Official Project Working Mom Blog : Ashford University

Project Working Mom Scholarship Winner - Richard Shields

Victoria — Fri, 29 May 2009 09:08:00 GMT

Richard Shields

BA/Teacher Certification Program
Ashford University

Thank you for this opportunity.

My earliest ideas of what I considered my ideal career all revolved around heroics; that is, I wanted to be a hero. I wanted to pull people from burning vehicles, save lives and catch the bad guy. As I write today considering this great opportunity, I cannot tell you that my desire to be a hero has changed. I can tell you that years of experience, the blessing of five children and a wonderful wife, and maturing in my faith have definitely changed my idea of what a hero is and does.

A hero is generally defined as "a person of distinguished courage or ability admired for their brave deeds and noble qualities."

This is a fair representation of how I thought I wanted my resume to look. As a senior in high school I obtained my Emergency Medical Technician’s license through the state and began to explore careers in the emergency services. I soon learned that physical labor would pay me a living wage but would not provide the extra finances needed to enable me to pursue further education. Like many young men, I spent a season working these types of jobs, dabbling in school from time to time. When I was able to find the resources to take classes, I would do well, but the mountain ahead of me always seemed too high to climb and my dreams remained out of reach. Then something happened that caused me to rethink the direction I wanted my life to take.

In December, 1997 I met Elizabeth. After a whirlwind courtship we married marriage six months later. With the responsibilities of marriage and thinking of a family, I knew that something had to change. I began to reconsider my childhood dreams in a career search that would bring me to where I am today. When news of our first pregnancy settled in I knew that my job of delivering furniture was not where I had hoped to be when I began a family. I needed things like medical benefits and a retirement plan. An ad in the paper for a records clerk at the local sheriff’s office caught my eye. The pay was more than I was making at the time and there were great benefits. I could see a light ahead, a future. I was excited about a career where advancement was possible and I remembered how I had always longed to work in the emergency services. After completing the process of interviews, polygraph and drug testing, and extensive background investigation I was offered employment, and I experienced a pride I had rarely had occasion to enjoy.

My first day of employment was four days before our first daughter would make her way into our world. I was given a few days off and then it was back to learning the world of law enforcement. I loved it and it showed. In eight months I was promoted to emergency dispatcher and two years later I was promoted to corrections deputy. I was eventually sponsored to attend a police academy and before long I was living my dream. I was speeding down the road with lights and sirens on, helping people and doing something I didn't all at once recognize: maturing. My ideas of what a hero was began to change. With that change came something I did not expect. While doing routine patrols at the local elementary school, I began to find myself talking with the kids, looking for opportunities to pass on wisdom. By this time we were preparing for the birth of our third child and our older two children were starting to express interest in sports. This brought me to our local recreation center to sign up my son for youth soccer, and was a turning point in my life.

It came in the form of a conversation with an overworked recreation director. I was told, "Sir, your child will not be able to play soccer. Unfortunately, we have more interest than available coaches — unless of course you would like to volunteer…"

I had never played soccer and never imagined that I was qualified to coach soccer. One look from my son, and yet another from my wife and I found myself the new head coach of the "Orange Team."

I walked out of the recreation center with a bag of soccer balls and scratching my head wondering what had just happened. I had never coached anything before. I had been told I had an affinity for teaching, especially children and young adults. As I coached these kids, however, I felt a passion that I had yet to feel even as a police officer. I loved what I was doing. I was not getting paid monetarily, yet I felt such pride when we won games and even when we lost. The feeling I would get at the local grocery store as a young child would walk by and say "Hi Coach!" with a bright smile hit a nerve with me that few things ever had. My wife recognized what was happening and suggested I return to school to become a teacher and coach. She had no idea I was already dreaming of just that. Fortunately the time I had spent away from school had yielded some great advances for the working adult deciding to return to school.

There were now classes being offered that were entirely online. What a wonderful opportunity for working adults like me! At this point, I was back working in emergency dispatch because it afforded me more flexible hours and the ability to return to school, as well as some "down time," along with Internet access, should I choose to work the overnight shift.

As many have experienced, working and going to school full-time can be a challenge. However, my love for school and learning new and exciting things have been only exceeded by my love and excitement for passing the knowledge on to young minds. An online education, I have found, is ideal for me. Idealism aside, it is really my only option for ongoing education and I am thankful for its existence. I will continue to be a proponent of online education as long as I have a voice.

I am now a thirty-four-year-old father of five, and I find that our lives more interesting than I ever could have imagined. I am proud to say that I have continued to perfect my coaching skills and have been offered paid coaching positions through our local recreation centers has a head baseball, softball and soccer coach. I learn and research more everyday and I am having the time of my life doing so.

I continue to dream of the pinnacle of being a classroom teacher with a degree in education, and of being able to coach and mold young minds. I yearn be able to teach values like integrity and honor. I desire to be able to pass along factual knowledge, and to live a life worthy of a young person’s admiration, especially those within my family and community. Although working to provide for our family takes a lot of time, it is the financial difficulty that makes continuing my education the hardest. This financial difficulty combined with the most sincere desire to help educate children is why I humbly ask for your consideration in making my dream a reality. With a degree I will have the academic credentials to obtain a teaching job, and the opportunity to fulfill my dream of being a hero — a teacher.

Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Project Working Mom Scholarship Winner - Jacklyn Schmetzer

Victoria — Fri, 29 May 2009 09:07:00 GMT

Jacklyn Schmetzer

BA/Organizational Management — Elementary Education
Ashford University

My name is Jacklyn Schmetzer. I am a 47-year-old working mom to three children. I attended college in 1980 but financial circumstances required me to withdraw after the first year. While unfortunate, I have found life since then has taken me on a path much different than what I envisioned at the time. Despite this educational setback, I was able to secure a position within a large corporation. I progressed quickly, eventually gaining a position as a Buyer.

During this time I met and married my husband. Soon after our marriage, my husband lost his job and needed to return to school. I spent the next two years working to support both of us. As he neared graduation, I became pregnant with our oldest child.

During my pregnancy my husband was offered a position in another state, requiring us to relocate. I was experiencing a difficult pregnancy and was unable to work. Once our daughter was born, I began an in-home daycare which I operated for a total of nine years. It did not generate much income but allowed me to stay home with my children, which was very important to me. In 1998, after numerous lay-offs related to corporate downsizing, my husband was offered a job in yet another state. I was forced to close my daycare and for awhile was able to be a stay at home mom.

As a mother, I have been actively involved in all aspects of my children's lives. I am an active community member and have spent numerous volunteer hours working on behalf of all children. I spent eight years coaching Little League baseball and served two years as Umpire in Chief for the league's Board of Directors. As Umpire in Chief, I instituted a Junior Umpire Program which provided local youth employment opportunities otherwise not available to them. Coaching Little League initially proved to be quite difficult. I was the only woman coaching in what was considered to be a man's sport. Despite the difficulties I encountered, I stuck it out in interest of teaching my children how to overcome problems they may experience. I used my knowledge of the sport to prove I deserved to be coaching, regardless of my sex. Eventually, I won the men of the league over. Today, they do not think twice about seeing me on the field; but more importantly, I taught the youth of our community that anyone is capable of doing whatever they chose to do.

As a mother who believes in education, I spent numerous volunteer hours at my children's schools. I began by assisting their teachers in whatever capacity they needed. When we moved to Virginia in 1998, it was to an area experiencing rapid growth in both population and infrastructure. Since my children would be entering a brand new school, I decided it would be important for me to do what I could to ensure its success. Thus began my years as a PTO board member. I served as the Vice President of Fundraising in the first school and learned a lot about school boards. Two short years later, we opened another new elementary school where I served as the inaugural PTO President. During my second year, the Principal of our school offered me a position as a Special Education Teaching Assistant. Oddly, it was not one I thought about pursing prior to his offer. Thankfully, he convinced me to take the position.

Today, I am ever so grateful for the opportunity to work in the field of special education for it is truly my calling. For the last seven years, I have worked with students whose challenges range from mild learning disabilities to Autism and Down Syndrome. I cannot put into words how I feel at the end of each day. The perseverance these students display despite their educational difficulties is truly inspiring. The light in their eyes and the smile on their face when they accomplish something they have worked so hard to achieve is unexplainable. Each day is a reward unto itself.

