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Kelsey Bailey

235

Bold Points

1x

Finalist

Education

Indiana University-Bloomington

Bachelor's degree program
2024 - 2026
  • Majors:
    • Education, General
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Education

    • Dream career goals:

      Sports

      Volleyball

      Varsity
      2013 – 20229 years
      RonranGlee Special Needs Teacher Literary Scholarship
      I'm passionate about being a special education teacher because I believe in the power of education to transform lives. Every student deserves the opportunity to learn and grow, regardless of their challenges or abilities. As a special education teacher, I have the privilege of supporting students who may face additional obstacles in their learning journey. Being able to make a positive impact on their lives, helping them overcome barriers, discover their strengths, and achieve their full potential, is incredibly rewarding to me. I'm driven by the opportunity to create a supportive and inclusive environment where every student feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. Seeing the progress and growth of my students, witnessing their moments of success and self-discovery, fuels my passion for this profession. I'm inspired by their resilience, determination, and unique perspectives, and I'm committed to advocating for their needs and providing them with the tools and resources they need to thrive. Ultimately, being a special education teacher allows me to make a difference in the lives of my students and contribute to building a more inclusive and equitable society. Professor Bloom's words remind us that teaching is more than just transferring knowledge; it's about helping students understand themselves and their place in the world. For me, as a special education teacher, this means guiding my students with special needs to discover their strengths and build confidence in themselves. The journey toward self-awareness and confidence for my students involves overcoming various challenges, whether they're physical, cognitive, or emotional. My mission is to create a warm and welcoming classroom where every student feels valued and empowered to explore their abilities. To make this happen, I use a range of teaching methods tailored to each student's needs. I prioritize building trust and connections with my students, creating a safe space where they feel comfortable expressing themselves and taking risks in their learning. Recognizing that each student learns differently, I adapt my teaching approach to suit their unique styles and abilities. This might involve using visual aids, hands-on activities, or technology to help them engage with the material. Encouraging self-expression is key to boosting my students' confidence and self-esteem. Whether it's through art, music, or storytelling, I provide opportunities for them to share their talents and perspectives with others. I also empower my students to become more independent learners, gradually guiding them to take ownership of their learning journey. I support them along the way and encourage them to advocate for themselves and seek help when needed. Celebrating my students' achievements, big or small, is essential for boosting their sense of accomplishment and self-worth. By highlighting their strengths and successes, I aim to instill a deep sense of pride and confidence in their abilities. Ultimately, my goal as a special education teacher is to guide my students on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. I want to equip them with the skills and resilience they need to navigate the world confidently, with a strong sense of their own presence and worth.
      Marjorie Moriole Early Childhood Education Scholarship
      As a teacher, I plan to engage my students and spark their love for learning by using a variety of creative methods that cater to their different interests and learning styles. Hands-On Activities: Learning by doing is very effective, especially for young students. I will include hands-on activities and experiments in my lessons to make abstract concepts more tangible. For example, in a math lesson about geometry, we could use building blocks or clay to construct different shapes and structures. This hands-on activity would help students understand geometric concepts better and allow them to see and feel the shapes they are learning about, making the lesson more engaging and memorable. Interactive Technology: Technology can be a powerful classroom tool. I will use educational apps, interactive whiteboards, and online resources to create engaging lessons. Virtual field trips can take students to different parts of the world or historical periods, making learning more vivid and memorable. Creative Arts Integration: Including the arts in teaching helps students express their understanding in creative ways. They could write and perform a play about a historical event, create artwork related to a book, or compose a song about a math concept. This makes learning fun and helps students develop various skills. Project-Based Learning: I will encourage project-based learning, where students work on extended projects that require critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity. For example, students might plan and run a classroom market day. They would learn about money, budgeting, and basic economics in math, create advertisements in art, and write about their products in language arts. This method helps students take ownership of their learning and see how their studies apply in real-world situations. Gamification: Turning learning into a game can greatly increase student engagement. I will use educational games and competitions to motivate students. For instance, we might have math challenges where students earn points for solving problems or reading races to see who can read the most books. These activities make learning exciting and encourage healthy competition. Flexible Seating and Learning Environments: The classroom environment can impact student engagement. I will create a flexible classroom with different seating options and learning stations, allowing students to choose where they work best and fostering independence. For example, we might have a cozy reading corner with bean bags, a collaborative table for group work, and individual desks for focused tasks. Real-World Connections: Making learning relevant to students' lives is crucial. I will connect lessons to real-world scenarios and invite guest speakers from different professions to explain how they use what we are learning in their jobs. This helps students see the value of their education beyond the classroom. Student Choice and Voice: Giving students a say in their learning can increase their investment in the process. I will offer choices in assignments and projects, allowing students to explore topics that interest them. I will also regularly seek their feedback on what is working and what could be improved, ensuring they feel heard and respected. By combining these creative approaches, I aim to create a classroom environment that is not only educational but also exciting and inspiring. My goal is to foster a lifelong love of learning in my students and help them develop the skills they need to succeed in all areas of life.
