Teaching is truly a career; not a job. I am currently the math specialist at my elementary school and have been in this position for eight years. Teaching and learning more about the world of math and helping our youngest students see the joy and fun in math are my two biggest passions. Fun? Joy? These two words are not commonly, if ever, associated with math. However, I know that students can find math to be fun and full of joy with educators who are willing to go the extra mile to bring math into their own lives and communities. With this graduate degree I am seeking, I plan to start a community math center in some of the low-income housing areas surrounding our city’s elementary schools. Math is accessible to all students, and it is my dream to make it accessible to all students regardless of their income, background, or preconceived notions of themselves as mathematicians or not. I graduated in 2009 with my teacher license and teaching degree from the University of Virginia. In five years I earned a Bachelor’s degree in government and a Master’s degree in teaching. Before my first child was born I went back to graduate school at Old Dominion University and earned my special education endorsement to add to my teaching license. My next goal is to increase my mathematical knowledge and my leadership skills by earning the Mathematics Specialist Leader endorsement from George Mason University in order to achieve the following dreams. That is why I am applying for the Patrick Standley Memorial scholarship. Within my school and school system I dream of working with our reading specialist and instructional coach to change learning outcomes for students beginning at birth. This would involve a program that families can opt into at our local hospitals and would involve an in-person or telehealth visit every six months. At these visits, parents will have the opportunity to ask us questions and initially build relationships. As our relationship grows and trust develops, we will offer practical, daily ways for parents/caregivers to talk to their children more. On the math side, we will offer simple toys with ways for parents and caregivers to increase children’s basic beginning number sense (colors, shapes, sizes, more/less, number, etc.). This relationship will continue until students enter kindergarten. The research is clear that early intervention makes the biggest difference for our students as they enter and progress through our schools. Our dream is to elevate the number and functionality of the skills students enter school already knowing. I hope to one day receive a letter from a former student, like my family did, saying how I changed the trajectory of their life and that they are choosing to fight for what they love. Impacting my community through math literacy and increasing student’s desire to pursue mathematical and STEM fields is critical to my goals and dreams. I want to help students end the cycle of poverty that many of our school families face. Giving students and children a step up before they even enter school begins their mathematical road towards a brighter financial future for themselves, their families, and their communities.

“Ms. McDaniel made such a huge impact on my life. I was able to finish college and get a job because of her kindness and willingness to help me as her student.” These are the words of one of numerous hand-written notes from former students when my mom passed away from brain cancer. She was a teacher at the local community college and taught remedial English and math classes to help locals earn their GED and gain employment in new fields as the textile industry came and went in our town. These notes portrayed her as a hero; the type of hero that only a teacher can be in an individual's life. Reading these notes solidified my desire and drive to become a teacher also, just like my mom. Therefore, I am applying for the Hicks Scholarship Award to help offset the costs of returning to graduate school. I was only 10 years old when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer initially. Thus began years of chemotherapy and radiation as her cancer metastasized four different times, until she died from brain cancer after an 11-year fight for her life. However, my mom did not go down easy. She went down fighting and swinging until the end. Fighting to see her three girls graduate from high school (she saw two of the three accomplish this goal), attend countless dance and piano recitals, and cheer at volleyball games and track meets. She worked for many years after her initial diagnosis, educating students who knew her as a teacher, an advocate, and a friend. My mom died before she saw me get married. She has never met her six grandchildren. Cancer stole so much from my mom and my family, but my mom always said there were two choices in life; fight for what you love or sit out and miss out on this one life we have been given. She chose to fight for what she loved. I choose everyday to fight for what I love in order to honor her memory and to demonstrate the type of person their grandma was and is for my children. The strength of my mom’s fight lives in me. It has helped determine the trajectory of my life. I was an undergraduate at college and had just finished my first year of school when my mom died. At first my grades suffered and I had difficulty attending classes and paying attention to my studies. When I received a letter in the mail that my admission into the education school was at risk, I had two choices. Fight for what I loved and was passionate about or sit out and miss out on this opportunity to fulfill my life’s career goals. I chose to fight. I fought to get my grades back up. I fought to get out of bed and attend classes regularly. I fought to prove how much I wanted to be admitted to the education school. Thankfully my fight won, and I graduated in 2009 with my teacher license and teaching degree. I hope to one day receive a letter from a former student, like my family did, saying how I changed the trajectory of their life and that they are choosing to fight for what they love.

