Lorrie Colichio
My entire adult life has lead me in the direction of educating children. Through my 4 daughters' academic careers, I have been exposed to the education system on many levels. Volunteering within their schools allowed me to witness teacher's assistants, teachers, administrators, board of education members and parents points of views as well as the responsibilities of each in a child's life.
I now have the pleasure of working for a local preschool and toddler program where I started 2 1/2 years ago as a teacher's assistant in their toddler program. Today I am the preschool's coordinator. I have always felt that due to my lack of a degree, my employment options were limited. I proved to my employer that through my life's experiences, both personal and work related, that I am more than capable to run a successful program. I know, however, that without a degree my advancement is stalled.
I have recently obtained participation in a grant funded program with our school district. This will enable our preschool to grow in leaps and bounds. We suffered a loss of enrollment due to the school district's program and now that we are participants, our other programs are more exposed and we now have a waiting list.
I want to be able to do for our school district what I have done for this small preschool. The program that they run is very unorganized and without leadership. So many children would benefit if there were a person with the sole responsibility of the success of this program and what it could provide to the children of our district. I know that I can be that person but, again, without the degree to back me, my chances are slim.
An Associate's Degree would act as my stepping stone and help me obtain a position that that would benefit so many children for many years to come. Because of my family and work schedules, an online course would allow me the freedom to obtain this degree and then go on to further my education.
Thank you for your considering me for this scholarship.