As a single mother, educator, and first-generation college graduate, my motivation for pursuing higher education is deeply rooted in love, a desire to uphold my legacy, and a commitment to social justice. I am preparing to begin my Doctorate in Educational Leadership, not just for career advancement, but to disrupt inequitable systems in education and to lead with empathy, vision, and lived experience. My journey has never been a solo one. When I was completing my master’s degree, there were times when my daughter had to accompany me to class, quietly sitting in the back, coloring or reading while I took notes and participated in discussions. She observed me pushing through exhaustion, working long hours, and still showing up fully present for both my studies and for her. Those challenging moments are now some of my proudest because she didn’t just hear me say that education matters, she saw it. Now, as I prepare to start my doctoral program and she embarks on her college journey in the next two years, I find myself navigating not just one educational path, but two. The financial strain is significant. As a single-income household, I am managing my tuition, living expenses, and the emotional labor of parenthood, all while planning for the cost of my daughter’s college education. We often discuss her dreams and the possibilities ahead of her. I want her to step boldly into her future, without the weight of student debt. To achieve this, I need support not just in spirit, but also through tangible resources. This scholarship would significantly alleviate the financial burden I carry. It would allow me to focus more intentionally on my doctoral research, which will examine the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on the academic outcomes and behavior of African American students. I aim to develop trauma-informed, equity-centered practices that support, not penalize, students from under-resourced communities. I want to be a voice in education reform that is grounded in experience, not just theory. I currently serve students at both the elementary and college levels. My dual role as a K–12 teacher and adjunct professor enables me to uplift young learners and shape the educators of tomorrow. My lived experience as a single mother provides me with a unique perspective, one rooted in compassion, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to equity. I am especially deserving of this award because I am pursuing higher education not only for myself but also to create generational change. I am doing it to model perseverance for my daughter. I am also working to reshape classrooms, campuses, and policies so they honor every child's potential. I carry the weight of both our futures with pride, and with the support of this scholarship, I will be able to take it with even greater strength.

My journey started in 2009 in my living room, where my daughter was my first student. From the moment she was born, I wanted to nurture her growth. As she grew, I became aware of the role I played in shaping her mind. I read to her every evening, with her favorite book being “Please, Baby. Please, Spike Lee. I taught her letters, explored nature together, visited the local library weekly, and toured every museum in the Bay Area by the age of 5. As I became more involved in my daughter's school, volunteering in the classroom, joining parent committees, and supporting school-wide events, I began to notice patterns. I observed students who reminded me of my daughter, who were being overlooked. I witnessed these disparities and the treatment of children based on the color of their skin and their family's economic status. These experiences motivated me to take action, so I decided to return to school to earn my teaching credential and Master’s degree. Today, I am proud to teach at both the lower elementary level and in higher education. In my elementary classroom, I understand that every child is someone's entire world. I meet my students where they are, honor their stories, and design instruction that reflects their brilliance, rather than just their deficits. My classroom is a joyful, rigorous, culturally responsive, and loving environment. I know from experience how powerful those early years are in shaping a child’s self-image, and I consider it a sacred responsibility to make the most of those years, infusing them with joy and love. In higher education, I teach future teachers. I hold space for their growth while also challenging them to think deeply about equity, trauma, and systemic injustice in schools. I use my experiences as a mother, teacher, and advocate to help them see beyond textbooks and theory. I teach them what it means to show up for kids, to hold high expectations with deep empathy, and to understand teaching not just as a job, but as a form of social justice. One of the most meaningful ways I plan to inspire others is through mentorship. I know how isolating it can be for teachers of color to navigate systems that weren’t built with us in mind. I’ve been the only Black woman in staff meetings. I’ve had my voice dismissed or my passion mistaken for aggression. I’ve fought through burnout while carrying the weight of my students’ trauma on my shoulders. I want to be the mentor. I wish I had someone who affirms, empowers, and uplifts. This role of mentorship is crucial in providing support and guidance to those who need it most. I aim to bridge the gap between policy, theory, and practice, as well as between families and schools, and between educators and the communities they serve. I strive to create environments where educators feel empowered and motivated to meet every child with compassion and cultural sensitivity. My journey began with love. It has evolved into advocacy, and it continues today as a mission to teach, inspire, and transform education from the inside out. This is why I have decided to pursue a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership.

My journey started in 2009 in my living room, where my daughter was my first student. From the moment she was born, I wanted to nurture her growth. As she grew, I became aware of my role in shaping her mind. I read to her every evening, and her favorite book is “Please, Baby. Please, Spike Lee. I taught her letters, explored nature together, visited the local library weekly, and toured every museum in the Bay Area by age 5. I noticed patterns as I became more involved in my daughter's school, volunteering in the classroom, joining parent committees, and supporting school-wide events. I observed students who reminded me of my daughter being overlooked. I witnessed these disparities and the treatment of children based on the color of their skin and their family's economic status. These experiences motivated me to take action, so I returned to school to earn my teaching credential and Master’s degree. Today, I am proud to teach at the lower elementary level and higher education. In my elementary classroom, I understand that every child is someone's entire world. I meet my students where they are, honor their stories, and design instruction that reflects their brilliance, rather than just their deficits. My classroom is a joyful, rigorous, culturally responsive, and loving environment. I know from experience how powerful those early years are in shaping a child’s self-image, and I consider it a sacred responsibility to make the most of those years, infusing them with joy and love. In higher education, I teach future teachers. I hold space for their growth while challenging them to think deeply about equity, trauma, and systemic injustice in schools. I use my experiences as a mother, teacher, and advocate to help them see beyond textbooks and theory. I teach them what it means to show up for kids, to hold high expectations with deep empathy, and to understand teaching not just as a job, but as a form of social justice. One of the most meaningful ways I plan to inspire others is through mentorship. I know how isolating it can be for teachers of color to navigate systems that weren’t built with us in mind. I’ve been the only Black woman in staff meetings. I’ve had my voice dismissed or my passion mistaken for aggression. I’ve fought through burnout while carrying the weight of my students’ trauma on my shoulders. I want to be the mentor. I wish I had someone who affirms, empowers, and uplifts. This role of mentorship is crucial in supporting and guiding those who need it most. I aim to bridge the gap between policy, theory, and practice, as well as between families and schools, and between educators and the communities they serve. I strive to create environments where educators feel empowered and motivated to meet every child with compassion and cultural sensitivity. My journey began with love. It has evolved into advocacy and continues today as a mission to teach, inspire, and transform education from the inside out. This is why I have decided to pursue a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership.