeing how my mom loved her students inspired me to become a teacher. I hope to impact the children's lives as my mom did for her students. Being in the classroom with such wonderful teachers has helped guide me into my career path. The teachers have taken me in as their own. They have shared their knowledge of teaching with me. I have had the privilege of serving in the classrooms of these teachers. They are patient with their students and me. They have shown me how to be a good teacher. Being around such amazing teachers has helped me find my passion. I will be able to help give students an opportunity for success in the classroom. My students will feel accepted and encouraged to reach their full potential. They will see that mistakes happen but if they do, we will learn from them. My students will learn to work hard and have perseverance in them to be successful. I believe every student can be a winner if they are encouraged and given high expectations. Teachers have the ability to positively impact a child's life each and every day. I want to do that for my students. I want them to grow academically as well as personally.

I want to become a special education teacher because I want all children to have access to education and be able to realize their capabilities. My work as a paraprofessional has taught me that there is nothing more beautiful than seeing some children succeed, regardless of the scale of their achievements. I have had the pleasure of working with many children with autism and visual disabilities, and I want to continue working with students with various disabilities because I want them to be comfortable in my classroom. Harold Bloom’s quotation perfectly describes my view of teaching by stating that the teacher’s role is to bring the student to his or her sense of his or her own presence. I think it is paramount to develop and nurture the student’s sense of self. Their own presence is their ability to understand that they are someone, their ability to think and act, their talents, skills, and their unique role in this world. For children with disabilities, that might be even more challenging, as they might have to overcome a number of additional barriers to gain knowledge and experience. Therefore, the role of a teacher is to bring the student to his or her sense of his or her own presence. I want my students to be confident and independent in my classroom. I would like to create a supportive environment where children feel free to express their opinions and achieve their goals despite any potential barriers to their progress. I would give them individualized attention and try to encourage them to be comfortable with their decisions and actions. I think that collaboration with the parents is also essential in terms of educating children with disabilities because they know their children better than anyone else. Therefore, collaboration is the key to finding the best way to educate a child with special needs. As a special education teacher, I want my children to leave my classroom knowing that they are independent and capable of achieving their goals despite their disabilities. I want them to believe in themselves and their abilities so that they have a chance to lead a complete life and be valuable members of our society. As their teacher, I will strive to create an environment of acceptance of their disabilities while encouraging them to move forward and achieve their goals. Such conditions can be created only if I treat my students patiently, respectfully, and with empathy. Then, and only then, will I be able to instill in them the sense of their own presence and capabilities. This is my view of special education, and this is the reason why I want to become a special education teacher.

