In returning to school, I realize that education is expensive. I am a single mom of a 14-year-old girl; my whole reason for continuing my education is my daughter. When I was married, my husband didn’t want me going to school. He would tell me that the only way I could go back to college would be if I paid for it, and I would have to work full-time. I prayed hard over this because I was working full-time already and I knew I would have to get a second job to help with my college expenses. I was working full-time, I student-taught full-time, and I was taking college classes full-time. It was definitely a challenge from having a husband who did not want to encourage me at all to further my education, to deciding this is what I want to do with my life; this is the only way I can better myself, so I made it happen. Determination is something that is truly in my bones when I want something, or I know that it’ll benefit my daughter, then I make sure to make it happen. I want my daughter to see that education is so important, and to never have to rely on any man to support her. I am so blessed to be out of that marriage, and if I did not have my bachelor’s degree to fall on, then I wouldn’t have been able to support myself or my daughter. In today’s economy, it is not meant for people that are single moms; the rising prices of food, gas, and everything in general just doesn’t help. I personally cannot even afford my own home in today’s economy. The financial stress is high, but I make sure to pay my bills every single month. My daughter is young, and she doesn’t understand all that it takes to pay all the bills, but I know long-term it’s important to further my education, so one day maybe I won’t be a low-income family anymore. In returning to school, a challenge would be managing my time effectively. There have been times when there were family emergencies that would happen, which sometimes would put my academics on hold; however, I knew that upon returning to Wake Forest to get my master’s degree, I had to make that a priority. Nonetheless, I have a wonderful GPA, and I have successfully taken five graduate-level courses and have made all A’s except for one B. I volunteer outside of teaching as well as working on my master’s degree. I stay busy, and I truly love giving back to my community through helping aspiring educators pass their Praxis exam. My heart has always been for education, whether that be elementary-age students up to college-level students.

To serve someone is a privilege. I am blessed that I am able to help people in my community. More specifically, students in my community and their families. I am a fifth-grade teacher, and this upcoming year I will be a fourth-grade teacher. I am working on my master’s degree in educational leadership, and I will be able to better serve more than I do so now when I become a community leader. What type of community leader exactly? I know currently I want to remain a teacher for the next few years, and then start my leadership in education by serving as administration. It has been a dream of mine to always help and do what I love. I absolutely love helping students grow and being an educational leader who helps other students outside of my classroom. Not only that, with furthering my education, I will be able to broaden my horizons beyond just being a classroom teacher. Classroom teachers do a tremendous job, and I do help in my community simply by being a classroom teacher. I have reached out to multiple people for donations for my classroom for my students, and also I have helped my school campus with a clean and green project. I raised $2,500 to beautify our school. This included picnic tables, trees, flowers, bird feeders, new paint, and other miscellaneous items the school needed. Beyond my school, I have worked alongside college students throughout the state of North Carolina who were aspiring educators. We all came together to serve a school in Greensboro where we did a beautification project. It was featured on the news for Rankin Elementary. Beyond my classroom expertise and helping aspiring educators throughout the state of North Carolina, I have also donated to numerous Title I Schools when I worked at Lowe’s Home Improvement. I donated over $1000 of products that went to helping elementary schools and colleges to help their campuses. Beyond education, donations, I would often donate to Assisted Living homes, especially during Covid times I donated hand sanitizers, masks, cleaning, supplies, flowers, and so much more to them. I also would donate to Habitat For Humanity, which I got a card stating that with the donations throughout the years they were able to build houses for at least six families. As you can see, it is my life mission to serve others. Not only do I want to help educate students, but I want to continue serving the community I live in. To this day, I still help aspiring educators throughout the state of North Carolina, but I am working more closely with the North Carolina Association of educators where we do Praxis Boot Camps to help them practice passing the Praxis exams. I have helped WSSU and UNCG in the past few months. This just started this year, and I am so glad to be a member serving our state through our national education Association.

