My main educational goal is to complete my degree in Elementary Education with a Birth–Kindergarten focus and Special Education, along with my minor in American Sign Language, at Central Michigan University. After graduation, I plan to become a kindergarten teacher. I have wanted to become a teacher since I was in fifth grade, and as I have gotten older, that goal has only become stronger. I know that working with young children is what I want to do, and I am excited to continue learning everything I can to prepare myself for that career. One of my biggest goals throughout college is to learn how to support every child as an individual. Children learn in many different ways, and I want to be prepared to recognize and respond to those differences. My Special Education coursework will help me understand how to support children with disabilities and different learning needs. I also chose to minor in American Sign Language because I want to become a better communicator and help make my future classroom more inclusive. I want every child to feel like they belong in my classroom and know that their differences do not limit what they can accomplish. I also want to gain as much hands-on experience as possible while I am in college. My experiences working with children have shown me how important it is to build relationships with them and understand their individual personalities and interests. I want to continue learning how to create activities that make children excited to learn and allow them to use their imagination and creativity. I especially want to create a classroom where learning feels fun and meaningful rather than something children simply have to do. My long-term educational goal is to graduate with the knowledge, experience, and confidence I need to become a successful kindergarten teacher. I want to continue learning even after I graduate because I believe good teachers never stop growing. I hope to learn from other educators, my future students, and the families I work with throughout my career. This scholarship would help me reach these goals by reducing some of the financial stress that comes with paying for college. I am responsible for funding my education myself, so tuition, books, supplies, housing, and other expenses can be difficult to manage. Receiving this scholarship would allow me to focus more of my time and energy on my education and less on worrying about how I will pay for my next expense. It would also help me continue pursuing the degree and career I have worked toward for many years. Earning my degree is extremely important to me because it will allow me to turn something I have wanted since I was young into my career. I want to become the kind of teacher who makes children feel seen, supported, and excited to come to school. This scholarship would help me take another step toward that goal and toward making a positive difference in the lives of the children I will one day teach.

I was fortunate to grow up with parents who have always been there for me. They have been an incredibly important part of my life and have supported me through every stage of growing up. They did everything with me, encouraged me to try new things, and taught me to always do my best. Because of the way they raised me, I have grown into someone who is responsible, hardworking, and appreciative of everything I have. Although I was not raised by a guardian or grandparent, my parents played the role of being my biggest supporters and the people I could always depend on. They taught me that success does not come from simply being naturally good at something. It comes from putting in effort, staying focused, and continuing to try even when something is difficult. These are lessons that I still carry with me today, especially as I work toward earning my college degree. My upbringing has also influenced the way I treat other people. My parents taught me to be kind, respectful, and appreciative of the people around me. I try to treat others the way I would want to be treated and to remember that everyone has their own experiences and challenges. I believe these values will be especially important in my future career as a teacher. I am currently pursuing Elementary Education with a Birth–Kindergarten focus and Special Education, along with a minor in American Sign Language. My goal is to become a kindergarten teacher and create a classroom where every child feels valued, supported, and encouraged to do their best. I did not grow up surrounded by teachers in my family, so my decision to become a teacher came from my own experiences and my love for working with children. However, the values my parents taught me have strongly influenced the kind of teacher I want to become. I want to be a teacher who is patient, hardworking, and willing to put in the effort needed to help every child succeed. I want my students to know that I believe in them and that their effort matters. My parents taught me to always focus, work hard, and give everything my best effort, and I hope to pass those same values on to my future students. My upbringing has shaped who I am today, and I am grateful for the lessons my parents have given me. Their support has taught me not to take opportunities for granted and to appreciate how far hard work can take me. As I continue through college and into my career, I plan to carry those lessons with me and use them to make a positive difference in the lives of the children I teach.