      Jeanne Kramme Fouke Scholarship for Future Teachers
      I want to be a teacher because I love education and want to make a positive impact on young lives. From a young age, I've been fascinated by learning and how education can change people and communities. Teaching lets me be part of that change, shaping the minds and futures of my students. One big reason I want to teach is to inspire and motivate students. I believe every child has unique talents and potential, and as a teacher, I can help them discover and develop these qualities. Seeing a child’s excitement when they understand something new or achieve a goal is incredibly rewarding. I want to be the kind of teacher who helps students believe in themselves. I also want to teach because it allows me to contribute to the community. Education is the foundation of a strong society, and by teaching, I can help build that foundation. I aim to create a classroom that is inclusive, supportive, and stimulating, where every student feels valued and encouraged to express themselves. By fostering a love of learning, I hope to help my students become active and engaged members of their communities. I'm passionate about teaching because of the relationships I can build with students. Teaching isn’t just about sharing knowledge; it’s about connecting with students, understanding their needs, and supporting their growth. I want to be a mentor and role model, someone students can trust and look up to. These relationships can have a lasting impact on a child’s life, and I am committed to making a positive difference. Moreover, teaching gives me the chance to be creative. Every day in the classroom presents new challenges and opportunities to think outside the box. Whether it's designing an engaging lesson plan, coming up with innovative ways to explain complex concepts, or finding new methods to keep students motivated, teaching requires constant creativity. This aspect of the job excites me and drives me to continuously improve my skills. Lastly, I want to teach because it offers continuous learning and growth. Education is always changing, and I’m excited about the opportunities for professional development and lifelong learning. By keeping up with new teaching strategies, technologies, and educational research, I can continually improve and give my students the best education possible. Attending workshops, pursuing advanced degrees, and collaborating with other educators are all ways I plan to grow professionally. In addition to professional growth, teaching allows for personal growth. It challenges me to be patient, adaptable, and resilient. Every student is different, and learning to meet their varied needs helps me grow as a person. It teaches me empathy and strengthens my communication skills, both of which are valuable in all areas of life. In summary, I want to be a teacher because I’m passionate about inspiring students, contributing to the community, building meaningful relationships, and engaging in lifelong learning. I’m committed to making a positive impact on my students’ lives and helping them reach their full potential. Teaching isn’t just a job for me; it’s a calling and a way to make a lasting difference in the world.
      Sandy Jenkins Excellence in Early Childhood Education Scholarship
      I'm really passionate about early childhood education because I believe it sets kids up for a lifetime of success. Those first few years are super important for how kids develop their thinking, emotions, and social skills. As someone who wants to become an early childhood educator, I'm all in on giving kids the best start possible, nurturing their natural curiosity and love for learning. One big reason I'm so into early childhood education is because it's a real game-changer for the future. Research shows that what happens in a kid's brain during those early years can shape how they learn and grow later on. So, by giving kids lots of fun and interesting things to do and learn during this time, we can help them do well in school and feel good about themselves. Plus, early childhood is a time of awesome growth and discovery. Little ones are like sponges, soaking up everything around them, which is why I'm excited about becoming an educator. Creating a safe and fun environment for kids to explore and learn through play, discovery, and hands-on activities is not only rewarding but also essential for their development. Witnessing the lightbulb moments when kids figure things out for themselves is truly amazing and fuels my passion for early childhood education. I'm also super passionate about early childhood education because it's a chance to really help kids with their social skills and emotions. During these early years, kids start to learn things like sharing, being kind, and understanding how others feel. As a teacher, I want to create a warm and welcoming classroom where every kid feels valued and supported, helping them grow into confident and caring individuals. We need to make sure that every kid has the same chances from the start. Unfortunately, not all children, especially those from low-income families, get these opportunities early on. But if we give all kids great early childhood education, it can help them succeed. That's why I'm all for pushing for policies and programs that ensure every child, regardless of where they come from, can access high-quality early education. In a nutshell, I'm super passionate about early childhood education because it's a time of incredible growth and potential. By giving kids the right support and opportunities early on, we can help them succeed in school and in life. As I work towards becoming an early childhood educator, my goal is to create a welcoming and supportive environment where every child can thrive and reach their full potential.