During my senior year of high school, I experienced one of the most difficult losses of my life when I lost a close friend to suicide. It was a tragedy that shook me deeply and changed the way I viewed mental health, friendship, and the importance of community support. Before this experience, I had never faced a loss so sudden and heartbreaking. The news left me feeling shocked, confused, and overwhelmed with grief. Like many others who knew my friend, I struggled to understand how someone who seemed so full of life could be hurting so much on the inside. The loss impacted every aspect of my life. School no longer felt the same, and everyday routines became reminders of someone who was no longer there. I found myself replaying memories and conversations, wondering if there were signs I had missed or something I could have done differently. It was difficult to focus on academics and extracurricular activities while carrying the weight of such a painful loss. Many students, including myself, experienced a range of emotions, from sadness and anger to guilt and disbelief. What helped me begin to heal was the way our school community came together in support of one another. Students, teachers, counselors, and families united to honor my friend's memory and help each other through the grieving process. We attended memorial events, shared stories, and openly discussed our feelings. Rather than suffering in silence, we learned the importance of reaching out for support and checking in on one another. The sense of unity that emerged during such a difficult time reminded me that no one should have to face hardship alone. Overcoming the loss did not happen overnight. Healing was a gradual process that required patience, support, and acceptance. I leaned on my family, friends, and trusted adults when I needed encouragement. As time passed, I learned that moving forward did not mean forgetting my friend. Instead, it meant carrying the lessons from their life and memory with me while continuing to grow. I found comfort in knowing that my friend's impact would continue through the lives they touched. This experience taught me several important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. First, I learned that mental health is just as important as physical health and that people may be struggling even when they do not show obvious signs. Second, I learned the value of compassion and empathy. A simple conversation, a kind word, or checking in on someone can make a meaningful difference. Finally, I learned the power of community. Watching my school come together during such a painful time showed me how much strength can be found in supporting one another. Although losing my friend was one of the hardest experiences I have ever faced, it shaped me into a more compassionate, understanding, and resilient person. It inspired me to be more attentive to the needs of others and to advocate for open conversations about mental health. Most importantly, it taught me that even in the face of tremendous loss, healing and hope are possible when people come together. Losing my friend to suicide also played a significant role in shaping my career goals. The experience made me realize how important it is for young people to feel valued, supported, and understood. As I reflected on the loss, I became passionate about becoming an elementary school teacher because I want to help children develop confidence, self-worth, and healthy emotional skills from an early age. I believe that every child deserves to know that they matter and that their feelings are important. By creating a positive and supportive classroom environment, I hope to encourage students to express themselves, build meaningful relationships, and seek help when they need it. While I cannot change what happened to my friend, I can honor their memory by dedicating my career to making a difference in the lives of young children and helping them understand their value from the very beginning. Losing my friend to suicide also played a significant role in shaping my career goals. The experience made me realize how important it is for young people to feel valued, supported, and understood. As I reflected on the loss, I became passionate about becoming an elementary school teacher because I want to help children develop confidence, self-worth, and healthy emotional skills from an early age. I believe that every child deserves to know that they matter and that their feelings are important. By creating a positive and supportive classroom environment, I hope to encourage students to express themselves, build meaningful relationships, and seek help when they need it. While I cannot change what happened to my friend, I can honor their memory by dedicating my career to making a difference in the lives of young children and helping them understand their value from the very beginning.

For my instructional design, I chose the curriculum standard related to identifying the main idea and supporting details in a text. I selected this standard because it is a foundational reading skill that students use across all subject areas. Understanding the main idea helps students comprehend what they are reading, while supporting details help them explain and prove their understanding. This skill is especially important in early and elementary education because it builds the foundation for stronger reading comprehension, critical thinking, and academic success in later grades. The visual elements in my design were intentionally chosen to support student understanding and retention of this concept. I used color theory to create clear distinctions between the main idea and supporting details. For example, the main idea is highlighted in a bold, warm color to draw attention, while supporting details are displayed in cooler, softer tones to show that they are connected but secondary. This color contrast helps students quickly identify key information and organize their thoughts. The layout is structured in a clear and organized way, with the main idea placed at the top or center and supporting details branching below it. This visual organization mirrors how information is connected, making it easier for students to see relationships between ideas. A clean and uncluttered layout reduces cognitive overload, allowing students to focus on understanding the content rather than being distracted by unnecessary visuals. Typography also plays an important role in my design. I used larger, bold fonts for the main idea to emphasize importance, while supporting details are written in a simpler, smaller font. This helps guide students’ attention and reinforces the hierarchy of information. Consistent and readable fonts are especially important for young learners who are still developing their reading skills. Imagery was included to support comprehension by providing visual representations of the text. Pictures help students make connections between words and meaning, especially for visual learners or students who may struggle with reading comprehension. These images serve as cues that reinforce understanding and make the lesson more engaging. Visual learning is critical in modern K-12 classrooms because students learn in a variety of ways, and visual supports help make abstract concepts more concrete. In today’s diverse classrooms, teachers must meet the needs of all learners, including English language learners, students with learning disabilities, and students who benefit from multimodal instruction. Visual tools help bridge gaps in understanding and make learning more accessible. In my current role as a paraprofessional, I also work with a student who is visually impaired. This experience has given me a deeper understanding of how important it is to design instruction that is accessible and inclusive for all learners. It has taught me to be more intentional about how information is presented and to consider alternative ways for students to engage with content. This experience has strengthened my belief that all students deserve equal access to learning, regardless of their abilities. Overall, my design strategy combines color, layout, typography, and imagery to support comprehension and retention of the main idea and supporting details. By using visual learning strategies, I aim to create an inclusive and effective learning experience that meets the needs of all students.

