It is an understatement to say that balancing work and motherhood is difficult. It is the most rigorous challenge any mother can undertake. It is also the most rewarding challenge any mother can undertake. My own personal journey as a mother and a teacher has seen both the rewards and the challenges. Looking back over the years, I can pinpoint one challenging motherhood experience that has led to my most significant career opportunity. When my middle daughter was in elementary school, I noticed her struggling with spelling and writing. I wanted to help her but even with all my knowledge as a reading specialist, I wasn’t able to help her as much as I desired. Her struggles in school were a challenge but the even bigger challenge was finding the help we needed. I didn’t know of anyone to turn to for information or help. After months of my own research and conversations with others, I was able to find someone to assess my daughter. The outcome was a diagnosis of dyslexia. With this diagnosis, my daughter could finally get the support she needed from outside therapy and from school. Now she is a successful high school student. So much of my daughter’s journey has inspired my career path. Dyslexia is a misunderstood and intimidating diagnosis. Parents do not understand it nor do they know where to turn if their child is struggling with reading, writing or spelling. My daughter’s journey with dyslexia has motivated and inspired me to help families going through this same journey. I desire to be the safe place families can turn to for help, support and understanding. Even though I know juggling a career, family and classes is difficult, I am excited to start a new journey this summer to become a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT). A CALT is certified to help dyslexic students. To receive CALT certification, I will take two structured literacy classes during the next two summers along with fourteen Saturday sessions over the next two years. I will also need to complete seven hundred practicum hours and take a final exam for official certification. Once those requirements are completed, I will be able to provide dyslexia therapy to students. I am so excited to one day be able to provide services to families and students who need knowledgeable support and guidance. Through these courses, I will not only receive the knowledge to help dyslexics, I will also receive a specific curriculum and materials. I can use these materials to help students in my own therapy services and in my classroom at school. So many students at my school are not diagnosed or given help until they have struggled through many years of schooling. Students should not have to struggle so long before they receive the proper help. I am beyond ready to help support students and teachers with a specially designed curriculum. Receipt of this scholarship will provide me with the financial aid I need so I can help others in need. All the courses I am taking are paid for out of my own pocket and the price is equivalent to receiving a master’s degree. Any help I receive is so appreciated as it helps grow my vision of seeing all kids read and my vision of eventually opening my own private therapy. I would love to one day offer scholarships just like this to students who need help learning to read and write but cannot afford the cost of outside therapy. Thank you so much for your consideration.