"A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others,” (Mustafa Kemal Ataturk). An educator is not just a profession, it is a beacon of hope, imagination, discipline, love, courage, and the future. Being a teacher requires someone to have a deep passion for guiding future leaders, politicians, doctors, engineers, and biologists. This list is endless. My name is Morgan Towles, and I am from Louisville, Kentucky. I am proudly a part of the beloved class at Asbury University. I am an incoming sophomore pursuing an elementary education major with hopes of being a kindergarten, first, or second-grade teacher. I am passionate about creating relationships with my students that are life-changing, creating a safe space for students, and an environment that is fun and challenging, I deserve this scholarship because I have the qualities of creativity and leadership. I have always had this dream of becoming a teacher. I remember the days when I was a child when I would come home from school and teach my stuffed animals. I would use my pointer, point to a blank wall, and recite all the things I learned at school that day. I even remember teaching my "class" about photosynthesis. I also remember when I would participate in my school's career day. I would have all the teacher's needs on. I had my fake glasses, lanyard, formal outfit, and even an apple. I was so excited to dress up and show everyone my teacher's outfit. My dream sparked more when I came to Asbury. When I was placed in my first clinical my first year, I was placed under Mrs. Combs. She taught a challenging 2nd grade class. Over 80% of the school is economically disadvantaged and 18 out of 30 students in that class had accommodations. Just to name a few: English language Learners, IEP, 504 plans, anger management issues, growth disorder, single parent homes, autism, oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety disorder, adopted, transgender, weekly therapy, history of trauma, divorced parents, EPO against father, major injuries, and many more. There was even one child who was homeless. Through these challenges, Mrs. Combs did not let it stop her from being the best educator she could be. It pushed and motivated her to become better. She handled everything with grace, humility, and patience. She had grace with the student who could not sleep the night before because of their home life. She was full of humility when she would lay down her own needs to meet her student's needs. She had patience when students burst out in anger and were behind academically. She cultivated an environment of love, kindness, and stability. She made sure the kids felt safe and could express their true selves. Teachers like Mrs. Combs are the teachers that will pave the way to education. As the world is becoming darker and darker, teachers need to take a stand and be a lighthouse in the classroom. Mrs. Combs motivated my passion for learning. It has made me realize that I strive to be an educator that creates a safe place. This first requires me to build relationships with my students. My prayer for my classroom is that it would be a lighthouse for students who are struggling to keep themselves above the waves. I want students to feel like they can express their true selves. Some students might come from a rough home life, but I hope that they look forward to coming into my classroom where they can feel loved. It will help me humble myself and be light to my students, who are the future. I want to be a teacher who changes lives. I want to be a teacher where my students learn not just the curriculum but the significant skills needed to improve the world. There is no better time to be a teacher who changes lives in this generation. Good teachers are crucial in creating an environment of love that this world so desperately needs. In the next 3 years of college, I hope to gain even more skills that I will have to offer to the education system. Asbury University's education system will help prepare me to be the best educator. I hope to be a part of a great movement that will improve education and change many students' lives. This scholarship will help grant me access to more education needed to prepare and equip me to be the best teacher I can be. Being a first-generation college student and educator is a wonderful opportunity. I have had this dream ever since I was little to be a teacher. However, having the funds to achieve this dream is challenging. This scholarship will help me to receive the education I need to be an unforgettable teacher that changes lives.