Playing softball has been one of the most meaningful experiences in shaping who I am today. Being part of a team taught me the importance of commitment, perseverance, and supporting others. As the team captain and first baseman, I learned how to lead with my voice—encouraging my teammates, communicating on the field, and helping keep everyone focused and motivated during both wins and losses. This role pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow into a more confident and responsible person. For a long time, I felt overlooked and unsure of where I truly belonged. I wasn’t always given the same recognition or opportunities as others, which made me question my abilities. However, everything changed when I found my permanent team. For the first time, I felt valued, supported, and truly seen. That experience had a lasting impact on me because it showed me how important it is to feel included and appreciated. It gave me a sense of belonging that I had been missing for so long. Through my role as team captain, I realized that leadership is not just about being in charge, but about lifting others up. I made it a priority to ensure that every teammate felt heard, encouraged, and important. Whether it was cheering someone on after a mistake or celebrating their success, I wanted everyone to feel like they mattered. Playing first base also taught me to stay alert, communicate constantly, and be dependable for my team, which strengthened my leadership skills even more. The challenges I faced both on and off the field taught me resilience and determination. There were tough games, difficult practices, and moments of self-doubt, but I learned how to push through and keep going. My coaches and teammates played a huge role in inspiring me. They showed me the importance of hard work, discipline, and believing in myself, even when things felt difficult. These experiences have shaped not only my character but also my future goals. As I pursue a career in education, I want to create an environment where every child feels loved, welcomed, and included. I never want a student to feel overlooked the way I once did. Instead, I want to be the teacher who recognizes each student’s strengths, encourages their growth, and helps them find their place. Softball has taught me lessons that go far beyond the field. It has shown me the power of teamwork, the importance of leadership, and the impact of making others feel valued. I will carry these lessons with me into my future, using my experiences to positively impact others and build a community where everyone feels like they belong.

I am passionate about the special education teaching profession because it allows me to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students who often need additional support, patience, and understanding. Every child learns differently, and I believe it is my responsibility to meet students where they are and help them grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Working with students with special needs requires compassion, creativity, and dedication, and I am passionate about creating an environment where all students feel valued, capable, and included. Professor Harold Bloom’s statement, “the purpose of teaching is to bring the student to his or her sense of his or her own presence,” can be understood as helping students recognize their own identity, voice, and value in the world. It means guiding students to become aware of who they are, what they can do, and how they contribute to their learning and environment. For students with special needs, this is especially important because they may struggle with confidence or feel overlooked. Helping them experience their own presence means empowering them to believe in themselves and recognize their strengths. My mission as a special education teacher is to create a supportive and inclusive classroom where students feel safe to express themselves and take risks in their learning. I would guide my students toward experiencing a sense of their own presence by building strong relationships with them and understanding their individual needs, interests, and abilities. By doing this, I can tailor instruction to help them succeed and feel confident in their progress. I would also use differentiated instruction and hands-on learning strategies to ensure that each student can access the curriculum in a way that works best for them. Providing choices in assignments and encouraging student voice allows them to take ownership of their learning. Additionally, I would celebrate small achievements to help build their confidence and reinforce their sense of capability. Social and emotional learning would play a key role in my classroom. Teaching students how to express their feelings, advocate for themselves, and interact positively with others helps them develop a stronger sense of identity and belonging. I would also incorporate opportunities for reflection, where students can recognize their growth and understand their own learning journey. Ultimately, my goal is to help students not only succeed academically but also to understand their worth and potential. By guiding them to experience their own presence, I am helping them build the confidence and skills they need to navigate the world beyond the classroom.

