Scholarship Essay Entry – Lisa J. K.
The best way to make the world a better place is to be in a position that enables you to affect the lives of youth, who are told they are the future. If you can be in a position to aspire them to do something beautiful (small and large) in their own community, the world can change. My vision is to be a very driven and connected high school teacher. I will be starting my second year at the University of Alberta – Augustana campus in one week’s time in a Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Education combined degree to obtain this goal.
Due to growing up in a small town of about five thousand people, my name became well recognized within the community as being an exceptional young person. Every involvement I partake in I do with great dedication and compassion, being a conscientious student, striving to be the very best I can be. Although it did not come easily, my work ethic attributed to many accomplishments of Certificates of Excellence, Student of the year and I obtained a 3.9 GPA out of a 4.0 point scale in my first year of University. I was often asked by various teachers and parents to tutor specific students and by the principal to attend meetings as a student representative for the school board. During high school I volunteered my time and set up tutoring workshops three times a week. Tutoring a grade six boy with a developmental disorder every weekday for an hour, I quickly learned both persistence and patience. I will forever remember the change in him from the first school day to the boy he is today.
The academic challenges faced by all in their first year of university didn’t stop me from reminding myself to look outward and support a variety of activities. One that I would passionately offer my time was at Brigantia Place, a women’s shelter, where we would offer times of laughter in hopes of building their self-confidence through crafts, listening and playing with their children. This was always a humbling experience which gave you a real perspective on life and allowed you not to take anything for granted – including the opportunity to go to university. Another area that I volunteered in was tutoring students regularly. They soon learned that I was there to teach them and not merely to give them the answer.
As a teacher, I believe that I will be able to have a positive affect on my students’ lives. I desire to make a difference in the lives of youth, and invoke a passion of the material in the students, in order so they may not only experience a love for the subject, but a sense of self accomplishment; knowing they achieved all they are capable of. I yearn to interact with people and hope that with the qualities I have gained, I will be able to lead and inspire students. This scholarship will allow me to attain my professional goals.