Anxiety is defined by the feeling of worry and uneasiness about an uncertain outcome. This has crippled my life for the last few years. I constantly worried about an outcome that was not visible. If I did not know the outcome, I would go into a state of fear. Every single day I felt the weight of anxiety on my shoulders. I felt as if I was trapped and tangled in chains that were impossible to break loose from. Day after day I gave fear control over my life. I bowed down to it, almost making it an idol. It all started before my senior year of high school. I would constantly worry about my health. I would check my pulse every few seconds, and if it did not seem right, I would panic. I would start getting pains in my chest and it was hard for me to breathe. I was so afraid I was having a heart attack that I went to the emergency room. The doctors said I was fine, but I convinced myself that there was something wrong with me. This time of fearing about my heart led me to worry about other things in my body. Even if there was a small pain somewhere, I thought I was dying. When I continued to worry about my health, it led to anxiety about school, volleyball, and ministry. Going into college last year, I was just coming back from an ACL injury. The weight of being a first-year student and being a student-athlete, made way for anxiety to shine itself more. Finally, out of all the chaos and panic attacks, I could not take it anymore. I was in a state of fear everywhere I went. I wanted so badly to be set free from anxiety. I questioned God, day after day. “Why would he put me through this, when I am doing everything to live life that pleases him?” However, I realized that God is still merciful and loving despite this. I knew that God loved me so much that he was taking the season of anxiety to reveal things in me that I needed to get rid of. He is such a loving God that he gave me a chance to get rid of things that were hindering me from drawing closer to him. I still do not understand why I God was using the dark moments to create something beautiful. God was using this as a refining process to grow, reshape, and redefine my faith and my perspective. The season of anxiety was meant to bring me down, but I am so grateful that God used it for his glory. He took what was meant for evil, and he turned for good. I began to trust and surrender to Jesus more. It pushed me to not rely on my thoughts. It pushed me to not be in control of my future when it was the thing I was so used to doing. This season where I went through the process of my first injury, going through college for the first time, and leaning into the calling God has for my life was a mark in my journey with the Lord. The love of Jesus is so great, that it is willing to test and try me to become more like him. Isn’t that amazing? As I spent more time with the Lord, I became intentional about goals and relationships. I began to make healthy goals for myself. I made goals to resist those anxious thoughts and focus on something more fulfilling than that. Recently, I have been spending more time with those that encourage me. I am persistent about finding things that I can find joy in. This takes my mind off all the negative and replaces it with something positive. From this experience with anxiety, my mind has become a lot stronger. Taking the initiative to better myself has built my character and endurance. Also, anxiety has helped me be intentional about who I spend my time with, which has allowed me to create new relationships that have been so amazing. Furthermore, anxiety has prepared me for my career aspirations. Becoming a teacher is a scary thing, especially in this world today. Never knowing the struggles with certain students or even the safety of your school. I believe this season helped me prepare for these upcoming times. I know that I am called to be a teacher, and everything after that the Lord will take care of. If someone were to ask me if I had the opportunity to never go through that season again, would I take it? I would say no. My story and experience with this mental struggle was difficult beyond all measure, but it helped me to become a better version of myself. Without this season in my life, my character would not have grown. I am proud to say what anxiety meant for evil, the Lord turned it around for my good.

Anxiety is defined by the feeling of worry and uneasiness about an uncertain outcome. This has crippled my life for the last few years. I constantly worried about an outcome that was not visible. If I did not know the outcome, I would go into a state of fear. Every single day I felt the weight of anxiety on my shoulders. I felt as if I was trapped and tangled in chains that were impossible to break loose from. Day after day I gave fear control over my life. I bowed down to it, almost making it an idol. It all started before my senior year of high school. I would constantly worry about my health. I would check my pulse every few seconds, and if it did not seem right, I would panic. I would start getting pains in my chest and it was hard for me to breathe. I was so afraid I was having a heart attack that I went to the emergency room. The doctors said I was fine, but I convinced myself that there was something wrong with me. This time of fearing about my heart led me to worry about other things in my body. Even if there was a small pain somewhere, I thought I was dying. When I continued to worry about my health, it led to anxiety about school, volleyball, and ministry. Going into college last year, I was just coming back from an ACL injury. The weight of being a first-year student and being a student-athlete, made way for anxiety to shine itself more. Finally, out of all the chaos and panic attacks, I could not take it anymore. I was in a state of fear everywhere I went. I wanted so badly to be set free from anxiety. I questioned God, day after day. “Why would he put me through this, when I am doing everything to live life that pleases him?” However, I realized that God is still merciful and loving