As with all I have done, I have exceeded my defined duties as a Teaching Assistant and often spend extra time assisting all students within the classrooms I work. I tutor after school and am often requested by parents to work with their child during the summer for ESY (Extended School Year). I taught ESY for over five years and was the only Teaching Assistant who taught it. Unfortunately, last summer, the county decided to reduce my ESY pay because I was not a certified teacher. The pay decrease amounted to 60 percent of what I made per hour. It was like a punch in the stomach. After all, I worked hard and was very successful with the students I taught; proof of that laid in the number of special requests for my time. However, the fact remained that I was only an assistant, not a certified teacher. If I wanted to continue to teach ESY, I was forced to accept the pay decrease yet continue to perform as I have always performed. The bottom line was that as a working mom I could not afford to work during the summer at the reduced rate.

Ironically, the ESY issue taught me a valuable lesson. It taught me to take a hard look at what I did, how much I love what I do, how successful I am at it, and how little I make. As a Teaching Assistant, I currently earn less than a livable wage and by finishing my degree I could advance my standard of living. This helped me to realize I would make an amazing teacher. I wanted to go back to school, but was afraid I was too old and my life too busy to spend time in a classroom.

It took a medical scare to finally realize it was now time to put myself first. I have given so much of my time to my family and community that I did not know if I could add school to my list, let alone pay for it. However, after some research and an unexpected conversation with an enrollment officer from Ashford University, I learned that I could. They allowed me to start right away, even though my financial paperwork was still in progress. I never believed I could be an active mom, work a full-time job, and be a full-time student all at the same time. In fact, it is thanks to the online educational opportunity available through Ashford that I have been able to succeed at all three. Unfortunately, the current economy is making my less than livable wage difficult to manage. As much as I love my position, I cannot afford to continue earning this type of wage. My goal is to earn my teaching degree and to become a Special Education Teacher. Many question why I chose special education as opposed to general education. The reason is simple. It is because I am fortunate enough to go home everyday and know the impact I have made on the students I work with. It is also due to the thank you note I received from a student two years ago which simply stated "Thank you for understanding me."

Earning my teaching degree will enable me to continue receiving such rewards.

The Ashford online program allows me to persevere through countless long days and nights as I work towards making my goal a reality. I know without a doubt, that I could not afford the time to return to school in a traditional setting.

Regardless of the educational success I have achieved to date, the fear of mounting debt is quite a burden, especially given my current salary. I have wanted to double up my classes since returning to school but have not been able to afford another student loan. Becoming a recipient of The Working Mom Scholarship would ensure that I can continue my education without incurring a greater pool of debt. I know that I have had a tremendous impact on children I have worked with over the years. My time spent volunteering within the community and working with children both on the field and in the classroom have been truly rewarding. As difficult as it has been to put myself first, I know that now it is time for me to take care of myself. I may be 47, but I still have a lot of life to live and lessons to teach. In fact, by continuing my education at this stage of my life I am teaching those around me the value of life long learning and that it is never too late to earn a degree. Winning this scholarship will help me to not only achieve my degree, it will allow me to earn the salary I deserve. Thank you for your consideration.

Project Working Mom Scholarship Winner - Terry Satchell

Victoria — Fri, 29 May 2009 09:06:00 GMT

Terry Satchell

MBA/Healthcare Administration
Ashford University

Why Getting an Advanced Degree Is Important to Me

I was raised the youngest of five children by a single mom, as my father died when I was four years old. From a very early age, I remember my family working to help others. Either by being members of local volunteer fire departments or having jobs that required being available twenty-four hours a day. If someone needed assistance, all they had to do was ask. That was instilled in all of us from the very beginning.

When I turned eighteen in 1981, I joined the local volunteer fire department. Within a very short time, I began riding the ambulance and enjoyed it. I became an emergency medical technician, EMT, and gave many hours to my community. In 1985, when it was time for our organization to advance to the next level of emergency medical service, EMS, I entered the program to become an EMT-paramedic. Going to school nights and all day on weekends to complete our classes to become certified. Our instructors were the doctors and nurses within the hospital. Our small group of seven paramedics, once certified, was the first in a seven county area on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

I have worked several full time jobs as a paramedic working for a small town, mid-size town and a hospital. I worked from staff positions to management positions all the time knowing that if I wanted to advance in my career I needed an education. I completed my Associate Degree in Allied Health in 1998, seventeen years after graduating from high school. Going to college nights and weekends, taking one course at a time, toward my degree. But still, I was not satisfied I wanted more.

In 1998, after talking to my wife, who is a nurse, and my college advisor, I entered the nursing program, one of only five males in a class of forty females. I continued to work full time and go to class at the same time for the next two years. In 2000, I graduated with my Associate's degree in Nursing Science and passed the exam to become a registered nurse. Graduating, only two of the original men in the class.

As a nurse, I began working in the intensive care unit of the local hospital. I wanted to work in the ICU because I liked working with the challenging patients. I enjoyed the technology of working with truly sick patients and working with a great group of nurses and doctors. Every day there was a new challenge.

I also have worked with a team to develop a new computer documentation system for the hospitals. The team worked in phases to develop an electronic medical record for reviewing of data that had been collected on patients, such as lab values, diagnostic reports, pervious hospital admission reports and other valuable data. The second phase was the paperless documentation of care by all staff and physicians. I worked with the team to develop the screens that the staff members would see on the computer. Then the team would have to educate and support the staff about the computer system and be available to assist and answer questions.

I currently am working as an educator. I coordinate all of the American Heart Association programs for both of my hospitals and the local EMS community. I am responsible for 150 instructors for programs such as basic life support, advanced cardiac life support and pediatric advanced life support.

As a male in nursing, I represent only 5 percent of the total number of nurses. Males make up only 5 percent of the nursing population in the United States. In Maryland, males make up a total of 10 percent of the nursing population.

Nevertheless, to advance as a nurse you need an education. Not just a Bachelor's degree but a Master's degree. I received my Bachelor's degree, BSN, in 2005. While working towards my BSN, I achieved a grade point average of 3.75 and graduated Magna *** Laude. I was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society for Nursing.

Now I am setting my sights on a Master's degree in nursing education or health system management. Striving towards a position in nursing administration, trying to make a difference as a nursing leader that has worked from the most basic level up to the top. Coming from the eighteen-year-old advanced first aid kid in the ambulance all the way up to hospital administrator. Having a very different prospective than most administrators. As a forty-five year old father of two young boys, I am working to instill the same qualities in them. They both play baseball. My wife and I are both volunteering on the Board of Directors. She has been the president for the past three years and the secretary this year. I am the Safety Officer for the Board as well as a coach and umpire. Therefore, they are seeing us being active in the community as volunteers and working with kids of all ages.

I am also involved with an organization known as Talbot Partnership. They are involved with drug and alcohol awareness for kids in the community. I am a member of the Board of Directors. We are trying to educate the community on the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. Trying to change the "norm" of teenagers to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes and experiment with drugs.

I am interested in an online program because of having a very busy lifestyle. My family is very important to me and there is no Masters degree programs offered near where we live. So to do a program that requires going to class on a weekly basis would mean driving a great distance to Baltimore, Washington, DC, or Wilmington, DE. To drive to those places would mean at least one and a half hours each direction; attend class and then one and a half hours home. With an online program, I could complete work evenings after the boys are in bed and weekends. I could continue to work full-time and provide the income that our family requires.

My fire departments motto is "Service for Others." I believe that I live that motto everyday. I am interested in financial support that will allow me to obtain my Masters degree. I would like to further my education and to continue to give back to my community and my profession. I want to raise two young men that will not take twenty years to get their degrees and will give to their communities as much as my wife and I do.

Project Working Mom Scholarship Winner - Cecilia Portugal

Victoria — Fri, 29 May 2009 09:05:00 GMT

Cecilia Portugal

BA/Early Childhood Education
Ashford University

I came to this country alone five years ago from Peru.

In Peru I worked as a teacher's assistant while I studied Child Development. When I was twenty-four I dreamed of coming to the United States to make a better future for myself and my family. To prepare myself for life in the U.S., I spent two years taking classes in English, driving, cooking, massage, and cosmetology so that I would have alternative employment options if needed.