Education is a pathway of love, learning, and commitment. Ever since I was a little girl, I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. I remember playing “teacher” in my room with my stuffed animals. As a child I would lay my stuffed animals in a circle, and I had a little art board that I would write on. Little did I know, Reyna's imagination would come to life! A lot of people think becoming a teacher isn't the way to go, because of the financial aspect. Being a single mom, and only making a teacher salary income is tough at times. However, it is the most underpaid and rewarding career I have ever had. Not only is it my career, but it is my life journey. My first teaching experience beyond child's play would be when I was 18 years old when a student taught a second grade class. At the time, my little brother and sister were also in second grade, so I had great experience with children. That was my first professional experience with teaching. However, I grew up in a family of education. My grandma was a Principal, my dad and Mom were both taught high school biology, and their pathways in education changed from time to time. I learned that at an early age how important education was. I remember | struggled in preschool and even in kindergarten how to read. I would look around and see everyone reading, but I didn't understand why I couldn't read. I even struggled with math, and it frustrated me, I didn't understand it. Having this experience has taught me how important it is to meet children where they are. As a teacher to this day, I let them know: Hey, guess what!? You can do whatever you want to do, with hard work, ambition, and a love for what you do. I explained to them that believe it or not Ms. Herba once in her life, had to do tutoring for reading, and I struggled to read. My students were baffled by this, but the ones that also struggled had hope through my story.  All in all, as an educator, I just clearly want to continue teaching my students hope. Giving them hope might just be the one key to their success! Not only do I love what I do, but it is my life journey. It is my mission.

Balancing the roles of mother, educator, and student has been one of the most demanding yet meaningful journeys of my life. As a single mother, every decision I make carries the weight of not only my future but also my daughter’s. My fourteen-year-old daughter is watching me closely, and I know that the example I set today will shape how she sees perseverance, education, and possibility. One of the greatest challenges I face is financial stability. Managing monthly expenses on a single income while pursuing my graduate degree often feels overwhelming. Like many single mothers, I am responsible for every bill, every household need, and every unexpected expense that arises. By the time I complete my master’s degree, I will owe approximately $35,000 in student loans. While I know this investment will ultimately open doors for my career and my family’s future, the immediate financial pressure can be difficult. There are months when I worry about how to balance tuition payments, household expenses, and ensuring that my daughter has everything she needs to thrive. Time is another constant challenge. I work full time as a fifth-grade teacher, attend graduate school full time, and manage the responsibilities of raising a teenager on my own. My days begin early and often end late, filled with lesson planning, coursework, parenting responsibilities, and the countless small tasks that come with maintaining a home. There are moments of exhaustion when I question how much more I can handle. Yet those moments are always followed by the reminder of why I started this journey in the first place. Despite the challenges, this path has also been incredibly fulfilling. As a fifth-grade teacher, I have the privilege of shaping young minds during a critical stage in their development. I see firsthand how education can change the trajectory of a child’s life. Watching my students grow academically and emotionally reminds me daily that the work I do matters. Knowing that I have played a role in their success is one of the most rewarding aspects of my career. Beyond the classroom, I have also had the opportunity to work alongside the National Education Association (NEA) to advocate for aspiring educators. Being involved in advocacy has strengthened my passion for improving education and supporting teachers who are just beginning their careers. It has allowed me to use my voice to push for opportunities and resources that help educators succeed, which ultimately benefits the students we serve. Perhaps the most meaningful part of this journey is the example I am setting for my daughter. She sees me working full time, studying late at night, and pushing forward even when things are difficult. I want her to understand that education is powerful and that perseverance can open doors that once seemed closed. I want her to see that doing better—for ourselves and for our families—is always worth the effort. Through further education, I hope to expand my impact both in the classroom and beyond it. My goal is to continue advocating for students and educators while creating greater financial stability for my family. Completing my graduate degree will allow me to grow professionally, increase my earning potential, and provide my daughter with opportunities that every child deserves. My journey as a single mother pursuing education has not been easy, but it has been purposeful. Every late night, every challenge, and every sacrifice is part of building a better future—not just for me, but for my daughter and the students whose lives I have the honor of shaping every day.