As someone living with Type 1 diabetes, I understand how much managing a chronic autoimmune condition can affect everyday life. There is so much that people who do not live with diabetes may not see, such as constantly checking blood sugar, managing highs and lows, keeping track of supplies, attending appointments, and always having to think ahead. Because of my own experience, I have developed a level of empathy for people living with chronic conditions that I hope to carry into my future career. I am studying Elementary Education with a Birth–Kindergarten focus and Special Education, and I plan to become a kindergarten teacher. In my chosen field, I want to help children with chronic health conditions feel safe, understood, and included in their classrooms. I know from experience that having a medical condition does not mean that a person should have to miss out on the things they enjoy or feel different from everyone else. I want to make sure my future students know that they can participate, learn, play, and be themselves while also taking care of their health. As a teacher, I will work closely with families, school nurses, and other professionals to understand each child’s individual needs. For a student with diabetes or another chronic condition, I would make sure they have the time and support they need to check their blood sugar, treat a low, take medication, or take a break when necessary. I would also want to create a classroom environment where these needs are treated as a normal part of caring for someone’s health rather than something that makes the child different. I also want to use my experiences to educate others. Young children may not understand why a classmate needs to check their blood sugar or why they sometimes need to stop what they are doing. With guidance from the child’s family and appropriate school staff, I would help create an environment where students can learn empathy and understand that everyone’s body and needs are different. Most importantly, I want my experience with Type 1 diabetes to become something that helps me connect with and advocate for others. I know what it feels like to have a condition that requires constant attention, and I want to use that understanding to make sure children with chronic conditions never feel like their diagnosis limits who they can be. As an educator, I hope to be someone who makes school a more supportive and inclusive place for every child.

I believe selflessness means being willing to help others without expecting anything in return. To me, it is not always about doing something huge or life-changing. Sometimes it is simply noticing that someone needs help and choosing to be there for them. I try to embody selflessness by being someone that others can depend on, especially when they are having a difficult time. One of the biggest ways I have practiced selflessness is through caring for children. When I babysit, my focus is completely on the children and their needs. I make sure they feel safe, listened to, and cared for while their parents are away. This can mean putting aside what I would rather be doing so I can play the game they want to play, help them with something they are struggling with, comfort them when they are upset, or simply sit and listen to them. I have learned that caring for children requires patience and putting their needs before my own. My experiences working with children have also taught me that sometimes helping someone means meeting them where they are. Not every child communicates, learns, or expresses their feelings in the same way. I try to be patient and pay attention to what a child is trying to communicate instead of expecting them to adjust to me. I believe this is an important form of selflessness because it requires me to put aside my own expectations and focus on what another person needs. I have also learned that being there for people in my personal life can be just as important. When someone I care about is struggling, I try to be someone they can talk to without feeling judged. Sometimes helping someone does not require having the perfect advice. Sometimes it means listening, checking in, or simply reminding them that they are not alone. As I continue my education and prepare to become a teacher, I want selflessness to be an important part of the educator I become. Teaching requires putting the needs of students first and making sure every child feels valued. I want to be the person who notices when a child needs extra encouragement, celebrates their accomplishments, and makes sure they know someone believes in them. To me, selflessness is choosing to care, even when no one is watching, and I hope to carry that value with me throughout my career and my life.

If I were working with a child like Rebecca, my first goal would be to get to know the child as an individual. I would not want to focus only on what the child cannot do. I would want to learn about their personality, interests, strengths, likes, dislikes, and the things that make them happy. Rebecca’s story shows how important it is for educators to take the time to truly understand the child they are working with. Her teachers were successful because they found ways to communicate with her and used what they learned about her to create meaningful goals and experiences. Because Rebecca was non-verbal, communication would be one of my biggest priorities. I would explore different ways for the child to communicate, such as gestures, pictures, sign language, visual supports, or an augmentative and alternative communication device, depending on the child’s individual needs. I am also pursuing a minor in American Sign Language, so I hope to use what I learn to help make communication more accessible for the children I work with. I would never assume that a child who cannot speak has nothing to say. Every child has thoughts, feelings, ideas, and preferences, and I believe it is my responsibility as an educator to find ways to help them express those things. I would also use the child’s interests to make learning exciting. If a child loves music, I might incorporate songs, instruments, and movement into learning activities. If they enjoy animals, I could use animals in counting, reading, science, or art activities. I believe children are more engaged when learning connects to something they already enjoy. I would also work closely with other professionals, such as speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and other educators, so that we could support the whole child together. I believe family plays an extremely important role in the education and progress of a child with a disability. Families know their children in ways that educators cannot always see in a classroom. They know what makes their child comfortable, what they enjoy, how they communicate at home, and what strategies work best for them. I would want to build a strong relationship with each child’s family and make sure their knowledge and ideas are included when making educational decisions. I am pursuing Elementary Education with a Birth–Kindergarten focus and Special Education because I want to work with young children and help every child feel included, capable, and valued. My goal is to become a kindergarten teacher who can support children with a variety of abilities in an inclusive classroom. I want my students to know that having a disability does not define what they are capable of accomplishing. I have experience working with young children through babysitting and my education experiences, and my college coursework has given me opportunities to learn more about child development, inclusive education, and creating meaningful learning experiences. These experiences have strengthened my desire to work with children and have shown me how important it is to meet each child where they are. Paying for college is also a significant responsibility for me. I do not receive financial help from my family for college and have had to take responsibility for paying for my education myself. Scholarships are important to me because they would help reduce the financial pressure of earning my degree and allow me to focus more on my education and preparing for my future career. I am committed to completing my degree and becoming an educator who makes a positive difference in the lives of children and their families.