“Ms. McDaniel made such a huge impact on my life. I was able to finish college and get a job because of her kindness and willingness to help me as her student.” These are the words of one of numerous hand-written notes from former students when my mom passed away from brain cancer. She was a teacher at the local community college and taught remedial English and math classes to help locals earn their GED and gain employment in new fields as the textile industry came and went in our town. These notes portrayed her as a hero; the type of hero that only a teacher can be in an individual's life. Reading these notes solidified my desire and drive to become a teacher also, just like my mom. Therefore, I am applying for the Branch Out scholarship to help offset the costs of returning to graduate school. I was only 10 years old when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer initially. Thus began years of chemotherapy and radiation as her cancer metastasized four different times, until she died from brain cancer after an 11-year fight for her life. However, my mom did not go down easy. She went down fighting and swinging until the end. Fighting to see her three girls graduate from high school (she saw two of the three accomplish this goal), attend countless dance and piano recitals, and cheer at volleyball games and track meets. She worked for many years after her initial diagnosis, educating students who knew her as a teacher, an advocate, and a friend. My mom died before she saw me get married. She has never met her six grandchildren. Cancer stole so much from my mom and my family, but my mom always said there were two choices in life; fight for what you love or sit out and miss out on this one life we have been given. She chose to fight for what she loved. I choose everyday to fight for what I love in order to honor her memory and to demonstrate the type of person their grandma was and is for my children. The strength of my mom’s fight lives in me. It has helped determine the trajectory of my life. I was an undergraduate at college and had just finished my first year of school when my mom died. At first my grades suffered and I had difficulty attending classes and paying attention to my studies. When I received a letter in the mail that my admission into the education school was at risk, I had two choices. Fight for what I loved and was passionate about or sit out and miss out on this opportunity to fulfill my life’s career goals. I chose to fight. I fought to get my grades back up. I fought to get out of bed and attend classes regularly. I fought to prove how much I wanted to be admitted to the education school. Thankfully my fight won, and I graduated in 2009 with my teacher license and teaching degree. Teaching is truly a career; not a job. I am currently the math specialist at my elementary school and have been in this position for eight years. Teaching and learning more about the world of math and helping our youngest students see the joy and fun in math are my two biggest passions. I hope to one day receive a letter from a former student, like my family did, saying how I changed the trajectory of their life and that they are choosing to fight for what they love.

I have diabetes. Diabetes does not have me. This is the motto I have lived by since being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 10. (I even turned 11 while in the hospital!) Happy birthday to me. I live fearlessly because my mom instilled this character trait in me. She fought to ensure that I had the very best life possible even with diabetes. Within the first year of my diagnosis my mom was battling with our insurance company to have them pay for an insulin pump. This was 1998; the early years of insulin pumps but my mom knew this technology could help me live a more independent, well-controlled fearless life with diabetes. So she fought! It took three handwritten notes from my mom explaining to the insurance company how I would benefit from this technology and why I needed a pump. She could have given up at the first, second, or third denial from the insurance company, but instead she chose to fight so that I could live my life fearlessly. Fast forward 18 years and I was pregnant with my first child. At first fear overtook me as I read about and learned about the myriad of complications that can arise during pregnancy if your diabetes is not well controlled. However, thanks to my Dexcom continuous glucose monitor, my insulin pump and the absolute most supportive endocrinologist, my fear turned to fearlessness. I worked harder than I ever have to maintain tight control with the goal of delivering a healthy happy baby boy. And I did! Noah was born in October right on schedule while I maintained an A1c of less than 6. I did this a second time when I delivered another healthy boy named Carter a few years later. Fear could have been my companion during the nine months of pregnancy but instead I chose education and fearlessness. Currently. I am a teacher at an elementary school where two students are Type 1 diabetics. As an adult living with diabetes I feel strongly that it is my mission and goal to live fearlessly as a role model for these students as well as for any student who is struggling to overcome a challenge. In October as part of diabetes awareness month, two other diabetic teachers at my school and myself created a video that we shared with the entire school. In the past the idea of talking, much less talking about my diabetes in front of over 400 people left me in fear. However, now I know I am living this life with diabetes in order to be a role model for others. So I did it. I overcame my fears and spoke about what it is like to live with diabetes and how I am striving daily to live fearlessly!