I left Peru when I was twenty-six, bringing with me many hopes and dreams. My decision to migrate to the U.S. was very difficult for my parents to accept, but as always, they gave me their love and support. My parents are an important inspiration in my life. My father grew up in an indigenous community in the Peruvian mountains, illiterate and without even speaking Spanish. To better himself, he started studying, first to become a professor, then a lawyer, until he became a judge. As a judge, he has dedicated himself to helping the poorest and most vulnerable communities, and despite widespread corruption, my father has remained straight and honest. At the age of sixty-six, he still serves an indigenous community in the rainforest.

My father has taught me that we can achieve great things if we study and work hard to achieve them, and from him I have inherited the desire to help others. Upon arriving in San Francisco, I started working as a babysitter but I knew I had the potential for something more, so I found work at Katherine Michiels School as a preschool teacher. In the three years I have been working at KMS, I have directed various projects. Every year I teach the children new dances and songs in Spanish which they perform at the annual fundraiser. I also teach Spanish and art, and have organized art shows to present the students' art. I directed the kindergarten summer program three years in a row. I offer counseling to parents who are having trouble with their children and I resolve conflicts between students according to the philosophy of the school. Most importantly, I always give my best and do my job with love and dedication.

Life here has not been so easy. In order to support myself all alone and send money to my family, I have to work forty-five hours or more a week at KMS as well as babysit nights and weekends. I have realized that the only way I will be able to improve my situation is to keep studying, which is why I started taking classes at City College.

My biggest dream is to be able to resume my studies full time and finish my career as an elementary school teacher because I have always loved teaching. As a bilingual teacher I believe I can help immigrant Latino children by being able to communicate with them in Spanish, instead of allowing language to be a barrier for them to learn and develop normally, condemning them to fall behind.

One day I dream of using my education and experience to make a difference in the poorest communities of Peru. I dream of going to the indigenous communities in the mountains and building a non-profit educational center that would not only be a hub of learning, but also the beginning of a better future for the community. I would like to work with the women of the mountains and teach them that they are the most important teacher in the lives of their children. I believe that as they involve themselves in the intellectual development of their children and teach them to believe in themselves, they can contribute to creating a better future for their children and their community.

Finishing my education and becoming a teacher will mark an important achievement for myself and my family, as well as give me the opportunity to pursue my dream of helping others and making a difference in the world.

Project Working Mom Scholarship Winner - Donna Perry

Victoria — Fri, 29 May 2009 09:04:00 GMT

Donna Perry

BA/Psychology
Ashford University

Obtaining my degree is of paramount importance to me, more so now than ever before.

Six months ago my life was turned upside down when my husband of twenty-four years died. We have five children and he was the sole provider for our family. The financial consequences of his death are monumental to say the least. I no longer have income, medical, dental, vision, nor prescription benefits. I have always said that "everything that happens in life is either a lesson or a test" and his passing was both to me. The test, is how will I make it now without my husband, my provider, my protector, my friend? The lesson, is that every individual should be capable of providing for themselves. As much as I enjoyed staying at home with my children for many years, then working part-time, I needed a college education. If I had already acquired that degree, I would not be in the terrible situation that I am in now. This must change!

My life goals are just that, to have a life. At the present time, I barely exist but, I have just completed my first week of online classes at Ashford University and I am starting to feel the benefits. My dream of a college education, once dead and buried has been resurrected! For the first time in six months I feel hope, I feel that I will emerge from my dark cave into glorious light.

I want to live, I want to experience wonderful things, I want to descend the steps of the Pyramids in Egypt, and I want to take a dip in the Jordan River. I want to resume volunteering with children in foster care and operating my family literacy book club. I want to live and most of all I want to feel alive! My educational goals are to obtain my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Ashford University, my Master of Science in Psychology-Clinical Psychology from Capella University, and my Ph.D. in Psychology-Counseling Psychology (licensure) from Walden University. An excellent education is the foundation for a rewarding career, but as I researched the profession, I found it was just as important if not more important, where you obtained your education. It is crucial to me that I attend the best schools. I strive to be an exceptional student and I want my hard work and dedication to be rewarded by a degree from institutions, whose reputations are impressive in the field of Psychology.

My career goals are to open a center with my daughter Noelle, who is attending college and will become a Psychiatrist, and my sister Monique who has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. Our center will provide various psychological services and I will specialize in providing services to children in foster care, young adults transitioning from foster care to emancipation, and grief counseling. These three services are close to my heart because I have worked with this population for years through employment and volunteerism. They are the most vulnerable, yet abused segment of society. I absolutely love these children and have helped many. As heartbreaking as the situation is when you gain their trust, nothing is more rewarding. I will never let them down nor destroy that trust. In fact that is exactly how I lost my last job!

I was employed in an afterschool program working with some children that were in foster care. Most of them had learning disabilities, or differences I prefer to call them, and none were reading on grade level. Through love, respect, discipline and consistency, I developed a good rapport with my group. They knew that if Mrs. Perry said something, she was going to keep her word. We often faced challenges but my method was pivotal in transforming some of them.

On one Thursday my supervisor came to the school, and informed me that Friday (yes the next day) was my last day working at that site. One little boy said "Mrs. Perry you said you were going to be here all year and give us a party when school ends." Without hesitation I said "Does Mrs. Perry always keep her word? Can you trust Mrs. Perry?" They all shouted "yeah" and I told my supervisor "I quit." The children jumped for joy, my supervisor was shocked and I asked myself "what is your husband going to say?" My husband picked me up from work as usual on his way home from work. I explained the situation to my husband,told him that I had quit, but that I would do whatever was best for our family. He looked over at me and beamed his big beautiful smile and asked "since when could I tell you what to do?" and we both laughed.

So what did I do? I officially resigned, volunteered at the school every day, then at the end of the year I threw them the best party ever. I kept my word! Education will ultimately enable me to achieve my goals because it is the mechanism that will allow me to put my thoughts and dreams into action. People often seek my advice, even strangers. I always listen and respond, empathizing and encouraging them. I know that I am in the correct field and I love it. But the only guidance I can give someone now is from a spiritual and common sense perspective. Licensure will lend credence to everything I say to them, and it is their safeguard. My credentials will give me the opportunity to be employed at a higher wage and will allow me to provide for my children. This will afford me the chance to go and experience all of the wonderful places that I desire to visit. Education will provide me with the financial means to help others by becoming a foster mom. I want to feel that I have accomplished something great in my life.

Online education is not only the right choice for me, it is the only choice for me. In the past I have made several attempts to acquire a college education. Some of my obstacles have been lack of money, lack of transportation, and the most recent one was the school environment. Now, I know that I have been out of school for a very long time, but school or at least the students have undergone a drastic change! They were not only talking during lecture, but they were using profanity, talking on cell phones, texting, eating, sleeping, you name it they were probably doing it. I have never seen such a display of disrespect, rudeness and just downright disregard ever and I didn't want to deal with that on a daily basis. Going to school online not only eliminates undesirable behavior, it eliminates uncomfortable situations such as standing in front of the class giving speeches, working in groups, and asking for help. You can do all of these things without being embarrassed. It gives you time to have some success, figure things out and build up your self-esteem. When we go out into the real world, we will step out with boldness and confidence. Our online education will also be beneficial because it will make us computer efficient.

My children have always considered me their role model concerning my emotional intelligence (a term I learned in class). In addition to all that I have been through I suffer from Diabetes and Fibromyalgia. I am usually experiencing some sort of pain or illness throughout each day.

Now, I strive to be their role model in education. My husband and I instilled in them the importance of education, the rewards possible by having one, and the consequences of not obtaining one. I want to show them that not only can I talk-the-talk but I can surely walk-the-walk. I want to demonstrate that no matter how many obstacles, disappointments and hardships are forced upon you that a college education is still obtainable.

Even though I am 50 years old, recently widowed, unemployed, no home, unable to provide for my children, we are split up physically between relatives, (yet bound by our love). Even though most days I wake up in a despair that is all encompassing and the weight in my heart could crush boulders! My children don't even know they would be shocked to discover what I endure each day. Because I put on a happy face for them, I go through the motions for them, I support them, I encourage them, I console them, and I exist for them. I have lived my whole adult life putting everybody else first. All of my endeavors have been for someone else's benefit. Can't just this one little point in time be for me? I am a working mother, probably more so than many. I can do this, I must do this, and I will do this, because I AM ME! Thank you for your time and consideration.