As a future teacher, I want my classroom to be a place where children are excited to learn and where learning feels like something they get to experience rather than something they have to do. I believe young children learn best when they are given opportunities to play, explore, ask questions, use their imagination, and make choices. My goal is to create a classroom where students are excited to come to school because they know they will have opportunities to discover something new every day. One way I plan to creatively engage my students is through play-based and hands-on learning. Instead of relying mostly on worksheets or having students sit and listen for long periods of time, I want to create experiences where they can actively participate. For example, if we were learning about numbers, I could create a pretend grocery store where students could “shop” for items, count objects, sort food, and practice using numbers. If we were learning about letters and sounds, students could go on a classroom scavenger hunt to find objects that begin with a certain sound. Activities like these allow children to practice important skills while also making learning fun and meaningful. I also want to use my students’ interests to guide the way I teach. Every child is different, and something that excites one student may not interest another. If a student loves dinosaurs, I could incorporate dinosaurs into counting, writing, reading, science, or art activities. If another student loves building, I could use blocks to teach shapes, patterns, measurement, or problem-solving. By connecting learning to things children already care about, I hope to make new concepts easier for them to understand and more exciting to explore. Giving students choices will also be an important part of my classroom. I want children to have opportunities to choose materials, activities, books, or ways to show what they have learned. I believe children become more engaged when they feel like their ideas and choices matter. I want to listen to my students and pay attention to what makes them curious. Most importantly, I want to create a classroom where children feel comfortable being themselves. I want my students to know that asking questions, making mistakes, and trying something new are all important parts of learning. I will celebrate their ideas and encourage them to keep exploring even when something does not work the first time. My goal as a teacher is not only to help my students learn academic skills, but to help them develop a genuine love for learning. I want them to leave my classroom feeling proud of themselves, excited about what they discovered, and ready to see what they can learn next.

I have wanted to become a teacher since I was in fifth grade. Even at a young age, I knew there was something special about being around children and watching them learn new things. I have always loved their imagination, curiosity, and excitement when they discover something for the first time. As I have gotten older, my reasons for wanting to teach have become even stronger. I want to be a teacher because I want to make children feel important, supported, and proud of who they are. I want my classroom to be a place where children feel safe to ask questions, make mistakes, be themselves, and enjoy learning. Two teachers who have had a major impact on my life are my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Thompson, and my first-grade teacher, Mrs. Stuck. They are two of the biggest reasons I became interested in teaching young children. When I think back to being in their classrooms, I remember how welcomed and cared for I felt. They made learning enjoyable and created an environment where I felt comfortable being myself. Although I was only their student for one year each, the impact they had on me lasted much longer. What makes their impact even more meaningful is that years later, I had the opportunity to student-teach with both of them during high school. I was able to see them from a completely different perspective. Instead of only being their student, I was able to watch them teach, interact with their students, solve problems, and create meaningful learning experiences. Being able to learn from the same teachers who had inspired me when I was younger made me even more certain that teaching was the career I wanted to pursue. Those experiences taught me that being a teacher is about much more than teaching reading, writing, or math. Teachers have the opportunity to become an important part of a child’s life. A teacher can be the person who encourages a child when they are struggling, celebrates their accomplishments, or helps them believe in themselves. I want to have that kind of impact on my future students. I am currently pursuing a degree in Elementary Education with a Birth–Kindergarten focus and a minor in American Sign Language. My goal is to become a kindergarten teacher. I hope to create a classroom where every child feels valued and excited to come to school. I want to help children discover their interests, build confidence, and develop a love for learning that they can carry with them throughout their education. Most importantly, I hope to become the kind of teacher that my students remember years later, just as I still remember Mrs. Thompson and Mrs. Stuck.