despite this. I knew that God loved me so much that he was taking the season of anxiety to reveal things in me that I needed to get rid of. He is such a loving God that he gave me a chance to get rid of things that were hindering me from drawing closer to him. I still do not understand why I God was using the dark moments to create something beautiful. God was using this as a refining process to grow, reshape, and redefine my faith and my perspective. The season of anxiety was meant to bring me down, but I am so grateful that God used it for his glory. He took what was meant for evil, and he turned for good. I began to trust and surrender to Jesus more. It pushed me to not rely on my thoughts. It pushed me to not be in control of my future when it was the thing I was so used to doing. This season where I went through the process of my first injury, going through college for the first time, and leaning into the calling God has for my life was a mark in my journey with the Lord. The love of Jesus is so great, that it is willing to test and try me to become more like him. Isn’t that amazing? As I spent more time with the Lord, I became intentional about goals and relationships. I began to make healthy goals for myself. I made goals to resist those anxious thoughts and focus on something more fulfilling than that. Recently, I have been spending more time with those that encourage me. I am persistent about finding things that I can find joy in. This takes my mind off all the negative and replaces it with something positive. From this experience with anxiety, my mind has become a lot stronger. Taking the initiative to better myself has built my character and endurance. Also, anxiety has helped me be intentional about who I spend my time with, which has allowed me to create new relationships that have been so amazing. Furthermore, anxiety has changed my understanding of the world. I always questioned why there was evil in the world. Why do some people struggle with mental health, but others have the freedom to not go through that? I am grateful that my relationship with the Lord has helped with understand that. I have come to realize that there will always be evil in the world. But during that evil, there is joy and hope that can be obtained. I am glad those things are available to everyone. Humanity can find joy and hope even in chaos. If someone were to ask me if I had the opportunity to never go through that season again, would I take it? I would say no. My story and experience with this mental struggle was difficult beyond all measure, but it helped me to become a better version of myself. Without this season in my life, my character would not have grown. I am proud to say what anxiety meant for evil, the Lord turned it around for my good.

"A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others,” (Mustafa Kemal Ataturk). An educator is not just a profession, it is a beacon of hope, imagination, discipline, love, courage, and the future. Being a teacher requires someone to have a deep passion for guiding future leaders, politicians, doctors, engineers, and biologists. This list is endless. My name is Morgan Towles, and I am from Louisville, Kentucky. I am proudly a part of the beloved class at Asbury University. I am an elementary education major with hopes of being a kindergarten, first, or second-grade teacher. I am passionate about creating relationships with my students that are life changing, creating a safe space for students, and an environment that is fun and challenging, I deserve this scholarship because I have the qualities of creativity and leadership. Teachers are needed to shape the minds of children, which is critical in this world of darkness. That is why I desire to be a teacher. I want to be a teacher who changes lives. I want to be a teacher where my students learn not just the curriculum but the significant skills needed to improve the world. Moreover, I strive to be an educator that creates a safe place. This first requires me to build relationships with my students. My prayer for my classroom is that it would be a lighthouse for students who are struggling to keep themselves above the waves. I want students to feel like they can express their true selves. Some students might come from a rough home life, but I hope that they look forward to coming into my classroom where they can feel loved. It will help me humble myself and be light to my students, who are the future. Furthermore, building relationships creates an environment of trust. I want to create stable relationships with my students, but it is also crucial that I am respected and feared in my classroom. It is crucial that my students feel challenged not just with the curriculum they are learning, but in life skills as well. I also have the quality of being a great leader. I have the skills to take risks and challenge my students and future colleagues. I can be a leader in having the motivation to explore and try new ideas. I also have the skill to be a leader in communicating effectively which is crucial in communication with parents, students, and colleagues. Adding on to this, I have the creativity and imagination to spark an interest in learning. My creativity can play a huge role in preparing lesson plans my students enjoy doing. There will be no repetitiveness. No day will be the same in my classroom. Students will explore learning in a variety of ways. In the next 3 years of college, I hope to gain even more skills that I will have to offer to the education system. I hope to be a part of a great movement that will improve education and change many students' lives. This scholarship will help grant me access to more education needed to prepare and equip me to be the best teacher I can be. Being a first-generation college student and educator is a wonderful opportunity. I have had this dream ever since I was little to be a teacher. However, having the funds to achieve this dream is challenging. This scholarship will help me to receive the education I need to be an unforgettable teacher.