Project Working Mom Scholarship Winner - Michael Kurilovitch

Victoria — Fri, 29 May 2009 09:03:00 GMT

Michael Kurilovitch

BA/Organizational Management — Elementary Education
Ashford University

For the past dozen years I have worked as a teaching assistant in the Niagara Falls City School District. I work with "inclusion" children — those identified with special needs but not entirely in need of a "special-ed" placement. Working one-on-one and in small groups, we sharpen their scholastic skills so that they are able to remain in a mainstream classroom and not fall further behind. It is a rewarding career, but one that I would like to explore in more depth, and that is why I am pursuing this scholarship opportunity. When I switched to teaching (after an 18-year career in journalism), my intention was to become a full-time classroom teacher (elementary). Unfortunately, several developments sidetracked that goal. Now I am hoping to finally complete my educational requirements and realize my long-time dream of teaching children.

My original career aspirations centered around journalism, and I thoroughly enjoyed my nearly two-decade run as a reporter with our local newspaper. Writing in-depth about problems ranging from child abuse to the problems inherent with poverty, to the injustices of the American court and legal system, I won numerous local, state and national awards for my work, including two prestigious Silver Gavel Awards from the American Bar Association. While my work afforded me some degree of satisfaction in terms of helping the underprivileged and the under-served, it was not until I began covering school issues that I truly realized my calling. I very much enjoyed going out into the schools and meeting young people and getting to see what drove them and inspired them; what bothered and frustrated them; what kept them going and kept them from succeeding. It was during this time that I began re-thinking what had once been a career aspiration, only to be dashed along the way — teaching.

I set out to do what I could with the limited educational background I possessed, and landed as a teaching assistant at G.J. Mann Elementary School. My intention was to complete my Bacehlor's and ultimately my Master's degrees and get my certification and my own classroom, but illness and other concerns sidetracked that goal. My wife was diagnosed with colon cancer and endured numerous surgeries and a protracted recovery…between my children and myself, we managed to see her through it, though, and recently she surpassed the five-year mark in her recovery. For that, we are eternally grateful. In that time, however, she has endured a couple of job layoffs, which has further contributed to the stress level in our household (in fact, she is currently facing yet another layoff).

Meanwhile, I was diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes (among other conditions) and continue to struggle with that affliction. Throughout all this, we have focused on keeping our two daughters on the straight-and-narrow and I am proud to report that one recently graduated *** Laude with her Bachelor's degree (in three years, no less!) and the other has started college and is enjoying thoroughly her pursuit of a career in the theatrical field. Of course, the monetary demands and the lingering threat of job loss due to the extremely uncertain economy hangs over us like another storm cloud, waiting to cast its wrath over our family.

It has been so long since I sat on the receiving side of a lecture, in a traditional classroom, that I doubt I could ever successfully return. Time constraints and the erosion of patience inevitable to aging have taken their toll on my ability to sit for extended periods, I am afraid. However, I have taken and enjoyed some online courses to further my training as a teaching assistant, and believe that would be an advantageous way for me to finally complete my education. Working on my own and at my own pace, I have excelled in character development and positive behavior courses designed to return respect and responsibility to our schools, while reducing the prevalence of bullying. I think you would find that the instructors of my on-line courses have enjoyed my participation and feedback and have considered me an excellent participant. That is why I believe I would be the perfect candidate for one of your scholarships. In fact, I have looked into numerous online colleges in the past, Ashford being at the top of my list, but had to quash those plans due to a lack of funding. That problem, of course, remains, and is the primary motivating factor for me to pursue this scholarship opportunity. It probably represents my best — and last — chance to ever complete my degree and get my own classroom. This is important to me because I desperately want to make a difference in the lives of young children, and while I feel I already do so (to some degree, anyway) in my current capacity, having my own classroom would offer a unique chance to maximize that impact on kids. I have lived through and experienced much in my life, be it a difficult childhood and the unexpected and premature death of my father, to the experience of having to go to work (nights) as a teen-ager to help my mother make ends meet, to the many unique experiences I enjoyed as an active, investigative reporter … I feel these experiences have all shaped me and given me unique perspective to offer to other children who may be enduring some of the same trials and tribulations I endured. Of course, I seek to better our children in one other important regard: their writing. My history gives me an extremely unique advantage in teaching children the importance of writing, and the enjoyment that can be achieved from doing it well. I must point out that I am currently trying to develop a series of books for children that explore the many genres of poetry and creative writing, while at the same time offering step-by-step guidance and instruction in the creative process. I think it is a desperately needed project, and one that could have an impact on nurturing and developing prospective writers. It truly is my passion, and I look forward to the chance to bring that enthusiasm to children, and in the process realize my lifelong goal.

In closing, I believe I am well-suited to this challenge and that my motivations are such that I would see this through to a successful, meaningful conclusion. I hope to get the chance to demonstrate to children — my own and otherwise — that education is important and essential and never-ending, and that it is never too late to pursue your dreams.

I would make a wonderful, caring teacher and believe that I would also serve as a unique role model of 21^st century perseverance, going back for my degree at mid-life. I now look forward to the chance to share my enthusiasm with a new generation of children and to impart to them the message that "you can if you want to." Thank you.

Project Working Mom Scholarship Winner - Gail Kenny

Victoria — Fri, 29 May 2009 09:02:00 GMT

Gail Kenny

BA/Communication Studies
Ashford University

"Finishing What I Started Means Far More Now"

By Gail Kenny

"You ought to do it," Eddie said, the first comment he'd made with conviction in our initial meeting. "You ought to finish."

Usually, I'm the one sharing the energy, the enthusiasm. Each day, in my work as a certified federal benefits planner, I talk to people with disabilities with various levels of desire for going back to work. Some of them want more than anything to work and stop relying on Social Security benefits. Others are there only because someone suggested they talk with me — at that moment, they don't envision themselves working ever again. My role isn't to tell them to work, but rather to open that door and explain the incentives Social Security offers beneficiaries trying to work with their disabilities. The last thing I expected was to be the target of a pep talk from Eddie myself.

Many times, I use my own personal experiences to build a bridge between a client and me. I've had a lot of different jobs. I grew up in the Midwest. I have a son who is nearly grown. But most often, I share that my husband became disabled three years ago due to an unforeseen heart issue, and I've been working two jobs ever since. "You can overcome any challenge when you set your mind to it," I tell them. "You can start over in a new field. You can open a business. You can go to school."

However, the one challenge I haven't been able to overcome is my failure to finish my degree. Financial issues ended my first attempt. Then there was the challenge of moving across the country and establishing myself in a career. Then, raising our son. At each interval, I expected I'd soon be able to finish. But life happened. A career change, a move, my husband's illness. Each time something occurred, my degree moved further out of my grasp.

In the past few years, I've realized that I have no idea how many doors I haven't passed through because of my unfinished degree. Just how many areas of work have I not pursued because they wouldn't be possible without a degree? How many opportunities have I missed because there were more qualified people with degrees ahead of me? When my son entered high school, I encouraged him to go on to college with statistics showing that people with degrees earn more over their lifetimes and have higher satisfaction with their lives. More than anything, I told him he needed to pursue a degree now, because it becomes much more difficult if one stops or waits.

"More difficult? Almost impossible" was the thought going through my head at those times. More than anything, I wanted him to get his degree before circumstances could get in his way as they had for me. When finances or academic struggles discouraged him, I told him, "Whatever it takes, we'll find a way."

I watched my husband's health slowly improve, even as he realized he would never be able to do the active management and hospitality jobs he had done for years. Instead of being discouraged, he entered a Vocational Rehabilitation program to start a new career. His counselor encouraged him to take a couple of classes and finish his Associate of Arts degree. I cheered as both guys took classes at the local community college in fall 2008, and tried to hide my disappointment that I wasn't any closer to returning to school. At my lowest point, I envisioned the ultimate "tortoise and the hare" story: both my husband and son finishing their degrees before me. In December, my husband finished his A.A. and started back to work for the first time in three years.

Two months later, my son has returned for his second semester, although some days, he is completely unmotivated. "Why finish school at all?" he says, pointing to us, and his other peers who began working right after high school. Instead of scraping by with a part-time job and 12 credits a semester, he already could have a car, perhaps his own apartment.

That's when I realized that I need to finish my degree, not only because it's something I've left undone, but also to show him that it does provide more opportunities, at 18 or 45. That a degree not only completes you, but also begins a new adventure. That college classes not only provide knowledge, but also reveal parts of yourself that may otherwise remain concealed forever. Apparently, it's one lesson I can't just tell him — I have to demonstrate it.

