Not having a college degree has always bothered me. There are jobs I am either qualified for or overqualified for, and the one thing stopping me is a degree. For a long time, that feeling sat quietly in the background. However, the final decision came after taking a course for work. It made me realize I wanted to know more and do more to help the children and families we serve. Without a second thought, I applied and was accepted. That moment felt like the beginning of something I had been putting off for years. Still, the reality of going back to school has not been easy. Being a mom, a grandmother, a full-time worker, and a student all at once comes with challenges. There are days when I don’t get enough sleep, miss deadlines, or feel like I didn’t give my best effort. Those moments can be discouraging, but they do not define my journey. What keeps me going is knowing why I started. I am not just doing this for myself, I am doing it for my family and for the future I want to build. My children are watching me, and I want them to see what perseverance looks like. I want them to understand that it is never too late to chase their goals, even when life becomes overwhelming. I don’t want them to think that struggle is where their story has to end. Returning to school has also strengthened my purpose. The more I learn, the more I see how much impact I can make, especially when working with children who need extra support. I want to be someone who not only teaches but also advocates for those who may not always have a voice. Education is giving me the tools to turn my passion into something meaningful and lasting. This journey is not perfect, but it is necessary. Every late night, every moment of doubt, and every obstacle is part of something bigger. I am proving to myself and to my family that growth is possible, no matter where you start. Earning my degree is more than a personal achievement; it is a step toward stability, purpose, and creating a better future for the generations that come after me. And that is something worth working for every single day. If chosen for the scholarship, I can finish my degree and become an early intervention specialist. This will allow me to show my children and grandchildren what it looks like to follow your dreams and help as many children and families as I can.

My passion for early childhood education comes from moments that seem small but mean everything. I remember watching my student struggle to complete a puzzle. I had become a near obsession, but day after day, they would come back with the same puzzle, wanting nothing more than for me to watch them solve it themselves. As I sat watching and wanting to show them how to make the pieces fit, I had to sit back and wait. One day, just as I thought they were going to give up and ask for help, they got the piece into the slot and completed the puzzle. The look of pure joy on their face was something I will never forget. To outsiders, it was just a puzzle, but to us, it was a moment of discovery. Experiences like that are why I am passionate about this field. I have learned that every child evolves at their own pace and sometimes all they need is someone patient enough to give them the time and space to succeed. Being that person is something I take seriously. I want to be an early childhood educator to create more of these moments. In early childhood education, people often see teaching as helping children learn basic skills, but it is so much more than that. It is about being present for the exact moment a child discovers something new about the world—and about themselves. It is about understanding that what looks small to others is actually a huge step in a child’s development. Experiences like that are why I am passionate about this field. I have learned that every child develops at their own pace, and sometimes all they need is someone patient enough to give them the time and space to succeed. Being that person is something I take seriously. I want to be an early childhood educator to create more of those moments. I want to be there when a child says a word for the first time, solves a problem on their own, or realizes they are capable of something they once struggled with. Those moments build confidence that carries into every part of their life. Early childhood education is not just about teaching; it is about shaping how children see themselves as learners. It is about building a foundation of confidence, curiosity, and resilience. When a child believes in themselves early on, it changes everything. That is why I am passionate about early childhood education. Because in those quiet, powerful moments of discovery, I am not just watching children learn, I am watching them become who they are meant to be.

In 2023, after being laid off from a job that felt like it was going nowhere, I found myself stepping into a classroom by chance. I accepted a position at a daycare center, convincing myself it would only be temporary—just something to get me by until I found something better. But what I didn’t expect was that something better had already found me. From my very first days, I realized these were not just “typical” children. These were children with special needs; children who required more patience, more care, and more understanding than most people are willing to give. They were the children who were often overlooked, misunderstood, or labeled before anyone took the time to see them for who they truly are. And somehow, in a space where many might have seen difficulty, I saw purpose. My workplace is one of the few centers in our area that privately serves children with special needs. Each day I showed up, I built connections that went far beyond teaching basic skills. I celebrated small victories that others might miss, a new word spoken, a moment of eye contact, a step toward independence. Those moments stayed with me. They mattered. The children mattered. Through this experience, I earned my Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, but more importantly, I discovered a calling. When the class ended, my curiosity didn’t. I wanted to learn more, do more, and be more for these children. I began to understand that what they need most is someone who refuses to give up on them, someone who believes in their potential even on their hardest days. There is something powerful about being trusted by a child who struggles to trust the world. Something is life-changing about watching a child accomplish something they once couldn’t do. Those moments don’t just impact them; they transform me. I want to become a special education teacher because I refuse to let these children feel unseen. I want to be the person who meets them where they are and walks beside them every step of the way. I want to advocate for them, support their families, and create a space where they are not just accommodated, but celebrated. These children are not burdens. They are not “less than.” They are full of potential, joy, and purpose. They are blessings. What started as a temporary job became something much deeper: my purpose. And I am committed to turning that purpose into a lifelong career of making sure every child, no matter their challenges, feels valued, capable, and loved.

