Olivia Rodrigo’s song “hope ur ok” stands out to me because it reminds me that everyone has a story, and you never really know what someone else is going through. That is something I have learned throughout my own life, especially as I have gotten older and started thinking about the kind of person and teacher I want to become. Growing up, I moved several times during elementary school. Each move meant starting over, meeting new people, and trying to find my place in a new classroom. While those transitions were not always easy, they taught me how important it is to feel welcomed and accepted. The teachers who took the time to get to know me and made me feel like I belonged made those changes much easier. I am now a sophomore at the University of Central Missouri, majoring in Early Childhood Education. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was little, when I lined up my dolls and pretended to have my own classroom. Through the A+ program, cadet teaching in a first-grade classroom, and working as a para in a special education classroom, I have had opportunities to see how much of a difference a caring adult can make. Those experiences have made me even more certain that I want to work with children. What I take from “hope ur ok” is the reminder to look beyond what you see on the surface. A student might seem quiet, have trouble making friends, or struggle in class, but there may be things happening in their life that others do not know about. I want to be the teacher who notices those students, takes the time to understand them, and makes sure they know they matter. I cannot fix every problem a child may face, but I can make my classroom a place where they feel safe, supported, and encouraged. My journey has not been perfect, but the challenges I have experienced have helped shape my goals. I am proud to be working toward a career that means so much to me, and I hope to use what I have learned to help children feel less alone. If I can make even one student feel the way my favorite teachers made me feel, I will know I am making a difference. To me, that is what matters most: remembering that every person has a story and choosing to show kindness even when you do not know the whole thing.

My plan for the future is to graduate from the University of Central Missouri with a degree in Early Childhood Education and become an elementary school teacher. Teaching has been my dream since I was little, when I would line up my dolls and pretend I had my own classroom. Now that I am in college and working toward that goal, I am excited to see that dream becoming a reality. Throughout high school, I had several opportunities to work with children through the A+ program, cadet teaching in a first-grade classroom, and working as a para in a special education classroom. Each experience made me more confident that teaching is what I want to do. I enjoyed helping students learn, encouraging them when they struggled, and seeing their excitement when they accomplished something new. These experiences also showed me that every child learns differently, and I want to be a teacher who finds ways to help each student succeed. One of my biggest goals is to create a classroom where students feel welcome, supported, and excited to learn. When I was in elementary school, I moved several times and had to adjust to new schools and friendships. The teachers who made the biggest difference were the ones who took the time to get to know me and helped me feel like I belonged. My fifth-grade teacher especially influenced the kind of educator I hope to become. She made learning fun and made her students feel important. I want to give my future students that same feeling and be a teacher they remember for the positive impact she had on their lives. Receiving this scholarship would help me with the financial costs of earning my degree, including tuition, books, and other college expenses. As a college student, these costs can add up quickly, and financial assistance would help ease some of that stress. It would allow me to focus more on my classes, gain experience in classrooms, and take advantage of opportunities that will help prepare me for my career. I know that becoming a good teacher takes hard work, patience, and a willingness to keep learning. I am committed to putting in that work because I know how important teachers can be in a child's life. This scholarship would help me continue working toward a career I have wanted for as long as I can remember. I hope that one day I can make the same kind of difference for my students that my own teachers made for me.

Going to college means a lot to me because I am finally working toward something I have dreamed about since I was little. I used to line up my dolls and pretend I had my own classroom, and now I am a sophomore at the University of Central Missouri majoring in Early Childhood Education. It is exciting to know that I am taking real steps toward becoming a teacher and doing something I have always wanted to do. My experiences throughout high school helped me realize that teaching was the right path for me. Through the A+ program, I spent time in elementary classrooms during the summers. My senior year, I was a cadet teacher in a first-grade classroom, and the summer after graduation, I worked as a para in a special education classroom. These experiences showed me how much I enjoy working with children and helping them learn. They also helped me see that being a teacher is about more than teaching lessons. It is about being patient, encouraging students when they struggle, and helping them see what they are capable of. My own experiences as a student are another reason I want to become a teacher. I moved several times during elementary school, which meant having to get used to new schools, make new friends, and adjust to different teachers. The teachers who made those transitions easier were the ones who took the time to get to know me and made me feel welcome. My fifth-grade teacher, who passed away that year, had a particularly big impact on me. Losing her was incredibly difficult, but the way she made her students feel important and excited about learning has stayed with me. She helped me understand how much a teacher can influence a child's life, even beyond the classroom. As I continue my education at UCM, I want to learn as much as I can about how children grow, learn, and develop. I hope to become a teacher who finds creative ways to engage students and makes learning something they look forward to. I also want to create a classroom where students feel comfortable making mistakes, asking questions, and being themselves. I know that every child comes from a different background and learns in a different way, and I want to be the kind of teacher who takes the time to understand what each student needs. Going to college is helping me turn my childhood dream into a career, but it also means preparing myself to make a difference in children's lives. For me, earning my degree is the beginning of a career that I hope will positively impact students for years to come.

My brief experience as a college student has been incredibly fulfilling. UCM's supportive environment has allowed me to explore my academic interests and grow both personally and professionally. One of the best parts of starting college has been joining Alpha Omicron Pi. I wanted a place where I could feel connected and joining a sorority has given me a strong support system and a group of girls who motivate me to be my best. I grew up in a single-parent household and that has shaped who I am today. It has taught me to appreciate the people who support me and to understand the importance of working hard for the things I want. My experiences have also helped me realize that everyone has their own struggles, even if you cannot see them. I am currently majoring in Early Childhood Education. I’m passionate about making a difference in children’s lives. My life goal is to become the kind of teacher who makes students feel seen, valued, and capable. I want to create a classroom where learning feels exciting and where every child feels they belong. My own experiences as a student are a big part of why I want to teach. I moved several times, so I had to adjust to new schools, classmates, and teachers. The teachers who made the biggest difference were the ones who took the time to get to know me and made me feel welcome. The way a teacher treats a student can stay with them for the rest of their life and the impact goes far beyond the lessons taught in a classroom. I want my classroom to be a place where students feel comfortable being themselves, asking questions, making mistakes, and trying again. I especially want to support children who may be dealing with changes or challenges outside of school. I know how much it matters to have someone in your corner, and I want my students to know they have someone who believes in them. I am hardworking, dedicated, and driven. I’ve always balanced school, extracurricular activities, and jobs while staying committed to my education. I’m responsible, motivated, and passionate about my future career. Receiving a scholarship would not only support my educational goals, but it would also allow me to focus even more on becoming the best teacher I can be.

Growing up in a single-parent household has shaped the person I am today. It has taught me the importance of hard work, perseverance, and appreciating the people who support you along the way. I have learned that life does not always go as planned, but that does not mean you cannot work toward your goals. When I was younger I never realized the sacrifices my mom made to make sure that my sister and I could do all the things we wanted to do. As I've gotten older I know that nothing comes easy in life and I also know I am privileged to have a mom who worked hard for me because not everyone does. My experiences have also helped me understand that everyone has a story that you may not know just by looking at them. You never know what someone is going through at home or what challenges they may be facing outside of what you see. As I work towards my goal of becoming a teacher, I plan to use these lessons to make a difference in the lives of children. I want to be a teacher who makes students feel safe, supported, and excited to come to school. Because of my parents divorce, I moved several times during elementary school, which meant I had to constantly adjust to new classrooms, new friends, and new teachers. Some transitions were easier than others, but in looking back what stands out to me was how much of a difference a good teacher made. The teachers who made me feel welcome, took time to develop a relationship with me, and believed in me made those moves so much easier. Because of that, I realized how powerful a teacher’s impact can be. I know that not every child has the same experiences or support system at home, and I want my classroom to be a place where every student feels valued. I want my students to know that their circumstances do not define them and that they have people who believe in them. When I think about my future, I want to use my strengths to help others, whether that is through teaching, supporting families, or being someone people can turn to when they need help. Growing up in a single-parent household has helped me understand the value of support, determination, and kindness, and I hope to pass those things on to others throughout my life.