"A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others,” (Mustafa Kemal Ataturk). An educator is not just a profession, it is a beacon of hope, imagination, discipline, love, courage, and the future. I have always had this dream of becoming a teacher. I remember the days when I was a child when I would come home from school and teach my stuffed animals. I would use my pointer, point to a blank wall, and recite all the things I learned at school that day. I even remember teaching my "class" about photosynthesis. I also remember when I would participate in my school's career day. I would have all the teacher's needs on. I had my fake glasses, lanyard, formal outfit, and even an apple. I was so excited to dress up and show everyone my teacher's outfit. My dream sparked more when I came to Asbury. When I was placed in my first clinical my first year, I was placed under Mrs. Combs. She taught a challenging 2nd grade class. Over 80% of the school is economically disadvantaged and 18 out of 30 students in that class had accommodations. Just to name a few: English language Learners, IEP, 504 plans, anger management issues, growth disorder, autism, oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety disorder, adopted, transgender, history of trauma, EPO against father, and many more. There was even one child who was homeless. Through these challenges, Mrs. Combs did not let it stop her from being the best educator she could be. It pushed her to become better. She handled everything with grace, humility, and patience. She had grace with the student who could not sleep the night before because of their home life. She was full of humility when she would lay down her own needs to meet her students'. She had patience when students burst out in anger and were behind academically. She cultivated an environment of love, kindness, and stability. She made sure the kids felt safe and could express their true selves. Teachers like Mrs. Combs are the teachers that will pave the way to education. As the world is becoming darker and darker, teachers need to take a stand and be a lighthouse in the classroom. Mrs. Combs motivated my passion for learning. It has made me realize that I strive to be an educator that creates a safe place. This first requires me to build relationships with my students. My prayer for my classroom is that it would be a lighthouse for students who are struggling to keep themselves above the waves. I want students to feel like they can express their true selves. Some students might come from a rough home life, but my hope is that they look forward to coming into my classroom where they can feel loved. I want to be a teacher who changes lives. I want to be a teacher where my students learn not just the curriculum, but significant skills needed to make the world a better place. In the next 3 years of college, I hope to gain even more skills that I will have to offer to the education system. I hope to be a part of a great movement that will improve education and change many students' lives. Being a first-generation college student and educator is a wonderful opportunity. I have had this dream ever since I was little to be a teacher. However, having the funds to achieve this dream is challenging. This scholarship will help me to receive the education I need to be an unforgettable teacher.