“Ms. McDaniel made such a huge impact on my life. I was able to finish college and get a job because of her kindness and willingness to help me as her student.” These are the words of one of numerous hand-written notes from former students when my mom passed away from brain cancer. She was a teacher at the local community college and taught remedial English and math classes to help locals earn their GED and gain employment in new fields as the textile industry came and went in our town. These notes portrayed her as a hero; the type of hero that only a teacher can be in an individual's life. Reading these notes solidified my desire and drive to become a teacher also, just like my mom. Therefore, I am applying for the Mental Helath Scholarship for Women to help offset the costs of returning to graduate school. I was only 10 years old when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer initially. The strength of my mom’s fight lives in me. It has helped determine the trajectory of my life. I was an undergraduate at college and had just finished my first year of school when my mom died. At first my grades suffered and I had difficulty attending classes and paying attention to my studies. I was unable to get out of the bed and leave the house. Eventually I was diagnosed with depression and began receiving help through counseling and self care. When I received a letter in the mail that my admission into the education school was at risk, I had two choices. Fight for what I loved and was passionate about or sit out and miss out on this opportunity to fulfill my life’s career goals. I chose to fight. I fought to get my grades back up. I fought to get out of bed and attend classes regularly. I fought to prove how much I wanted to be admitted to the education school. Thankfully my fight won, and I graduated in 2009 with my teacher license and teaching degree. Teaching is truly a career; not a job. I am currently the math specialist at my elementary school and have been in this position for eight years. Teaching and learning more about the world of math and helping our youngest students see the joy and fun in math are my two biggest passions. I hope to one day receive a letter from a former student, like my family did, saying how I changed the trajectory of their life and that they are choosing to fight for what they love. I am up against a new fight in my life now. I have a progressive neuromuscular disease that is not curable. It will slowly take away my ability to walk independently and use my hands to do all the things they currently help me do. Again, the question has arisen, will I fight for what I love or will I sit out and accept my fate? I am fighting for what I love. I am continuing to see a counselor and practice self care. Financially, my physical challenges are taxing on my young family and due to my numerous health bills, returning to school is difficult. This is the reason I am applying for this scholarship. Win or lose, I will choose to keep fighting for what I love!