Balancing my education with my commitment to my family as a single parent is one of the greatest challenges I have faced, but it is also one of the most meaningful. I am currently a fifth-grade teacher and a full-time graduate student at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In addition to working and studying full time, I am also parenting full time as the primary caregiver to my daughter. Managing these responsibilities requires careful planning, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to both my professional goals and my family’s well-being. Being a single parent is not easy, especially while navigating a demanding career and graduate studies. My daughter and I have both experienced trauma over the past year, which ultimately led to my decision to pursue a divorce. Because of this, her emotional and mental well-being is my top priority. We both attend therapy every other week, which has helped us heal, grow stronger, and develop healthy coping strategies. While balancing work, school, and parenting can be exhausting, I remain intentional about creating routines and boundaries that allow me to be present for my daughter while also staying committed to my education. I approach balance by modeling perseverance and responsibility for my child. I want her to see that education matters, even when life is difficult. I am teaching her to be strong, to stand up for herself, and to believe in her own abilities. Although this path has not been easy, I hope that by watching me pursue my degree with determination, she will one day feel empowered to make strong, confident decisions for herself if she faces challenges of her own. My education is not just for me—it is an investment in our future and an example I want her to carry with her. This scholarship would play a critical role in helping me achieve my goal of earning my graduate degree. As a teacher in North Carolina, financial challenges are a reality. Unfortunately, our state ranks among the lowest in teacher pay nationwide. Despite this being my second year of teaching, I did not receive a salary increase as expected. With the cost of tuition, living expenses, and raising a child on a single income, finances are often stretched thin. Any scholarship support I receive would go directly toward reducing my student debt, allowing me to focus more fully on my education and my family without the constant stress of financial strain. Ultimately, earning my degree will allow me to grow professionally and better support my daughter in the long term. This scholarship would not only ease my current financial burden, but also help me continue building a stable, meaningful future for both of us. I am committed to this journey, and with support, I know I can continue to succeed as a student, educator, and mother.

Giving back to my community is important to me because I believe positive change starts where you are. I have learned that even small efforts, when done with care and teamwork, can make a meaningful difference. One of the most impactful ways I currently give back is through my involvement in school-based projects that directly improve the learning environment for students. The most recent giveback project at my school raised $2,500, which was used to enhance and beautify our school campus. Through this project, we were able to provide brand-new picnic tables, fresh paint, trees, flowers, and birdfeeders. The goal was not only to improve the physical appearance of the school, but also to create a welcoming and uplifting environment where students could feel proud of their surroundings. A clean, inviting school environment plays a major role in how students feel about coming to school each day. One of the most meaningful parts of this project was the involvement of the students themselves. Students helped move and arrange the picnic tables, which gave them a sense of ownership and responsibility. Seeing their excitement and pride was incredibly rewarding. They absolutely love sitting at the picnic tables, whether they are eating lunch, talking with friends, or working outside. This experience showed me how powerful it can be to include students in service projects that directly affect them. When students feel connected to their school, they are more likely to respect it and take pride in their learning. Looking toward the future, I plan to continue giving back by serving students and communities through education. As an educator, I have the opportunity to positively impact the world by helping shape the next generation. I want to be someone who not only teaches academic skills, but also models kindness, leadership, and service. I believe that when students see adults giving back, they are inspired to do the same. In the future, I hope to take on leadership roles that allow me to create more opportunities for service and community involvement. I want to help organize projects that support schools, families, and local communities, especially those that may lack resources. Whether it is improving school environments, supporting student well-being, or creating programs that encourage growth and confidence, I want my work to have a lasting impact. Ultimately, I plan to positively impact the world by creating spaces where students feel safe, valued, and empowered to succeed. By giving back now and continuing this mindset in the future, I hope to make a difference not only in schools, but in the lives of the people within them. I believe that service, leadership, and education together can create lasting change, and I am committed to being part of that change.

Teaching is more than a profession to me; it is a calling rooted in the belief that every child deserves equal opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed. I believe that students learn best when they feel safe, valued, and genuinely loved. When students walk into my classroom, I want them to know that they are entering a space where they belong—a home away from home. My goal is for every child to feel supported emotionally and academically, so they are confident enough to take risks, ask questions, and discover their potential. My passion for teaching comes from understanding how powerful a positive learning environment can be. Children come to school with different backgrounds, abilities, and challenges, and it is my responsibility as an educator to meet them where they are. I want my students to be excited about learning and to believe in themselves, even when learning feels difficult. I strive to encourage them to set goals and understand that success is possible when they put in effort and remain determined. Teaching allows me to make a lasting impact by helping students develop not only academic skills, but also confidence, resilience, and a love for learning. Teaching is important to me because education is the foundation for opportunity. When students feel safe and supported, they are more willing to engage, grow, and challenge themselves. I believe that learning should be meaningful and inclusive, and that every child deserves an educator who is willing to advocate for them and adjust instruction to meet their needs. I understand that students are all on different academic levels, and success should not be defined by a single measure. However, I am committed to helping each student grow and perform to the best of their ability. For my students, I hope to achieve academic growth, confidence, and a strong sense of self-worth. While I would love for all of my students to pass the End-of-Grade assessments, I recognize that progress looks different for each learner. My goal is to continually improve my teaching strategies so I can support students more effectively and help them achieve higher outcomes in ways that are meaningful and attainable for them. For myself, I aspire to earn a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and eventually become a principal. I want to expand my impact beyond the classroom by leading a school that prioritizes student success, teacher support, and a positive school culture. As a leader, I hope to inspire others the same way I strive to inspire my students—by creating an environment where everyone feels valued, capable, and motivated to succeed. Teaching matters to me because it has the power to change lives, and I am committed to being the kind of educator—and leader—who makes that difference every day.