My expectation is to finish my bachelor's degree in communications. I may return to my 15-year career as a professional writer, with new perspectives gained from my ensuing work and my family. I may remain a benefits planner, with new insights based on what I've accomplished. Or I may find a new opportunity through my degree, or my pursuit of it.

I believe that an online course of study provides my best chance of success. As a working parent with many responsibilities, I can plan my classes and study time around my work and family obligations. I am used to email, Internet and teleconferences, and would easily adapt to those learning methods. I've had such a steep learning curve in my current job that I don't think "going back to school" would be a major transition for me. When my husband was considering working with Vocational Rehabilitation and starting over in a new career, I told him that time would pass whether he chose to do anything or not; why not step toward a future he wanted? In giving him that advice, I realize I was giving me my own pep talk, the same one that Eddie gave me when he said "You ought to finish." And also the sage advice I often quote from one of my favorite writers, Mark Twain:

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

Project Working Mom Scholarship Winner - Clara Galvan

Victoria — Fri, 29 May 2009 09:01:00 GMT

Clara Galvan

BA/Organizational Management — Elementary Education
Ashford University

My name is Clara Galvan and I am 32 years old. I am the mother of a wonderful four year old named Bowie. I was born in Mississippi and raised in Alta Loma, California, where I graduated from the local high school. It was there that I first realized I wanted a career in teaching. Mrs. August, my 10^th grade math teacher, showed me the importance of education and the impact a great teacher can make on their student's lives. After graduating from high school, I decided to begin my journey to become a math teacher by attending Chaffey Community College. Once I earned enough units, I began teaching at a pre-school in order to gain experience while still finishing my degree.

After teaching for six months, my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer of the colon and liver. He was forced to stop working in order to begin treatment, which put our family in a financial bind. This forced me to put my educational and career goals on hold because I needed to help boost my family's income by finding a job that offered a higher salary. Shortly thereafter, I was hired at a small sporting goods retail store named Sport Chalet.

For the past ten years, I have been an employee with Sport Chalet. They currently have over 50 locations, located predominantly in California, Arizona, and Nevada. When I first started, I was responsible for various administrative duties in the scuba repair department. It was at this time that I was first introduced to scuba diving. My interest in the sport quickly grew and I began taking as many classes as I could. After about a year of working in the repair department, I was promoted to Scuba Operations Assistant Manager, a position I continue to hold to this day. Part of my job involves working with scuba instructors and handling the various administrative duties that accompany their jobs. This motivated me to combine my two passions in life, teaching and scuba diving. Sport Chalet put me through the necessary instructor training courses and helped me to obtain my teaching certification while working full-time. I am able to teach various beginning and advanced level classes on nights and weekends.

Although I enjoy my current job, I have not given up on my desire to become a middle school math teacher. Not a day goes by where I do not try and think of a way to balance my work schedule and supporting my daughter while going back to school. Since I am the sole supporter of my family, I do not have many options for finishing my college education. If I take time off work to become a full-time student, I will not be able to make ends meet and support my daughter. This is why I believe online classes would be perfect for my schedule. It would allow me to continue working while going to school without giving up quality time with Bowie. Although I realize some financial and personal sacrifices are necessary to achieve my goals, I do not want to my daughter to suffer because of this.

Education will enable me to achieve my goals because it will allow me to finish my degree and earn my teaching credential. Competition for teaching positions is becoming more aggressive. Earning a degree is the first step to making myself more marketable for school districts. I strongly believe that one of the most important characteristics of a teacher is passion for the job. I learned this from great teachers I have had in the past, and noticed the difference in those who genuinely enjoy their job. When teachers enjoy teaching, it makes learning more fun for the students. One of my ultimate goals is being able to positively contribute to student's lives the same way Mrs. August contributed to mine. She made learning fun and helped her students realize the importance of education. These are just a few of the lessons I would like to pass on to my future students.

Education will also help me achieve goals in my family and personal life. My father always wanted to send me to college, but could never afford it. I would like to able to send Bowie to college one day and be an inspiration for her as well. She recently began pre-school and loves every minute of it. Seeing her happy in an educational setting makes me proud that she is receiving these lessons at an early age. When she grows up, I want her to make the best of her life as well. Being a working mother will show her she can achieve anything she sets her mind to, as long as she is willing to commit herself to that goal. Working moms have two jobs, in a sense, because their job is not over when they get home from work Being a mother, however, is much like being a teacher. It does not feel like a job when it is something you truly love doing.

Not only will education allow me to finally have a career I have a passion for, but it will have a positive impact on my daughter's life. Being an educator will also allow me to spend more time with Bowie. Our schedules will coincide since we will generally be at school at the same time. This will enable me to be home to help Bowie with her homework and stay informed with what's going on in her life. She means the world to me and being able to be such a positive influence in her life will be great.

Rarely do people find a profession that they were truly born to do. I have a passion for teaching and believe that is what I was meant to do. I have taught scuba diving for almost 6 years now and still love it the same as when I first began. There is not much money in it, but that is not why I do it. Seeing the smiles on my student's faces when they achieve something they never thought they could is a feeling unmatched by anything else. This is something I will be able to carry over to teaching math as well. Mrs. August made math fun for me. She helped me become good at a subject I never thought I could.

I would like to continue teaching scuba even after I become a math teacher. I feel lucky to have found a career where I will look forward to going to work everyday. I am eager to take that first step in this journey and finishing my education. Although going back to school at 32 years old will not be an easy thing, the reward is well worth the sacrifice.

Project Working Mom Scholarship Winner - Erin Buck

Victoria — Fri, 29 May 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Erin Buck

BA/Communication Studies
Ashford University

"There is in every true woman's heart a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity; but which kindles up, and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity." Washington Irving, The Sketch Book, 1820

Life doesn't always turn out quite like we expect it to. As a young girl, I often daydreamed about the kind of life that I would live when I was grown. I never wanted anything too extravagant…a good husband, two children, and a career as a preschool teacher. A quiet, simple life is all I've ever really wanted.

I met my husband while we were both in college…he was finishing Fire Academy and preparing to enter into his career as a firefighter. I was obtaining my Early Childhood Education credentials to begin my career as a preschool teacher. A few years later, we were married with 2 small children, and for a while I was living my dream.

When my first child was born, I knew that I wanted to operate a preschool program out of my home. This way, my children would benefit from having a lot of one-on-one attention in a small group setting, and I could continue to further my career without sacrificing time away from my children. After extensive background clearances, licensing evaluations, program planning and facility inspections, I was granted a license to operate a family child care facility, and I opened my business, "Discovery Preschool and Child Care Home" in 2002. My husband and I worked side by side to create the kind of preschool program that would give our children the absolute best start in life, and I was proud of the recognition and gratitude that we received from the families of the enrolled children. I was living the life that I had dreamed of, and I wasn't prepared for the curve ball that was headed our way.

When I first received the call from the investigators regarding allegations that my husband had molested a child at our facility, I was appalled. Of course, I knew there was absolutely no truth to the allegations whatsoever…Nathan had been a trusted caregiver for years! He was a paramedic and a firefighter, a wonderful father, and he was great with all of the children that came through our program. Everyone we knew loved and trusted "Mr. Nate." You can imagine my horror when I found out from the authorities that he had actually confessed to molesting a 3-year-old little girl, the exact same age as his own daughter, in our preschool home.

Life quickly spun out of control from there. My facility license was revoked, and Nathan was sentenced to 8 years in prison, which in my opinion is not nearly enough punishment for the pain that he has caused the little girl and her family. My children have suffered greatly as well…they have lost their father very suddenly and tragically, not to mention traded our comfortable lifestyle and dual-income household for the not so lavish life that a single unemployed parent can provide. After the scandal that was created, my career, which I had devoted so much of my life to, was over. All that's left for my children and myself to do now is pick up the pieces and start over, which I'm learning is no easy feat for a single mom. Nevertheless, I will find a way, because now that I'm the only parent my children have, failing is not an option…I will do whatever it takes to succeed so that I can provide for them the kind of life that we once had. I know it isn't going to be easy, but I am determined to be an example of strength for my children. Just as my 4-year-old likes to repeat from her favorite movie, 'Finding Nemo': "when life gets you down…just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming…"

If I am chosen to receive a scholarship, I will be returning to school to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Communications. I will be attending classes while working full-time and caring for two small children on my own…it's going to take a lot of time, energy, and hard work, but I know that eventually I will accomplish my goals. I hope to develop an inner strength as a result of overcoming these obstacles, and to become the strong, independent woman that I need to be for my children.