My goal is to become an elementary school teacher and create an inclusive classroom where every student feels valued, supported, and capable of success. I am especially passionate about inclusion because I believe all students regardless of their abilities or backgrounds deserve equal opportunities to learn and grow. I want my future classroom to be a safe and welcoming environment where differences are respected and celebrated. My number one goal as an elementary school teacher is for my students to all feel supportive. But for my students to also support each other. This is extremely important to me for all students to understand that everyone is as equal as one another and that it is a good thing to be inclusive. My past and present experiences have strongly prepared me to accomplish these goals. Currently, I work as a paraprofessional in an elementary school, where I work one-on-one with students of many different needs. This experience has given me firsthand knowledge of differentiated instruction, patience, and the importance of individualized support. I have learned how to adapt lessons, communicate clearly, and advocate for students who may need extra encouragement. Working closely with classroom teachers has also helped me understand effective classroom management and instructional strategies. In the future, I plan to continue building my skills through further education and professional development. My hands-on experience, combined with my commitment to inclusion and growth, makes me confident that I will successfully achieve my goal of becoming an elementary teacher who makes a meaningful difference. I believe I meet the qualifications for this scholarship through my dedication to academic achievement, leadership, and community involvement. I have consistently worked hard to maintain strong scholastic performance while balancing multiple responsibilities. In addition to my regular commitments, I take online classes to further pursue my goal of becoming an elementary school teacher. Managing online coursework requires discipline, time management, and self-motivation, all of which demonstrate my commitment to academic success. My role as a one-on-one paraprofessional in an elementary school has also strengthened my leadership skills. Working individually with students, especially those with special needs, requires patience, initiative, and the ability to guide and support others. I serve as a positive role model by encouraging students, helping them build confidence, and advocating for their needs within the classroom. Leadership is not only about directing others, but also about serving and uplifting those around you, which I strive to do daily. Through my work in the school community and my continued educational efforts, I actively contribute to a positive learning environment. My academic dedication, leadership through service, and involvement in education demonstrate that I am a strong candidate for this scholarship.

I am interested in pursuing a career in teaching because I believe education has the power to change lives. Teachers do much more than deliver lessons from a textbook—they help shape confidence, character, and future opportunities. I have always admired the impact that teachers can have on their students, not just academically but personally. I want to be someone who encourages students to believe in themselves, push through challenges, and discover their strengths. Teaching offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference every single day, and that sense of purpose is what draws me to this profession. Another reason I am passionate about teaching is my commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment. I believe every student deserves to feel safe, respected, and valued in the classroom. Students come from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, and those differences should be recognized as strengths. I want to create a classroom community built on kindness, empathy, and mutual respect, where all students feel comfortable asking questions and expressing themselves. Knowing that I could help students feel seen and heard motivates me to pursue this path. I also want to teach because I genuinely enjoy helping others learn. There is something incredibly rewarding about explaining a concept in a way that finally “clicks” for someone. Watching a student grow in confidence after understanding something they once struggled with is powerful. I want to be part of those moments and help guide students through both their academic and personal development. One of the biggest reasons I feel called to teaching is because of a teacher who changed my life. During a time when I struggled with self-confidence and doubted my abilities, this teacher consistently believed in me—even when I did not believe in myself. They took the time to offer extra help, listened when I needed someone to talk to, and encouraged me to challenge myself academically. What stood out most was that they treated every student with patience and respect. They created a classroom environment where mistakes were seen as part of learning, not something to be embarrassed about. Because of that teacher, I began to see my potential differently. Their encouragement helped me gain confidence not only in that subject but in myself overall. They showed me that one caring adult can truly influence a student’s future. That experience inspired me to want to be that kind of teacher for someone else. I want to be the person who recognizes a student’s potential before they see it themselves. Pursuing a career in teaching is not just about having a job; it is about answering a calling to serve, support, and inspire others. I am motivated by the opportunity to create an inclusive classroom, build strong relationships, and help students grow into confident, capable individuals. I hope to make the same kind of lasting impact on my future students that my teacher made on me.