Becoming a single parent reshaped my understanding of responsibility, resilience, and purpose. It required me to balance the roles of provider, caregiver, and role model while continuing to pursue personal and professional growth. As a fifth-grade elementary school teacher, my experience as a single parent has deeply influenced my pursuit of higher education by strengthening my commitment to lifelong learning—not only for myself, but for my daughter and the students I serve. Navigating parenthood on my own has taught me how to manage time intentionally, persevere through challenges, and remain adaptable in moments of uncertainty. These same skills guide me in my academic and professional pursuits. Higher education represents opportunity, stability, and growth, and I view it as a pathway to expand my impact as an educator and community leader. My daughter is my greatest motivation. I am intentional about spending quality time with her and allowing her to see what I do beyond the classroom. I want her to understand the value of hard work, service, and education by watching me live those values every day. In my professional role, I strive to uplift not only my students but also future educators. I work closely with the North Carolina Association of Educators to support aspiring teachers as they prepare for their Praxis exams. Helping others build confidence and succeed in their certification journey reinforces my belief that strong educators are the foundation of strong communities. By supporting future teachers, I am contributing to the long-term success of schools and students across our state. My commitment to service extends beyond academics. I have led multiple giveback projects designed to improve our school and surrounding community. Most recently, I secured a $2,500 grant to support a school beautification initiative. Through this project, we were able to purchase picnic tables for students, creating welcoming outdoor spaces for learning and connection, as well as provide new paint for our hallways to foster a more positive and inspiring environment. These changes may seem small, but they significantly impact how students feel about their school and themselves. As a single parent and educator, I understand the importance of creating spaces where children feel valued, supported, and encouraged to succeed. My pursuit of higher education is driven by a desire to expand my leadership skills, advocate more effectively for students and teachers, and continue developing programs that meet the needs of diverse learners. Looking ahead, I plan to make a positive impact in my community by continuing to mentor aspiring educators, lead service-based initiatives, and model perseverance for my daughter and students. I want them to see that challenges do not limit potential—they refine it. Through education, service, and leadership, I am committed to building stronger schools and a brighter future for the next generation.

Have you ever thought about the impact of spending a few hours helping someone without getting paid for your time? That is the most valuable gift you can give someone, your time. The thought of helping someone out in need when they need it is truly a humbling experience. I know I live a life of service. Through my work (Lowe's Home Improvement), schooling (college education Salem College), organizations (Student North Carolina Association of Educators), and so many other opportunities. I have assisted in assisted living homes from volunteering to donating beautiful flowers, and during COVID times I donated masks, hand sanitizers, magazines, and other cleaning products when I was able. Throughout my years, I have always given back in some way or another. I have donated to title I schools in my time of working at Lowe's Home Improvement. I have helped Habitat for Humanity build houses for 7+ families, because of our donations. I have helped Crossnore children's home with their lawn care, as well as Cash Elementary for making an accessible outdoor classroom for students that were in wheelchairs. It doesn't stop there either, we made a outdoor gardening space with picnic tables for elementary students to go for fresh air and learn by growing vegetables right at their very own elementary school. We have painted picnic tables for the school's colors too. I volunteered at a book fair for an elementary school. I also have volunteered to the Salvation Army with Gifts for Kids through Fox 8 multiple times. With the Student North Carolina Association of Educators, I have helped remodeled Rankin Elementary School. There have been numerous elementary schools in the Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools that I have donated items to for helping multiple gardens, spaces, outdoor classrooms, and even my time in reading to students, helping with bookfairs, and many more opportunities. My favorite would have to be the time my college class went to a children's home. We purchased Christmas gifts for the children, and we even did a play for them. It was my absolute favorite for giving my time, and we even got time to speak to the children too! Overall, ever since I can remember, I have been giving back in some way or another. Life is about helping those in need when they need it, and even when they don't ask. Time is more valuable than money, and I have volunteered numerous times throughout my lifetime. I will be a fifth-grade teacher next year, and I hope I am able to receive donations for my classroom as I once donated to many schools in my area!

The dream version of my future self is a highly educated (at least Master’s degree level) Media Specialist in an Elementary Public School.