Project Working Mom Scholarship Winner - Agaba Bisengo

Victoria — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:20:00 GMT

Agaba Bisengo

MBA/Organizational Leadership
Ashford University

Why getting my degree is Important?

I was born in Congo-Kinshasa on December 1^st 1982 to a young woman. Because my mother, who was 21-years-old at the time, did not have the ability to raise me, I grew up with my grandmother in a refugee camp in southwest Uganda. Growing up in a refugee camp was not easy. My grandmother and I had to move several times to survive the hardship of the refugee camp life. As a result, I had to attend several different primary schools and some other times I couldn't attend at all due lack of school fees.

In December 1994, shortly after the Rwandan genocide, my grandmother and I moved to Rwanda. In February 1996, I traveled to Kenya, where I stayed for 6 months before moving to the US to join my sisters. Moving to the US not only marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life but also gave me a number of valuable opportunities. First, for the first time in my life, I was able to be a citizen of a country. Secondly, it gave me the stability to pursue my education. I resumed my education by joining 7^th grade in Montgomery County, MD and was able to finish my middle school and high school studies with honors. In September 2002, I joined Messiah College where I studied Political Science with a concentration in International Relations and minor in Economics.

While in college, I had to work three different jobs to pay for my tuition while studying 15 to 18 credit hours per semester and taking part in various extra-curricular activities. I was the president of the African Student Union Club, a member of the International Justice Mission, and a representative in the student government. During my 3^rd year, I spent a semester at Temple University in Philadelphia as an exchange student. In my final year, I did an internship at the World Vision office in Washington DC.

After graduating from Messiah College, I led a mission of 14 American students to Congo and Rwanda. Our task was to teach Math, English and share the gospel with orphans in both nations. The mission was very challenging. For most of the team members, it was their first trip to Africa and, as a result, some students got sick because of the change in the weather and food. The budget constraints and medical problems of some of the team members taught me how to lead in challenging circumstances. Despite these obstacles, however, the team was able successfully accomplished its objectives.

I am currently living in Silver Spring, MD with my husband Alex and our 1-year-old son Mihigo. I am working as a Research Coordinator for the Corporate Executive Board, a best practices research firm serving over 3,700 leading corporations and nonprofit institutions. My role involves supporting the program leadership with editing, client communication and meeting planning. I am also actively involved in my community where I serve as a youth coordinator. I organize youth activities, lead fundraising events, and coordinate community meetings.

Getting my masters degree is important to me because growing up in refugee camps in East Africa exposed me to the various economic, social, and security challenges faced by millions of people in the developing world. Having witnessed the impact of underdevelopment, conflict, and forced displacement, I decided to pursue a career in international studies to help those in dire conditions by addressing their development, health, education, and security challenges. I believe online education is right for me because within my busy schedule at least this will be something to achieve while spending time with my 16-month-old son.

Project Working Mom Scholarship Winner - Jinny Alexander

Victoria — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:15:00 GMT

Jinny Alexander

Bachelor of Arts in Social Science — Secondary Education
Ashford University

I am a 52-year-old, married, proud mother of two amazing children. Life has taught me the importance of a good education. My daughter is a junior high school student and my son is in his last semester of college. Budgeting our family time and expenses has become very compromising.

Money is scarce because I am the main source of income; my husband and I are separated. I am, however, giving my son the opportunity to finish his education; but, financially it has been difficult. My family deserves better and I know that I can do something about it. I am willing to sacrifice all that I have in order to better the quality of life for my family.

For me though, returning to college does not really feel like a sacrifice, more like a privilege. Although, there have been many personal challenges and obstacles along the way, the importance of a college degree is something I have emphasized to both of my children. Without the proper education I know how difficult it is to maintain financial stability and prominence in the world. My hope for them is that they will obtain college degrees and never be passed over for a promotion just because they do not have a degree, something that has happened to me time and time again during my career.

I am currently seeking a degree in Business/Technology Education. I plan to graduate with a bachelor's degree and continue to pursue my goal to work within the education system in order to benefit the children of tomorrow. I have always enjoyed working with children and I believe teaching is a great way to help children. I am eager to help them learn essential lessons that will nurture them for the future.

I know I can make a difference and that being a positive influence in children's lives is priceless. My work experience is varied, but technology is my passion and for six years I worked in a computer lab in an elementary school working with students and teachers. But two years ago because I did not have a degree I was taken out and put in a classroom as extra class support with special education students. Since my level of education does not permit me to work in my specialty, I feel that is enough of an incentive for me to return to school. My work is personally fulfilling and I feel a great passion for it. My goal is to advance into a position teaching Technology, but a Bachelor's Degree is required regardless of your knowledge, experience or certificates.

I am dedicated to put all my energy into learning as much as possible and earning a degree in Business/ Technology through online training, then I will be equipped to pursue my goal and my career path as a Technology Educator. Online training will allow me to continue to work full-time and have the economic strength required for my family to endure. Online training also provides me the flexibility to enjoy my family in a comfortable environment instead of having to rush off to a college several evenings a week.

I know that I did not want to follow in the footsteps of my parents, without college degrees, and face the struggles they both faced in their careers. However, after graduation in 1975 I attended college for a year but due to my mothers failing health I had to return home and help the family. I fell in love and chose another path to follow in my life. I got married and after twenty-five years of marriage and two children, my husband and I separated and I started my life over.

My other driving force is that my children are getting older, so after spending the past twenty-five years devoting my entire life to them and my job, it was evident that I must now set goals much higher to include an advanced degree. Furthering my education would be a blessing and a gift and would show if you persevere through the hard times it will make you a stronger person. Each role I played in life, as an educator and motivator, prepared me for my next task. My work experience consists of seventeen years working with children and technology both within for-profit and non-profit organizations and most of all as a home and family manager.

When I first started out in education I wanted to inspire students. What I have found is that very often it is that students inspire me. I knew I wanted to teach and I knew I needed an education to achieve my goal. I am a non-traditional student because I am older. I know I want a career in which I could make a difference in the lives of others, particularly children. I want to inspire in them a love of learning and cultivate their creativity and imagination. I want to teach them to believe in themselves, a lesson that I am learning as an adult. These are the thoughts that keep me going. This is the goal that I want to achieve. Education is the key I need to make my goals a reality.

I am making a commitment to pursue a better and more fulfilling life for myself and my children. I am excited to write this essay, excited that someone wants to give the working, single parent a chance, and excited that I may have found a way to advance my goals by being given the opportunity to get a degree. As a fifty-two year old working mother, I find myself facing serious competition. An advanced degree would make an enormous difference in my life, on my résumé, in my career and on my self-respect. I desire to see my life become more rewarding with challenging, interesting, and gratifying employment. I wish to provide my daughter with a college education by working hard at a career that will pay all our bills. I desire to feel my intellect develop again the way it did before I became absorbed with the numerous details of parenthood. Everything considered I wish to pursue an advanced degree to further my education and provide a better life for my son, daughter, and me.

My skills are transferable and a degree will speak volumes to my determination and will provide the knowledge I need to make a career change. A scholarship with Project Working Mom is the only way I can afford to accomplish my goals for higher education and a career change. I am ready to make that commitment. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Jinny Alexander

Project Working Mom Scholarship Winner - Katie Crocker

Victoria — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:07:00 GMT

Katie Crocker

Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management — Elementary Education
Ashford University

I am the poster child for eternal learning. I say that as a half-jest but I feel like I have been trying to grasp the golden carrot forever.

I started college in 2002 and except for a few semesters off here and there, I have been constantly enrolled in course work ever since. I have studied a plethora of subjects from Nursing to Biology to Philosophy and even an online program in IT but the one thing I keep coming back to is the idea that it is important to share what we learn and discover, no matter the subject. For too long I was caught up in the details of my educational road trip and as such, kept meandering along only half involved, still feeling like I was searching for the definitive sign that I was where I needed to be to obtain the perfect career and life after college.

My original plan was to become a nurse, and while I have found myself going back to that idea a couple times, I have come to realize that it is not the lifestyle that I truly desire for myself and my family. After one semester of pre-nursing course work, I found myself entangled in Philosophy and writing. In 2004 I earned an A.S. in Liberal Arts and transferred to a large university to continue on my path to becoming a philosopher and eventually, professor. However, life had other plans and this was where my educational path becomes very choppy.

