Theresa Foster
Life is way too short to not reach for your goals. I have spent the last 20 plus years raising 4 beautiful children into healthy young adults at the same time, enjoying my 2 grandchildren. However, there comes a time when you have to tell yourself - "it's your turn" and that is exactly what I plan on doing.
I gave up the chance to attend college in my younger years, for the sake and well-being of my children. I was a stay-at-home mom for a few years, but as we all know, the costs to maintaining a household and raising children eventually requires a two-income household.
I went back to work full-time when my second child was just over a year old and have been working ever since. So much has changed in this world and my eyes were certainly opened, especially for the pasts few years. Children of this current generation have so much opportunity, but yet they squander it away and instead spend their time in destructive behavior and I've seen that it is sadly encouraged by their parents. I wonder to myself what can I do to help these children BEFORE they reach this point? If I could spend a year in their early formative years to help mold them and show them a different way, then maybe, just maybe, they will make better choices further down the road.
The only way I know how is to reach for my lifelong goal to teach elementary education, specifically 3rd grade and under. My desires lie in teaching underprivileged children in schools most people would prefer to stay away from. I truly believe that one person can make a difference in a child's life. I believe that every child should have the same opportunities no matter whom they are or where they are from. Every child is a special gift with unlimited potential to do what is right and good in this world.
Whether I receive this scholarship or not, I will still pursue my degree through online studies. Unfortunately, with our current economy, quitting a full-time job to pursue an education is just not feasible. However, continuing to work full-time and still pursue my dream is possible through online education. Online education is flexible enough that it can work around my schedule, at home and at work. I am so thankful that the opportunity to earn a degree online is given to each of us.
I could sit here and continue writing until I reach the 1500 word limit, but in reality, its not what we put on paper, its what we are willing to give of ourselves to help each other!