"A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others,” (Mustafa Kemal Ataturk). An educator is not just a profession, it is a beacon of hope, imagination, discipline, love, courage, and the future. I have always had this dream of becoming a teacher. I remember the days when I was a child when I would come home from school and teach my stuffed animals. I would use my pointer, point to a blank wall, and recite all the things I learned at school that day. I even remember teaching my "class" about photosynthesis. I also remember when I would participate in my school's career day. I would have all the teacher's needs on. I had my fake glasses, lanyard, formal outfit, and even an apple. I was so excited to dress up and show everyone my teacher's outfit. My dream sparked more when I came to Asbury. When I was placed in my first clinical my first year, I was placed under Mrs. Combs. She taught a challenging 2nd grade class. Over 80% of the school is economically disadvantaged and 18 out of 30 students in that class had accommodations. Just to name a few: English language Learners, IEP, 504 plans, anger management issues, growth disorder, autism, oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety disorder, adopted, transgender, history of trauma, EPO against father, and many more. There was even one child who was homeless. Through these challenges, Mrs. Combs did not let it stop her from being the best educator she could be. It pushed her to become better. She handled everything with grace, humility, and patience. She had grace with the student who could not sleep the night before because of their home life. She was full of humility when she would lay down her own needs to meet her students'. She had patience when students burst out in anger and were behind academically. She cultivated an environment of love, kindness, and stability. She made sure the kids felt safe and could express their true selves. Teachers like Mrs. Combs are the teachers that will pave the way to education. As the world is becoming darker and darker, teachers need to take a stand and be a lighthouse in the classroom. Mrs. Combs motivated my passion for learning. It has made me realize that I strive to be an educator that creates a safe place. This first requires me to build relationships with my students. My prayer for my classroom is that it would be a lighthouse for students who are struggling to keep themselves above the waves. I want students to feel like they can express their true selves. Some students might come from a rough home life, but I hope that they look forward to coming into my classroom where they can feel loved. I want to be a teacher who changes lives. I want to be a teacher where my students learn not just the curriculum but the significant skills needed to improve the world. In the next 3 years of college, I hope to gain even more skills that I will have to offer to the education system. I hope to be a part of a great movement that will improve education and change many students' lives. Being a first-generation college student and educator is a wonderful opportunity. I have had this dream ever since I was little to be a teacher. However, having the funds to achieve this dream is challenging. This scholarship will help me to receive the education I need to be an unforgettable teacher.

"A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others,” (Mustafa Kemal Ataturk). An educator is not just a profession, it is a beacon of hope, imagination, discipline, love, courage, and the future. I have always had this dream of becoming a teacher. I remember the days when I was a child when I would come home from school and teach my stuffed animals. I would use my pointer, point to a blank wall, and recite all the things I learned at school that day. I even remember teaching my "class" about photosynthesis. I also remember when I would participate in my school's career day. I would have all the teacher's needs on. I had my fake glasses, lanyard, formal outfit, and even an apple. I was so excited to dress up and show everyone my teacher's outfit. My dream sparked more when I came to Asbury. When I was placed in my first clinical my first year, I was placed under Mrs. Combs. She taught a challenging 2nd grade class. Over 80% of the school is economically disadvantaged and 18 out of 30 students in that class had accommodations. Just to name a few: English language Learners, IEP, 504 plans, anger management issues, growth disorder, autism, oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety disorder, adopted, transgender, history of trauma, EPO against father, and many more. There was even one child who was homeless. Through these challenges, Mrs. Combs did not let it stop her from being the best educator she could be. It pushed her to become better. She handled everything with grace, humility, and patience. She had grace with the student who could not sleep the night before because of their home life. She was full of humility when she would lay down her own needs to meet her students'. She had patience when students burst out in anger and were behind academically. She cultivated an environment of love, kindness, and stability. She made sure the kids felt safe and could express their true selves. Teachers like Mrs. Combs are the teachers that will pave the way to education. As the world is becoming darker and darker, teachers need to take a stand and be a lighthouse in the classroom. Mrs. Combs motivated my passion for learning. It has made me realize that I strive to be an educator that creates a safe place. This first requires me to build relationships with my students. My prayer for my classroom is that it would be a lighthouse for students who are struggling to keep themselves above the waves. I want students to feel like they can express their true selves. Some students might come from a rough home life, but I hope that they look forward to coming into my classroom where they can feel loved. I want to be a teacher who changes lives. I want to be a teacher where my students learn not just the curriculum but the significant skills needed to improve the world. In the next 3 years of college, I hope to gain even more skills that I will have to offer to the education system. I hope to be a part of a great movement that will improve education and change many students' lives. Being a first-generation college student and educator is a wonderful opportunity. I have had this dream ever since I was little to be a teacher. However, having the funds to achieve this dream is challenging. This scholarship will help me to receive the education I need to be an unforgettable teacher.