My mind kept wandering back to elementary education but I couldn't convince my heart to give up on collegiate academia. In 2006, I gave up on both and enrolled in a BSN-RN program at a local college and started course work in January 2007. Two months later, my husband and I split up after 3 years of going back and forth on the issue. I struggled along until this past April and decided to take some time off and let my life settle. I was doing fairly well in my course work but my heart wasn't in it. It felt more important to be physically present for my children than it ever had before, and the demands of the nurse education program (regardless of the school) don't mesh well with single-parenting, working full-time and obtaining other commodities such as the ever elusive sleep.

Perhaps I am aging. I no longer have the drive to be the Alpha-dog. I don't feel like I will be a failure without earning a Ph.D. by the age of 35. Sleep wins out over going out to study groups, these days. My children's laughter and their happiness is a greater reward than any piece of paper could ever be, regardless of the words on it that proclaim whatever degree I might have earned. Working my job without worrying about how I will keep a school schedule in place around my work schedule is a top priority. Some things in life just aren't supposed to be that hard. In this, my new life, I am still driven to finish my program and to be successful. I still dream of working a career where I am respected and honored and seen as an important member of the educational process. I only hope that I might be a positive influence.

My life goals are simple. I want to create a home environment that is based on compassion, understanding and respect for each other. I want to have a house that my children can call home and return to once they spread their own wings. I want lazy summer days on the lake and the ability to go to football, baseball and soccer practices without the guilt of taking a day off to do so. I see us having nightly family dinners and bedtime rituals without fretting that tomorrow I wont be able to tuck him in or read the story. I don't want to miss any more school concerts or teacher meetings. In due time, I want to marry the man of my dreams and raise our four sons to be well-rounded, secure men. And someday I want to hug my daughters-in-law and rock my grandbabies on the front porch swing. I just want to fill my life with good people, joyous daily celebration and as much laughter as it will allow me have.

As for my career goals, I want to become an elementary education teacher. I feel that with my rather eclectic personality and diverse interests, it would be a good fit. I cant really see myself discussing the same topic hour after hour, day after day, for decades. As I remember elementary school, one or two teachers taught us all of our subjects, and that is the way my children's classrooms are run as well. Additionally, I truly enjoy the energy of younger children. Their minds are so eager and open to learning, but they also have so much to teach us if we only pay attention. The only way to get on this path is via the continuation of my post-secondary education. I am aware that I will need to go to graduate school after I complete my baccalaureate degree, and I look forward to that experience when the time comes to do so.

At this nexus of my life, online education is the best solution for me because I want to get off evenings shift but I have passed up opportunities to move to day shift because I needed to keep my days open for my college schedule. With everything that has happened in my life and the way things have settled into place, I can no longer afford to not be home with my children when they are home after school. I realized that it was time to look at other options when I finally, for the first time since 2002 resigned myself to giving up on school indefinitely. When I realized that I was willing and ready to sacrifice my own education in order to keep my children emotionally secure I knew I was ready to jump back into online education. Getting my degree is so important to me because after six years of being a student, I feel that if I don't obtain it I would be a failure. Getting a scholarship would mean even more to me because as I have spent so much time on course work, my federal aid limits are feeling the squeeze as well. At this point in time though, I am of the mindset that what is meant to be will come to pass and what is not meant to be will fall away. That doesn't mean however, that I don't really hope this is finally my turn at snatching up that glimmering carrot.

Project Working Mom Scholarship Winner - Audrena Dias

Victoria — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:41:00 GMT

Audrena Dias

Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management — Psychology
Ashford University

I pondered all the things that were to be in this essay and I went down the list of things that should be covered and I began to write. I love writing and I felt this was an opportunity for me to tell my story. I became stumped and trying to put my thoughts about me from my head down on paper became a struggle for me. I would have to write about my failures. I've always wanted to continue my education but my life always took me in a different direction. I always had so many negatives why I couldn't continue my education. The biggest negative was I had been out of school for over 30 years. Then there were small negatives like I was a single mom and had now become a single grandmother; did I truly believe that I would be able to go back to school and make it and one of the biggest questions was why did I even want to go back.

At forty-nine, my whole life had changed. I had raised my two sons as a single mom and my sons had graduated from high school and were now parents. I had endured years of abuse from the children's father where I had been beat into a place where I believed I would never be to do or be anything. Higher education had been beat out of me. The mental and physical abuse left painful memories and scars where I hopelessly felt that all I was to become I had became. I pretty much buried the idea of going back to school.

I had set the wrong example for my children because they didn't strive toward anything more than graduating from high school. In their eyes I was the best mom in the world, but in my heart I knew that they deserved something more from me. My self-esteem was lower, much lower than I realized.

During those 30+ years where I couldn't get my self to return to school I did get involved in those things that meant the most to me. I spent 0ver 10 years working with teens that were pregnant and/or parenting. I became involved in mentoring young teens whether it be through administration duties; providing training materials; preparing life skill activities or through one on one mentoring. Our goal was to prepare the teens by insisting that they continue their education beyond their first pregnancies; delaying second pregnancies until later in their lives after they had educated themselves.

While working with teen moms I got involved in the Girl Scouts organization where I supported and built program opportunities for area girls ages 5 to 17 years of age. In this program our goal is to develop girls to their full potential while helping them to relate to others increasing their understanding, skill and respect. It helped girls to develop a meaningful set of values to guide their actions and to provide for sound decision making so that they may contribute to the improvement of society. I was first a program leader for about 5 years and then I became an area coordinator where my duties stretched out past the girls and reached out to their parents/guardians and enlisted their help to support their daughters through fund raising activities.

Another door opened for me while working part-time at Girl Scouts. I had the opportunity to become a parent aide where I provided assistance to families dealing with substance abuse and physical abuse in the home. I assisted social workers in delivering service to children and families making sure that their court orders were fulfilled. I provided transportation to and from scheduled visits and other appointments as assigned by Children's services. I worked with parents by helping them improve their parenting skills serving as a role model and demonstrating appropriate parent/child interactions during supervised visits. I provided an environment where families were able to maintain contact and strengthen their bonds with their children.

The more I worked with different kinds of people in different situations the more I began to form a career for myself. I realized I could serve these families in a better capacity if I improved my education. I had so many dreams for them. I saw needs every where and each time I tried to fulfill those needs I was always greeted by the fact that I had limited education and my dreams became like a balloon filled with hot air, it began to float away from me and if I didn't catch the balloon before it got out of my reach it would disappear into the skies to be lost amongst all the other dreams deferred.

This is where I began to seek out online college. It didn't take much for me to become discouraged again when I realized that I would never be able to afford to go back to school. Working two part-time jobs limited me to sitting in a classroom. Where would I find the time? But I did spend a lot of time on my home computer typing reports and I figured I could go to school online. I had been checking out online education and I knew if I could just get started somewhere I could move in a direction that would one day pay off. I am interested in an online university that offers a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. I know that if I could just start there would be a finish for me. With a Bachelor's degree I could continue to work with the families that I have be working with over the past 12 years. My dream has never changed I just sort of did things backwards. I begin working the career that I love and now I need the education to fulfill my dream.

Project Working Mom Scholarship Winner - Margaret Rancourt

Victoria — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:13:00 GMT

Margaret Rancourt

Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management — Elementary Education
Ashford University

My Journey and Goals

My name is Margaret Rancourt. I would like to submit an essay to the Project Working Mom Scholarship program. What I hope to achieve is a full scholarship to earn a bachelor's in management with an emphasis in elementary education. In my essay I will explain my life, education, and career goals. I will then discuss how an education will ultimately enable me to achieve those goals. Lastly, I hope to express why I believe an online education is the right choice for me.

I attended Convent of the Visitation High School. Throughout my freshman year I felt I was beginning an ordinary high school experience. Although through reflection, I must admit my high school experience was unique. During the hockey season my family would make (what sometimes felt like) weekly trips to South Bend, Indiana by car to watch The Fighting Irish compete. It was an extremely fun and exciting time in my life. It was during my visits to Notre Dame that I experienced the energy and pulse of college life. I knew without hesitation that I wanted that experience for myself. During the fall of my sophomore year, everything changed.

