Coming from a single-parent and low-income household has instilled in me resilience, determination, and a strong work ethic. Witnessing my parent’s sacrifices to provide for our family taught me the value of perseverance and hard work. Financial constraints and limited resources often meant I had to find creative solutions to overcome obstacles, fostering adaptability and problem-solving skills. These experiences have motivated me to make a positive impact in my community. I actively volunteer at local shelters and tutoring centers, providing support and mentorship to children facing similar challenges. By sharing my story, I aim to inspire them to pursue their dreams despite adversities. In my pursuit of higher education, I am focusing on social work and community development. My goal is to create programs that provide educational and financial support to underprivileged families. Currently, I am involved in organizing community workshops that offer kids in my predicament a safe place to talk. By leveraging my life experiences, I plan to advocate for policies that address poverty and inequality, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to succeed. My journey has equipped me with the empathy and drive needed to effect meaningful change and uplift those in need.

Hi, my name is Shamya Stinson and I have always had a passion for children and teaching. Some ways I would engage my students in a way that excites them are for one I would do more of a hands-on type learning. I feel as if children should be able to do more than just be heads in the books. They deserve to be able to move around the classroom. Incorporating hands-on activities and experiments can make abstract concepts tangible. For subjects like science and mathematics, I would organize lab experiments, model-building, and field trips. For example, in a science class, students could conduct their own experiments to understand chemical reactions, or in a history class, they could recreate historical events through role-playing. These activities help students apply their knowledge and retain information better. I would also include technology; I say that because in this day and age technology plays a big part and there are positive sides to technology especially when it comes to learning. Using technology can transform traditional lessons into dynamic learning experiences. I would integrate multimedia presentations, interactive simulations, and educational games into my lessons. Tools like Kahoot for quizzes, Nearpod for interactive lessons, and virtual reality for immersive experiences can make learning fun and relatable. Another way is allowing them to work together in groups. Bonding with classmates and allowing each other to express their thoughts really would have an impact on the students. Encouraging collaboration through group activities and discussions helps students learn from each other and develop teamwork skills. I would facilitate group projects, peer reviews, and Socratic seminars. Using collaborative platforms like Google Workspace, students can work together seamlessly, share ideas, and provide feedback. This not only makes learning more interactive but also builds a sense of community in the classroom. One last way I would get the students excited are with rewards and different prizes when they do amazing in the classroom and even when they show amazing behavior and leadership outside of the classroom. Elements of gamification, such as leaderboards, badges, and challenges, can motivate students and make learning enjoyable. I would create classroom competitions, use reward systems for milestones achieved, and integrate educational games that align with the curriculum. Rewards act as positive reinforcement, encouraging students to repeat desired behaviors. When students receive recognition or tangible rewards for their efforts, they are more likely to continue working hard and participating actively. While intrinsic motivation comes from within and is driven by personal satisfaction, extrinsic motivation is driven by external rewards. A well-designed reward system can appeal to both.