Scholarship Essay Entry – Holly J.

Growing up I had a few teachers who left a positive impact on my life. These teachers were those who went out of their way to help me and were always there when I needed someone to listen. Had I not had these teachers’ support and guidance I do not know that I would be where I am today and whether or not I would have been as successful as I was in school. During childhood and adolescence, it is important to feel that someone is there for you and believes in you and when there is a teacher who does so, this can make all the difference in the world. It was these teachers who made me want to become a teacher myself so that I too could make a difference in a young person’s life.

I aspire to become a teacher, not only to help students learn things that will help them succeed in life, but also to be a positive influence in their lives and someone they can turn to when they are going through something and need to talk. The junior high and high school years can be quite difficult for many students and at that point in time, they may want to confide in an adult who is not their parent. As a secondary teacher, I want to be that person and make that difference in a student’s life. Having someone to turn to in a time of need can be the difference between that student going on to get good grades, graduate and making something of their lives compared to feeling alone, not trying in school and dropping out only to struggle through the rest of their lives. I believe one person’s support can lead a young person on the positive path and I hope to be that person for some of my students by making myself available and open to conversation. Ultimately, it is my goal to make a difference in my community and this world by making a difference in the classroom.