"A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others,” (Mustafa Kemal Ataturk). An educator is not just a profession, it is a beacon of hope, imagination, discipline, love, courage, and the future. I have always had this dream of becoming a teacher. I remember the days when I was a child when I would come home from school and teach my stuffed animals. I would use my pointer, point to a blank wall, and recite all the things I learned at school that day. I even remember teaching my "class" about photosynthesis. I also remember when I would participate in my school's career day. I would have all the teacher's needs on. I had my fake glasses, lanyard, formal outfit, and even an apple. I was so excited to dress up and show everyone my teacher's outfit. My dream sparked more when I came to Asbury. When I was placed in my first clinical my first year, I was placed under Mrs. Combs. She taught a challenging 2nd grade class. Over 80% of the school is economically disadvantaged and 18 out of 30 students in that class had accommodations. Just to name a few: English language Learners, IEP, 504 plans, anger management issues, growth disorder, autism, oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety disorder, adopted, transgender, history of trauma, EPO against father, and many more. There was even one child who was homeless. Through these challenges, Mrs. Combs did not let it stop her from being the best educator she could be. It pushed her to become better. She handled everything with grace, humility, and patience. She had grace with the student who could not sleep the night before because of their home life. She was full of humility when she would lay down her own needs to meet her student's needs. She had patience when students burst out in anger and were behind academically. She cultivated an environment of love, kindness, and stability. She made sure the kids felt safe and could express their true selves. Teachers like Mrs. Combs are the teachers that will pave the way to education. As the world is becoming darker and darker, teachers need to take a stand and be a lighthouse in the classroom. Mrs. Combs motivated my passion for learning. It has made me realize that I strive to be an educator that creates a safe place. This first requires me to build relationships with my students. My prayer for my classroom is that it would be a lighthouse for students who are struggling to keep themselves above the waves. I want students to feel like they can express their true selves. Some students might come from a rough home life, but I hope that they look forward to coming into my classroom where they can feel loved. I want to be a teacher who changes lives. I want to be a teacher where my students learn not just the curriculum but the significant skills needed to improve the world. In the next 3 years of college, I hope to gain more skills that I will have to offer to the education system. I hope to be a part of a great movement that will improve education and change many students' lives. Being a first-generation college student and educator is a wonderful opportunity. I have had this dream ever since I was little to be a teacher. However, having the funds to achieve this dream is challenging. This scholarship will help me to receive the education I need to be an unforgettable teacher.

"A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others,” (Mustafa Kemal Ataturk). An educator is not just a profession, it is a beacon of hope, imagination, discipline, love, courage, and the future. Being a teacher requires someone to have a deep passion for guiding future leaders, politicians, doctors, engineers, and biologists. This list is endless. My name is Morgan Towles, and I am from Louisville, Kentucky. I am proudly a part of the beloved class at Asbury University. I am an elementary education major with hopes of being a kindergarten, first, or second-grade teacher. I am passionate about creating relationships with my students that are life-changing, creating a safe space for students, and an environment that is fun and challenging, I deserve this scholarship because I have the qualities of creativity and leadership. I have always had this dream of becoming a teacher. I remember the days when I was a child when I would come home from school and teach my stuffed animals. I would use my pointer, point to a blank wall, and recite all the things I learned at school that day. I even remember teaching my "class" about photosynthesis. I also remember when I would participate in my school's career day. I would have all the teacher's needs on. I had my fake glasses, lanyard, formal outfit, and even an apple. I was so excited to dress up and show everyone my teacher's outfit. My dream sparked more when I came to Asbury. It has made me realize that I strive to be an educator that creates a safe place. This first requires me to build relationships with my students. My prayer for my classroom is that it would be a lighthouse for students who are struggling to keep themselves above the waves. Some students might come from a rough home life, but I hope that they look forward to coming into my classroom where they can feel loved. I want to be a teacher who changes lives. I want to be a teacher where my students learn not just the curriculum, but significant skills needed to make the world a better place. This is an amazing dream I have had for a long time, and I am so grateful for the opportunity that I currently have to make it into a reality. The Asbury Education program is one of the best. It challenges me to learn how to become the best educator I can be. This past spring I had the opportunity to observe a classroom for a couple of months. Living out my dream has been such a fun ride. When I taught my first lesson in the classroom, it brought me so much joy to see students want to learn. This will be a day I will remember for the rest of my life. In the next 4 years of college, I hope to gain even more skills that I will have to offer to the education system. I hope to be a part of a great movement that will improve education and change many students' lives. This scholarship will help grant me access to more education needed to prepare and equip me to be the best teacher I can be. Being a first-generation college student and educator is a wonderful opportunity. I have had this dream ever since I was little to be a teacher. However, having the funds to achieve this dream is challenging. This scholarship will help me to receive the education I need to be an unforgettable teacher.

