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