“Ms. McDaniel made such a huge impact on my life. I was able to finish college and get a job because of her kindness and willingness to help me as her student.” These are the words of one of numerous hand-written notes from former students when my mom passed away from brain cancer. She was a teacher at the local community college and taught remedial English and math classes to help locals earn their GED and gain employment in new fields as the textile industry came and went in our town. These notes portrayed her as a hero; the type of hero that only a teacher can be in an individual's life. Reading these notes solidified my desire and drive to become a teacher also, just like my mom. I was only 10 years old when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer initially. Thus began years of chemotherapy and radiation as her cancer metastasized four different times, until she died from brain cancer after an 11-year fight for her life. However, my mom did not go down easy. She went down fighting and swinging until the end. Fighting to see her three girls graduate from high school (she saw two of the three accomplish this goal), attend countless dance and piano recitals, and cheer at volleyball games and track meets. She worked for many years after her initial diagnosis, educating students who knew her as a teacher, an advocate, and a friend. My mom died before she saw me get married. She has never met her six grandchildren. Cancer stole so much from my mom and my family, but my mom always said there were two choices in life; fight for what you love or sit out and miss out on this one life we have been given. She chose to fight for what she loved. I choose everyday to fight for what I love in order to honor her memory and to demonstrate the type of person their grandma was and is for my children. The strength of my mom’s fight lives in me. It has helped determine the trajectory of my life. I was an undergraduate at college and had just finished my first year of school when my mom died. At first my grades suffered and I had difficulty attending classes and paying attention to my studies. When I received a letter in the mail that my admission into the education school was at risk, I had two choices. Fight for what I loved and was passionate about or sit out and miss out on this opportunity to fulfill my life’s career goals. I chose to fight. I fought to get my grades back up. I fought to get out of bed and attend classes regularly. I fought to prove how much I wanted to be admitted to the education school. Thankfully my fight won, and I graduated in 2009 with my teacher license and teaching degree. I am currently in my 14th year as an elementary teacher and current math specialist. I am up against a new fight in my life now. I have a progressive neuromuscular disease that is not curable. It will slowly take away my ability to walk independently and use my hands to do all the things they currently help me do. Again, the question has arisen, will I fight for what I love or will I sit out and accept my fate? I am fighting for what I love. I am wearing braces full-time to maintain my mobility and am doing occupational therapy to work on strengthening the muscles in my hands. I am working to go back to graduate school to earn my Master’s degree as a math specialist with a leadership emphasis. I never knew how much I loved teaching math and developing joy in our youngest students when they encounter math in their lives. I have dreams of starting a math club at the community centers in our low-income housing areas that feed our schools. These students will have opportunities to explore math and find the fun in being a mathematician! I hope to one day receive a letter from a former student, like my family did, saying how I changed the trajectory of their life and that they are choosing to fight for what they love. Financially, due to my numerous health bills, returning to school is difficult. This is the reason I am applying for this scholarship. Win or lose, I will choose to keep fighting for what I love!

“Ms. McDaniel made such a huge impact on my life. I was able to finish college and get a job because of her kindness and willingness to help me as her student.” These are the words of one of numerous hand-written notes from former students when my mom passed away from brain cancer. She was a teacher at the local community college and taught remedial English and math classes to help locals earn their GED and gain employment in new fields as the textile industry came and went in our town. These notes portrayed her as a hero; the type of hero that only a teacher can be in an individual's life. Reading these notes solidified my desire and drive to become a teacher also, just like my mom. Therefore, I am applying for the Empowering Motherhood scholarship to help offset the costs of returning to graduate school. My mom is the motivation for me to continue pursuing higher education. She demonstrated to me that even while raising three girls, she could prepare dinner, pack lunches, do baths, tuck into bed, and still make time to work on her college classes. She told me that she kept going because she wanted to show my sisters and me that hard work and diligence pay off. This was one of many life lessons she taught me before I became a mother myself. I am a mom to two boys who are the light of my life. In addition to going back to school I also have physical disabilities that make certain daily tasks difficult. However, I want to show my boys that anything is possible when they set their mind to it. Working together as a family is one of the reasons I am able to continue my education. Both the boys and I have chores and responsibilities to complete, but if each person does their part we can succeed together. I balance working on my coursework and spending time with my kids. Often I work on my class work after they go to bed or get up early in the morning before they awaken for the day. This allows me to be present when they are awake as much as possible. In addition, I will work for an hour and then take a thirty minute break and spend time doing anything the kids want to do; their choice. Finding a perfect balance of attending college and being a mom is impossible. However, by being intentional in my decisions and making time just for the boys and me ensures that I can continue my higher education dreams while being the best mom possible!