"A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others,” (Mustafa Kemal Ataturk). An educator is not just a profession, it is a beacon of hope, imagination, discipline, love, courage, and the future. Being a teacher requires someone to have a deep passion for guiding future leaders, politicians, doctors, engineers, and biologists. This list is endless. My name is Morgan Towles, and I am from Louisville, Kentucky. I am proudly a part of the beloved class at Asbury University. I am an elementary education major with hopes of being a kindergarten, first, or second-grade teacher. I am passionate about creating relationships with my students that are life-changing, creating a safe space for students, and an environment that is fun and challenging, I deserve this scholarship because I have the qualities of creativity and leadership. Teachers are needed to shape the minds of children, which is critical in this world of darkness. That is why I desire to be a teacher. I want to be a teacher who changes lives. I want to be a teacher where my students learn not just the curriculum, but significant skills needed to make the world a better place. Moreover, I strive to be an educator that creates a safe place. This first requires me to build relationships with my students. My prayer for my classroom is that it would be a lighthouse for students who are struggling to keep themselves above the waves. I want students to feel like they can express their true selves. Some students might come from a rough home life, but my hope is that they look forward to coming into my classroom where they can feel loved. It will help me humble myself and be light to my students, who are the future. Furthermore, building relationships creates an environment of trust. I want to create stable relationships with my students, but it is also crucial that I am respected and feared in my classroom. It is crucial that my students feel challenged not just with the curriculum they are learning, but in life skills as well. I also have the quality of being a great leader. I have the skills to take risks and challenge my students and future colleagues. I can be a leader in having the motivation to explore and try new ideas. I also have the skill to be a leader in communicating effectively which is crucial in communication with parents, students, and colleagues. Adding on to this, I have the creativity and imagination to spark an interest in learning. My creativity can play a huge role in preparing lesson plans my students enjoy doing. There will be no repetitiveness. No day will be the same in my classroom. Students will explore learning in a variety of ways. In the next 4 years of college, I hope to gain even more skills that I will have to offer to the education system. I hope to be a part of a great movement that will improve education and change many students' lives. This scholarship will help grant me access to more education needed to prepare and equip me to be the best teacher I can be. Being a first-generation college student and educator is a wonderful opportunity. I have had this dream ever since I was little to be a teacher. However, having the funds to achieve this dream is challenging. This scholarship will help me to receive the education I need to be an unforgettable teacher.