Higher education is more than a personal goal for me; it is a tool I need to become the kind of educator and advocate I once needed for my own children. I am not pursuing education to earn a degree, but to gain the knowledge, confidence, and credentials necessary to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and families. I plan to use my degrees in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education to become an early intervention specialist, supporting children during the most critical stages of development. My goal is to work closely with families to identify needs early and provide meaningful, effective support that sets a strong foundation for lifelong learning. As I continue in this field, I plan to pursue a master's degree in Applied Behavioral Analysis to deepen my ability to support children with diverse needs and empower families with the knowledge and confidence to advocate for their children. The knowledge and skills I gain through higher education will allow me to be more than just a teacher; I will be an informed advocate. There was a time when my own children needed stronger support within the school system, and I did not yet have the understanding to advocate for them fully. That experience shaped my purpose. It showed me how imprtant it is for children to have someone who not only cares, but also understnads how to navigate edcuation asystmes and access the right resourses . Higher education will give me the tools to be that person for other families. In my current role as an infant and toddler teacher, I already see how much early experiences matter. Children begin developing their sense of trust, confidence, and communication from the very start. Being in school allows me to connect what I am learning directly to my work, strengthening the way I support the children in my care. I am becoming more intentional in how I respond to their needs, encourage their development, and create an environment where they feel safe, valued, and heard. My impact will extend beyond the classroom. I plan to use my education to support families, especially those who may feel unsure of how to advocate for their children. I understand what it feels like to want to help but not know where to start because I want to be a resource for parents. Someone who can provide guidance, share knowledge, and help them feel confident in their role when families are informed and supported helps children benefit in ways that reach far beyond the classroom. The positive impact I hope to create is both immediate and long-term. In the short term, it will be seen in the children I work with who feel supported, understood, and encouraged to express themselves. In the long term, it will be reflected in stronger families and more informed communities. By helping children find the service early and empowering parents to advocate for them, I hope to contribute to a more inclusive and responsive education system. Higher education is the foundation that will allow me to turn my experiences into meaningful change. It is now just about earning a degree, but about gaining the knowledge and confidence to make a difference. My journey has shown me the importance of growing resilience and davocay, and I am committed to helping others as I learn to create a lasting impact on one child, family, and step at a time.

Some people are inspired to teach by a favorite teacher or moment in the classroom that felt like magic. My path to education was different. I was inspired by silence, the kind that settles in when a child is not being heard. As a single mother and now grandmother, I have spent most of my life caring for children, guiding them, and doing my best to help them grow into who they are meant to be. However, when my own children entered the education system, I realized something I was not prepared for. There were moments when they needed someone to speak up for them, to advocate for their needs, and to ensure their voices were not overlooked. At the time, I did not have the knowledge or confidence to do that effectively. I watched as their voice became quieter in spacesin spaces where they should have been supported the most. That experience stayed with me. However, it did not discourage me; it redirected me. Today, I am an infant and toddler teacher as well as a college student working toward a career in education. Every day in the classroom, I see how early experiences shape a child's sense of self. The smallest interaction, responding to a cry, encouraging a first word, or validating a feeling, can determine whether a child feels safe, valued, and heard. I have come to understand that advocacy does not begin in middle school or high school; it begins in infancy. It begins with educators who recognize that every child, no matter how young, has a voice worth listening to. My experience has given me a perspective that I plan to carry into every classroom that I enter. I do not see children as passive learners; I see them as individuals with thoughts, emotions, and needs that deserve recognition. I want to create environments where children feel safe expressing themselves, where their differences are respected, and where their voices are encouraged rather than overlooked. Just as importantly, I want to support families, especially those who may feel unsure or unhelped, so they do not experience what I once did. I understand what it feels like to sit in a meeting and not know what questions to ask or what rights your child has. Because of that, I want to be an educator who not only teaches but also empowers parents. Inspiring others is not about grand speeches or perfect moments; it's about consistency. It's about showing up every day and proving to children that they matter. It is about modeling resilience, especially for students who may come from challenging backgrounds. When they see someone who has faced difficulties, taken a different path, and still pursued education with determination, they begin to believe that they can do the same. My story is not one of perfection, but one of growth. I have learned through experience, reflection, and willingness to change. I realized I could do better. That is the message I hope to pass on to my students: your past does not define your future, and your voice is powerful even if it takes time to find it.