UTeach

BACKGROUND INFO

Serving the community has played a large part in shaping who I am today. Growing up in a low income neighborhood, I've always felt as if I did not have a fair chance of becoming successful. As I grew older, I began to find my happy place in such an unusual living condition for a child, Dean Rusk Elementary School located in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia. I was always eager to learn and eager to see what impact my teacher could make on me. I learned to never take education fore-granted. The reason for this is because I was able to develop such a genuine bond with my teachers at school, that it helped me see a brighter vision for my future, despite my living conditions at home. I’ve always paid close attention to my teachers' actions, recognizing their passion and diligence, longing to someday hold those same characteristics for my career. I have dealt with teachers creating a sense of community and belonging, despite the students’ home-life or ethnic background. I believe that the mutual respect in a teacher’s classroom provides a supportive, collaborative environment, and believe that the quality of education children receive should not be determined by factors such as race or income level. I also believe that despite the seemingly insurmountable structural roadblocks to students who are disadvantaged, each of them has the potential for phenomenal strength and resiliency that an engaged and passionate educator can undoubtedly foster. I am a firm believer of my previous statement because I have experienced it firsthand. Due to former experiences, I now long to be the kind of educator that engenders determination, despite incredible challenges, just as I was given that gift.

The fact that I am on the verge of receiving a Bachelor’s Degree is my most meaningful accomplishment. Several factors in my life has played a part accomplishing this goal. I would have never imagined reaching potential of which I have done so. I have embarked on an amazing life journey full of obstacles that has molded me into the person that I have become today. I overcame the obstacles that have to be constantly navigated as a low-income student in a posh university atmosphere to become one of the highest-achieving students on campus. I have worked significantly hard through my college career to reach my highest potential. I consider this a meaningful accomplishment because a lot of instances, I find myself wondering how I made it here. Coming from a low income household in a poverty stricken neighborhood, I grew up under the impression that there was no way that I would be able to afford to pay to go to college. Even learning how to manage and juggle being in school, full time Special Education Para and a middle school coach all in way has been one heck of a journey. So, the fact that I am currently on the verge of being the first individual in my family to graduate from college is very meaningful to me. Not only am I benefiting from higher education, but I have also became a positive figure and role model for the younger kids in my family and neighborhood. I consider this just the beginning of my journey to give back to those who deserve to receive outstanding education, despite living conditions.

As a Pell Grant recipient from the Metro Atlanta area, my life is rooted in low income experiences. I am fully aware of what it is like. Furthermore, I have integrated my work life into my personal pursuit of social justice and educational equity in low income communities. I am fully aware that participants of Urban Teachers make both a short-term and long-term impact by leading their students to reach their full potential and becoming lifelong leaders for educational equity and I strongly believe that I am well prepared to do so. I believe that my background of being raised in a poverty stricken neighborhood in a low income household has over prepared me to be able to cater to the needs of students landing in the same predicament. Throughout my life, I have learned the importance of giving back and helping others. I have experienced firsthand the impact that programs like this can make on students in these communities because I was once one of those students. I believe that I am capable of being sensitive to these students living conditions while also pushing them to their highest potential that I know they can reach.