A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others,” (Mustafa Kemal Ataturk). An educator is not just a profession, it is a beacon of hope, imagination, discipline, love, courage, and the future. Being a teacher requires someone to have a deep passion for guiding future leaders, politicians, doctors, and engineers. This list is endless. Teachers are needed to shape the minds of people, which is critical in this world of darkness. That is why I desire to be a teacher. I want to be a teacher who changes lives. I want to be a teacher where my students learn not just the curriculum, but significant skills needed to make the world a better place. I know that I have been called to educate students in such a time as this. I strive to be an educator that creates a safe place. The world is becoming a cruel place every day. My prayer for my classroom is that it would be a lighthouse for the students who are struggling to keep themselves above the waves. I want the future generation to fall in love with learning again. Students should be filled with excitement as they step into a classroom. People may argue that the education system is so broken that education cannot get back to the place it once was or will never come to the place people hope it to be. These people are wrong. I believe a spark can ignite in one small classroom and it will spread like wildfire throughout the education system. The spark in the classroom takes a unique and equipped leader to take on this load. I have what it takes to shape the students of our future. I have the creativity and imagination to spark an interest in learning. My creativity can play a huge role in preparing lesson plans my students enjoy doing. There will be no repetitiveness. No day will be the same in my classroom. I also will have what it takes to create relationships with my students. I have the right skills to engage and communicate with my students. This will create an environment of trust and love. I also have the quality of being a great leader. Even though I want to create a stable relationship with my students, it is also crucial that I am respected and feared in my classroom. Furthermore, this past semester at Asbury University, I was placed in my first classroom for my clinical experience. I saw heartbreaking things. As a first-year student, coming into a classroom with 18/30 students labeled is overwhelming. To name off a few of the things the students in my class had; IEP, 504 plans, anger management issues, growth disorder, autism, oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety disorder, adopted, transgender, weekly therapy, history of trauma, and an EPO against father. There were many more challenges besides these listed that the students faced. Even though I was there for only a short amount of time, it took my passion for teaching to a whole other level. I made me want to become a teacher even more to be a light for these students that go through challenges. In the next 4 years of college, I hope to gain even more skills that I will have to offer to the education system. I hope to be a part of a great movement that will improve education and change many students' lives. This scholarship will help grant me access to more education needed to prepare and equip me to be the best teacher I can be.

My relationship with God is the most important thing to me. It is beautiful and valuable. It is something that I highly value in my daily life. I constantly try to maintain a strong and steadfast relationship with my Creator. I believe I must maintain a strong relationship with Jesus because it allows my faith to continue to grow. The more I get to know who God is and seek him every day, it allows my faith to experience him in new ways. I must spend time in God’s word, prayer, and worship daily, not only for my benefit but for the benefit of others. I cannot even imagine a life without Jesus. When I go through dark valleys, who would I rely on if I did not have Jesus? When I want to live out my passions and dreams, how do I do it without the Lord leading me? This past year my relationship with God has grown exponentially. I have been through many tests and trials that have brought me to my breaking point. I have wanted to throw in the towel and give in so badly, but God was using the dark moments to create something beautiful. God was using this as a refining process to grow, reshape, and redefine my faith and my perspective. The season of anxiety was meant to bring me down, but I am so grateful that God used it for his glory. He took what was meant for evil, and he turned for good. I began to trust and surrender to Jesus more. It pushed me to not rely on my thoughts. It pushed me to not be in control of my future when it was the thing I was so used to doing. This season where I went through the process of my first injury, going through college for the first time, and leaning into the calling God has for my life was a mark in my journey with the Lord. The love of Jesus is so great, that is willing to test and try me to become more like him. Isn’t that amazing? Moreover, I have a passion for teaching. I am currently attending Asbury University to get a degree in Elementary Education. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk once said, "A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others.” An educator is not just a profession, it is a beacon of hope, imagination, discipline, love, courage, and the future. Teachers are needed to shape the minds of children, which is critical in this world of darkness. That is why I desire to be a teacher. I want to be a teacher who changes lives. I want to be a teacher where my students learn not just the curriculum, but significant skills needed to make the world a better place. My prayer for my classroom is that it would be a lighthouse for students who are struggling to keep themselves above the waves. I want students to feel like they can express their true selves. Some students might come from a rough home life, but my hope is that they look forward to coming into my classroom where they can feel loved. I believe that having Jesus as a firm foundation in my life will help me tremendously in my career as a teacher. I will help me love my students with a love that never fails. It will help me humble myself and be a light to my students.