My educational goal is to get my degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Central Missouri and become an elementary school teacher. Teaching has been something I have wanted to do for as long as I can remember, and now that I am in college working toward that goal, I am even more excited about the future. I want to learn as much as I can about how children learn and develop so I can be the best teacher possible for my future students. My experiences through the A+ program, cadet teaching in a first-grade classroom, and working as a para in a special education classroom have already taught me how important patience, flexibility, and building relationships are when working with children. While earning my degree, I continue to take advantage of opportunities to gain experience in classrooms, learn from other educators, and find ways to make learning meaningful for all students. I want to continue building those skills throughout college so I feel prepared to step into my own classroom after graduation. I also want to become the kind of teacher who makes a lasting difference in students' lives. I know from my own experiences that school can be challenging, especially when life outside the classroom is changing. My younger years as a student were not always easy. I moved several times during elementary school, which meant I had to constantly adjust to new classrooms, new friends, and new teachers. Some transitions were easier than others, but in looking back what stands out to me was how much of a difference a good teacher made. The teachers who made me feel welcome, took time to develop a relationship with me, and believed in me made those moves so much easier. Because of that, I realized how powerful a teacher’s impact can be. I want to give my future students that same support while helping them build confidence in themselves and their abilities. I believe I can make a positive impact on the world through teaching because I know how it feels to need that one adult who believes in you. I’ve lived it and I want to be that person for my future students. A scholarship would help me focus fully on becoming the educator I’ve dreamed of being since the days of teaching lessons to my dolls. I’m committed, passionate, and ready to work hard so I can one day make the kind of difference that so many teachers made in my life. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was a little girl playing school with my dolls, and I am proud to be taking steps toward making that dream a reality. I know becoming a good teacher takes hard work, dedication, and a willingness to keep learning. This scholarship would be an investment in my education and my future, and I would be grateful for the opportunity to use it as I continue working toward a career that I know will be meaningful to me. This financial support would help ease some of that burden and allow me to focus more of my time and energy on my education and gaining experience that will prepare me for my career.

I’ve always known I wanted to be a teacher, even before I really understood what a career was. Growing up, I lined up my dolls and pretended I had my own classroom. I have always loved being around children and helping them learn new things. Throughout high school, I spent part of my summers in elementary classrooms through the A+ program, served as a cadet teacher in a first-grade classroom through the Teacher Educator Program my senior year, and worked as a para in a special education classroom during the summer. These experiences helped me realize how much I enjoy encouraging students, helping them overcome challenges, and watching them grow. I believe one of the best ways to get students excited about learning is to make lessons hands-on, creative, and connected to their interests. Children learn in different ways, so I want to find ways to reach each student instead of expecting every child to learn the same way. Whether that means using games, art, movement, literature, or activities that allow students to explore things for themselves, I want my classroom to be a place where students look forward to learning. I want students to feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and always trying. My own experiences as a student have also shaped the kind of teacher I want to become. I moved several times during elementary school, which meant constantly adjusting to new classrooms, friends, and teachers. Looking back, the teachers who made those transitions easier were the ones who took the time to get to know me, made me feel welcome, and showed me they believed in me. I also lost my fifth-grade teacher, who made school feel safe and exciting. She made her students feel important, and her kindness and enthusiasm left a lasting impact on me. Because of her, I understand that getting students excited about learning starts with building relationships and creating a classroom where they feel like they belong. My mom, who is also an educator, has been another major influence on me. Growing up, I saw the time, patience, and effort she put into her students. I saw how much she cared about them and how rewarding it was for her to watch them succeed. Now, as a sophomore at the University of Central Missouri majoring in Early Childhood Education, I am excited to learn more about how children grow and develop and how I can use that knowledge to become a better teacher. Ultimately, I want my students to leave my classroom feeling proud of what they have learned and excited about what comes next. I want them to know that learning is not just about getting the right answer but also about being curious, trying new things, and discovering what they are capable of doing. Most importantly, I want every student to feel seen, supported, and encouraged to reach their potential. I know from my own life how much a teacher can influence a student, and I hope to create the kind of classroom that students remember for all the right reasons.

I am passionate about early childhood education because I enjoy working with children and helping them learn and grow. There is something special about watching young children discover new things for the first time. Whether they are learning their letters, making a new friend, or figuring out how to do something on their own, it is rewarding to be a part of those moments. My interest in early childhood education comes from seeing how much children learn during their early years. At a young age, children are developing skills that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. They are learning how to communicate, solve problems, work with others, and build confidence in themselves. I believe having caring and supportive adults around them during this time can make a big difference. I enjoy being someone children can look up to and trust. Every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and encouraged. Sometimes all it takes is a little patience, kindness, or positive encouragement to help a child believe in themselves. I want to be the kind of teacher who helps children feel confident and excited about learning. What I like most about working with children is that every day is different. Young children are curious, creative, and full of energy. They ask questions, share their ideas, and see the world in unique ways. Being around that excitement makes the work enjoyable and keeps me motivated. Even small accomplishments, like helping a child learn a new skill or overcome a challenge, can make a big impact. I also understand that early childhood educators do much more than teach basic academic skills. They help children learn how to interact with others, manage emotions, and develop important social skills. These lessons are just as important as learning numbers and letters because they help children succeed both inside and outside the classroom. My goal is to create a positive environment where children feel comfortable being themselves and are excited to learn. I want to help them build confidence, develop strong relationships, and enjoy coming to school each day. Knowing that I can play a role in helping children grow and succeed is what makes me passionate about this field. Early childhood education is important to me because it allows me to make a difference in the lives of children during some of their most important years. I look forward to helping young learners reach their potential and creating positive experiences that they can carry with them as they continue to grow.