In the Fall of 1970 my eight-year-old sister became very ill. She was diagnosed with a disease known as Lupus. Lupus was considered a rare and fatal disease at this time. Theresa (my sister) was hospitalized for several months at St. Mary's hospital in Rochester, MN. My mother never left her side, which left me in a position of unexpected responsibility.

During this time I was taken out of school to help care for my younger siblings at home. Obviously because of my inability to attend school, the environment of education and my lifestyle, dramatically changed. Once a week the nuns from Visitation would stop by with my homework, and were sweet enough to bring my family homemade goods. This period in my familys life was an extremely difficult time, that stressed us emotionally and financially. Sometimes I felt that all I had to hold on to was hope. Hope that things would improve.

In the spring of 1971 Theresa finally began to respond to her treatment and medications. Due to this improvement she was allowed to come home, which was a wonderfully joyous moment in my life. Theresa continues to battle Lupus to present date. Experimental treatments have extended her life exponentially, which has greatly blessed my life. I am eternally thankful for her life. When Theresa came home I was able to complete school in more of an ordinary fashion, and I graduated in 1973.

I attended College at St. Theresas which was located in Winona, MN. While there I hoped to earn a degree in child psychology, or K - 12 elementary education. During my attendance I began to struggle because I lacked support. Both my parents were consumed with Theresa, and her illness, to the point that they were unable to support me emotionally. Additionally, I felt strongly that I was a financial burden to them during the family's time of crisis. Therefore, I quickly dropped out of school, moved home, and began to look for employment.

Within months I was hired by Northwest Airlines as a cabin attendant. I truly loved that job. My work routine consisted of traveling all over the world, and experiencing places and things that I had only read about in books. These experiences hardly ever felt like work to me. It wasnt long after I began working that job, that I met my future husband Bob, whom I had four children with.

When our children were very young I stayed home and raised them. The duties and responsibilities of raising four young children and taking care of a household was a time consuming and daunting task. Although extremely stressful, demanding, and all consuming, I loved this time with my children. I consider myself fortunate to have had the wonderful experience of being a part of almost every moment of their childhood.

As the kids began to enter school I gradually became involved in the community. I volunteered at the schools as a math and reading assistant, and at the church as a religious education teacher. Additionally, I became involved in many activities and organizations that my children were participating in. During this time I felt compelled to run a business and truly contribute to the community.

In 1982 my husband and I purchased a local pizzeria as an investment opportunity. It was a Carbones Pizza franchise, and we felt we may be able to earn some additional funds. Initially we hired a manager, but gradually I assumed more responsibilities. These responsibilities included, but are not limited to: hiring, training, payroll, accounting, advertising, serving, and occasionally preparing food. Due to the fact that I was a young mother, my children were often with me when I would be tending the restaurant. They have retained many warm memories of those years at Carbones. They would assist me around the restaurant whenever they could and were rewarded with their favorite food, pizza! In 1988 we moved on from the business to more actively pursue other investment opportunities.

While working at the restaurant my kids grew a little more and I was able to do more things out of the house without them. I decided I still wanted to work. My first job after Carbones was as a legal clerk at my husbands office. For a few hours a week I had a variety of responsibilities such as payroll and accounting. After a couple of years of being with my children for a significant amount of time, and working for my husband on a limited basis, I began a job that would remind me of my passion for education.

In 1990 I was offered a position as a Religious Education Coordinator (REC) for grades 4 - 6, which I proudly accepted. This position required my recruiting and training of volunteers and teachers. One of my biggest challenges while working as a REC was planning and implementing a Sacramental program. While additionally, providing workshops and training for parents and children. Other responsibilities included calendar planning, attending yearly educational seminars, and monthly staff planning meetings, etc. This required 20 - 60 hours a month.

In 1994, when my youngest was in the 2^nd grade, I accepted an additional position at Chisago Lakes Elementary School as a Title One Reading and Math Paraprofessional. I worked directly with children in grades 1 - 3. In addition to this new endeavor in 1996 I was promoted to the position of Director of Religious Education. This position encompassed my responsibilities as a coordinator, while adding the responsibilities of overseeing all educational and sacramental programs involved. All of this work eventually led me to my first full-time position since my airline experience.

1998 blessed me with a full-time job in the media center at school assisting the librarian. It was during this time I began to notice limitations that resulted from my lack of education. I was unable to perform seemingly simple tasks due to regulations and restrictions. For example, if for any reason the librarian was unable to attend to her duties, such as reading to a group of first graders, I could not pick a book and read to that group. I could however, put a video in for the class if a substitute teacher was unavailable. This whole situation disturbed me, not because they believed me incapable of reading to first graders, that was not the case. It disturbed me, because due to my lack of education I was not allowed to perform these duties.

At that point I accepted a position as a Kindergarten Academic Paraprofessional where I present a science enrichment program. I also assist as a substitute at a behavioral and learning disability school called Pathways to Change. Additionally I began to work as a hospice volunteer where I provide respite care for families of dying individuals. I also am an active volunteer at Camp Triumph, where we work with children who have lost loved ones. That brings us up to date with what I am currently active in.

As you can see my career path has continually led me to what I love. Not only working with young people, but also serving people in general. I enjoy working closely with children and young adults very much. I am extremely passionate about the care that can be given into their lives.

I believe that a continued education in which I receive a degree, will not only benefit me in a personally fulfilling way, but most of all benefit the children I already work closely with. With a degree I will be able to provide the children with a fuller educational experience with less limitations due to my lack of education.

There are many reasons that I know an online education is the right choice for me. If online classes were available for me in the 80's, I would have participated without a second guess. It would of been a logical choice for me at the time due to my lifestyle and ambitions. Instead, I went forward with what was available to me at the time.

I made the most out of my situation and regret nothing, but feel that with my experience, I could attain some of my loftier goals. Two of my children who have extremely busy lives, are currently attending a University through online courses and excelling. I now realize that I can still reach some of my goals that long ago I felt I would be unable to reach. I believe that I can improve some part of my life everyday. That I can continue to be a better person today than I was yesterday, and with this continued progress I can be an extremely valuable asset to society. I believe I meet the criteria for this scholarship program, and hope you will consider me as a recipient of the scholarship. Thank you for your time and opportunity.

Project Working Mom Scholarship Winner - Angela Reed

Victoria — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:59:00 GMT

Angela Reed

Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration — Hospitality Management
Ashford University

Hello, my name is Angela Reed and I am a working mom. I have been working since I was 14 years of age so know what working hard is really all about.

I am a mother of four children. It has not always been easy but I have put two of my children through school and I have two more remaining at home their ages are 23, 21, 16 and 11. I am at the point in my life where I am ready to take back control of my life realizing I will always be a mommy but now its my time to continue my education before the grandchildren come.

I have always wanted to test the waters of education to see just how much you really can learn. I have taken some course here and there just to stay abreast of the latest technologies. Some of my courses were medical assistant, nursing assistant, graphic arts, business administration, and psychology. It seems like as soon as I started my classes I have a crisis with my children or just bad timing at that time. Now I am at a place in my life where I am ready to take control of my own destiny. I want to run my own business doing something I like to do not just taking these odd jobs trying to fulfill my time that usually gets me no where. Its time out for just another job I really would like to venture in to a career.

I was always taught that education is the key to your future. How much you know will determine how far you go. Right now I feel like soaring with the eagles. I love learning new things and applying them to my everyday living. Having a career I can set an example for my children that no matter what age you are you can still achieve any goal you set for yourself and my goals in life are unlimited because there is so much to learn everyday. And I enjoy the earning experience.

I have always taught my children don't just settle for being mediocre try to be the best in whatever you do and the best way to do it is with education. What you learn in class you can apply to real life and it will make your life a little better than before.

As I get older I realize life is full of opportunities it is truly up to us to decide if we want to take advantage of them or not. With programs like this allowing me to work and go to school on line is great. I can work during the day and do my studies in the comforts of my own home. No traffic to worry about no driving long distances and the best thing about it is that I can learn right from home with my children. I really would like to be the first in my family to complete college. My family is very supportive and encourages me to do whatever my heart desires. I am a real advocate of education with my children because I feel that education is some can stay with you for a lifetime.

This is a chance of a lifetime and I have all intentions to take full advantage of it. Like I said the key to life is education and I want to acquire as many keys that I can so I can open the doors of opportunity.

Thank you for this opportunity to express myself.

Angela Reed