As a young child, becoming a teacher has always been my dream. As opposed to many other people at my age, who had their ambitions change several times before finally settling on a career path, mine has never wavered. Indeed, with time it has turned from a mere ambition into a passion. I have always enjoyed teaching, particularly early childhood education, teaching kindergarten, since it is during these stages that children begin understanding themselves and the environment around them. My interest and enthusiasm in pursuing this course have developed from various aspects, one of which is the fact that I enjoy children immensely. Children are very innocent and fresh-minded individuals, and watching them discover the environment around them is quite an eye-opener. Their innocence is reflected in the manner in which they approach problems and answer questions raised in class by using their creative skills such as making drawings or telling stories during playtime. Another aspect of teaching that resonates with me is the importance of fostering self-confidence among the youngest learners. Kindergarten marks one of the first opportunities for children to gain independence and shape their identities; thus, kindergarten teachers can make a significant contribution to their students' future success. As an educator, I am dedicated to creating a welcoming, caring environment in which each child feels appreciated, valued, and confident in themselves. It is vital for students to acquire academic skills and knowledge along with realizing their significance and capabilities as well as developing respect towards their peers. One more aspect of teaching that I appreciate is the ability to contribute to my students' achievements. The moment of comprehension when a student suddenly understands a certain topic or learns a word for the first time is very important to me. I consider it a great honor to facilitate the acquisition of academic material by children and encourage their success in the learning process. I also think that learning experiences at an early age influence how one will view education for the rest of his life. When a person has an enjoyable experience of learning in kindergarten, they will become interested in school and feel good about themselves and their capacities. This is what I would like to contribute to society. I would like to give my children the joy and enthusiasm about learning and make them enjoy the process rather than being scared of school. In conclusion, I would like to say that it was my love to children and the desire to help them grow into healthy personalities which led me to choose early childhood education as my specialization and future profession. Becoming a teacher of kindergarten has always been my dream, and I have always wanted to contribute to a better tomorrow by working with the youngest people.

My interest in becoming a teacher began when I was very young, largely because of the positive experiences I had with my own teachers. My kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Thompson, and my first-grade teacher, Mrs. Stuck, both had a huge impact on me and played an important role in shaping my love for school. They created classrooms that felt welcoming, encouraging, and full of excitement for learning. As a young student, I remember feeling supported and motivated because of the way they believed in their students and celebrated our progress. Their patience, kindness, and dedication made school a place where I felt comfortable asking questions and trying new things. Looking back now, I realize how much those early teachers influenced my attitude toward learning and education. They showed me how meaningful a teacher’s role can be in a child’s life and inspired me to want to create that same kind of environment for future students. My passion for teaching continued to grow when I had the opportunity to participate in student teaching during my sophomore, junior, and senior years of high school. One of the most meaningful parts of this experience was being able to return to the classrooms of the teachers who first inspired me. I was able to student teach with Mrs. Thompson and Mrs. Stuck, which made the experience even more special. Being back in those classrooms, but now as someone helping the teacher instead of being the student, gave me a new perspective on the dedication and effort that goes into teaching every day. I was able to assist students with their work, help with classroom activities, and observe the ways these teachers supported and encouraged their students. Watching them teach again reminded me why I admired them so much when I was younger. Seeing the excitement on a student’s face when they finally understand something or accomplish a goal is incredibly rewarding, and those moments confirmed for me that teaching is the career I want to pursue. I am especially interested in becoming a kindergarten teacher because the early years of school are such an important time in a child’s development. Kindergarten is often a child’s first introduction to school, and the experiences they have during that time can shape how they feel about learning in the future. I want to create a classroom where students feel safe, supported, and excited to come to school each day. My goal is to help young learners build a strong academic foundation while also developing confidence, curiosity, and a love for learning. Just like Mrs. Thompson and Mrs. Stuck did for me, I hope to encourage my students, celebrate their achievements, and help them believe in their abilities. Teaching is more than just a career choice for me, it is an opportunity to give back and make a positive difference in the lives of young learners during one of the most important stages of their lives.