Substance abuse has been a part of my life, and choosing to stay sober has been one of the hardest but most important decisions I have ever made. There was a time when I wasn't making the best choices, and those choices affected my life in ways I didn't fully understand at the time. Looking back, I can see how substance use got in the way of my goals, my relationships, and my ability to be the person I wanted to be. The biggest thing that motivates me to stay sober is the life I want for myself. When I was using substances, I felt like I was stuck. I wasn't moving forward, and I wasn't focused on my future. Since becoming sober, I've been able to think more clearly and make better decisions. I've learned that the future I want is only possible if I continue making healthy choices every day. My family and friends are also a huge source of motivation. The people who care about me have supported me through difficult times, and I don't take that support for granted. Staying sober allows me to be present for the people I love and to continue rebuilding trust. Knowing that others believe in me gives me strength when I face challenges. Staying sober does not mean life is perfect. I still experience stress, disappointment, and difficult situations. The difference now is that I face those challenges instead of trying to avoid them. I've learned healthier ways to cope, such as talking with people I trust, staying focused on school and work, and finding positive activities to keep me busy. These habits help me stay grounded and remind me why I chose this path. One of the most important lessons I've learned is that recovery is a daily commitment. Every day I choose sobriety is a day that I invest in myself and my future. There are moments when it would be easier to fall back into old habits, but I remind myself how far I have come and how much I have to lose. Today, I am proud of my progress. My past experiences have taught me valuable lessons about responsibility, perseverance, and personal growth. While substance abuse is part of my story, it does not define me. What defines me is my commitment to change and my determination to keep moving forward. Staying sober has given me the opportunity to build a healthier, more stable, and more meaningful life, and that is what continues to motivate me every day.

I’ve always known I wanted to be a teacher, even before I really understood what a “career” was. Growing up, I used to line up my dolls pretending I had my own classroom and play school. I’ve always loved being around children and helping them learn new things. Throughout my high school years I spent part of my summer in elementary classrooms through the A+ program, my senior year I was a cadet teacher in a 1st grade class through the teacher educator program, and the summer after graduation I was a para in a special education class. Those experiences showed me how much I enjoy encouraging others and watching them grow, and helped me realize that teaching is the career where I can make the biggest difference. Although those were all great experiences, my younger years as a student were not always easy. I moved several times during elementary school, which meant I had to constantly adjust to new classrooms, new friends, and new teachers. Some transitions were easier than others, but in looking back what stands out to me was how much of a difference a good teacher made. The teachers who made me feel welcome, took time to develop a relationship with me, and believed in me made those moves so much easier. Because of that, I realized how powerful a teacher’s impact can be. One moment that changed me forever was losing my 5th grade teacher. She was one of the teachers who made school feel safe and exciting for me, and her passing was devastating. She was the kind of teacher who made every student feel seen and important, and she created a classroom where learning felt fun. Her kindness, her enthusiasm, and the way she believed in us didn’t go away just because she wasn’t there anymore. This showed me how the way a teacher treats their students can stick with them forever. I want to give my students the same feeling of belonging and support that she gave me. Another big influence in my life has been my mom. Growing up with an educator for a parent meant I got to see the behind-the-scenes part of being an educator—the late nights, the classroom stories, the bond she had with her students. I watched her pour so much love and patience into her work, and seeing the difference she made in children made me want that even more. Now I’m a freshman at the University of Central Missouri, majoring in Early Childhood Education. Being here has only made me more excited about my future. I’ve joined a sorority, gotten involved on campus, and started building the foundation for the kind of teacher I want to become. My goal is to create a classroom where every child feels supported, understood, and encouraged, especially the ones going through tough transitions like I did. I believe I can make a positive impact on the world through teaching because I know how it feels to need that one adult who believes in you. I’ve lived it and I want to be that person for my future students. A scholarship would help me focus fully on becoming the educator I’ve dreamed of being since the days of teaching lessons to my dolls. I’m committed, passionate, and ready to work hard so I can one day make the kind of difference that so many teachers made in my life.