I really care about special education because I believe learning isn't just about good grades; it's about helping people see how valuable they are. My English teacher in my junior year of high school really made me realize something when she said that teaching is about helping students find their own sense of presence. It's a powerful thought, I think. Feeling truly present is like knowing, deep down, that you matter, that people listen when you speak, and that you totally get who you are. It's realizing your thoughts, what you can do, and even just being here, all truly matter. This idea really matters in special education, because kids there often get labeled by what they struggle with instead of who they truly are. It's tough for a lot of students with special needs because school can sometimes make them feel even more different or like they're not good enough, even when nobody means for that to happen. When we’re always looking at labels, what everyone else expects, and comparing ourselves, it’s easy to lose sight of our own growth. When we focus too much on what a student struggles with instead of what they're good at, they can start to feel invisible. I really think that what special education is truly all about is helping kids see that they matter and that they have a real place in school. When you help special needs students recognize they are here, genuinely seeing them is the first step. Being present kicks off when a student feels truly respected for who they are, rather than simply being looked at by a diagnosis or some kind of limitation. It's about understanding that intelligence, communication, and success can look totally different for everyone.When kids get to show what they know and how they feel in ways that make sense for them; like talking, writing, moving around, making art, or using other ways to communicate, it really helps them feel good about sharing their thoughts. To help students really feel like they're present, we can give them more say in what they do and how they do it. When students get to call some of the shots in their learning, they start to grasp that they're really part of the action, not just sitting there soaking it all in. Just making little choices, like picking how you'll finish a task or figuring out your own goals, can really help you get to know yourself better and feel more independent. These little moments really show students they have a say, making them feel like what they do and like actually counts. It's really important to start looking at what we're good at, instead of always dwelling on our weaknesses. Every student has special talents that should be noticed. When it comes to special education, even the tiniest bit of headway is a big deal, and acknowledging that can really change things over time. When you actually see your hard work get noticed, it starts to really sink in that you're capable and feel good about what you've done. This helps them really get who they are, not just by grades, but also to build a stronger sense of identity. "I really believe in supporting students with special needs, and it all comes from a place of caring and respect." I really think education should help people figure out who they are and find their place in the world. We need to make sure students feel like they belong and can do things well. That's how they'll truly experience feeling present. It's about showing them they're not invisible, that what they go through and how they see things really matters. What really gets me excited about special ed is how it uplifts everyone. It's truly about being present, helping people see how valuable they are, and that they're really worth paying attention to. Special education really helps kids learn to feel good about themselves and connect with others. It teaches them about understanding, being patient, and accepting everyone, which sticks with them long after they leave school.

My name is Sophia Sergent, and I am currently a senior in high school. I have a deep passion for photography, crafts, hiking, and pretty much anything that gets me outdoors. Growing up in Grand Blanc, I have spent my entire life exploring the beautiful surroundings of my hometown. Although I haven't traveled out of state very often, whenever I do, I make it a point to try every new experience I can. From visiting new places to trying different activities, I love immersing myself in new environments. Another passion of mine is working with children. Ever since I started babysitting at the age of 12, I have been fascinated by the joy and curiosity that children bring to the world. There's something incredibly special about seeing the smiles on their faces and watching how their minds work. This passion has driven my desire to become a teacher, a dream I've had since I was in the fifth grade. Although I have occasionally been concerned about the challenges and financial aspects of teaching, my love for working with kids has always brought me back to this career path. Throughout high school, I have been fortunate enough to take a teacher cadet class starting from my sophomore year. This experience has only solidified my passion for teaching. Walking into the classroom and hearing the kids excitedly yell my name and run up to me is one of the most amazing feelings in the world. It reassures me that I am on the right path and doing something meaningful. My goal is to become a kindergarten teacher because I want to be the one to kickstart children's educational journeys. I believe that the early years of education are crucial in shaping a child's attitude toward learning. By creating a fun and engaging environment, I hope to show children that school can be an enjoyable and enriching experience. I want to instill a love for learning in them while ensuring they acquire the necessary skills and knowledge. In addition to my passion for teaching, I am also committed to personal growth and development. I constantly seek opportunities to enhance my skills and knowledge. Whether it's attending workshops, reading educational books, or participating in professional development courses, I am dedicated to becoming the best teacher I can be. I believe that continuous learning is essential in providing the best education for my future students. Looking ahead, I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. I am determined to make a positive impact on the lives of children and contribute to their growth and development. Teaching is not just a profession for me; it is a calling. I am eager to embark on this journey and create a nurturing and inspiring classroom environment where every child feels valued and motivated to learn.