North Carolina by Ashlyn

North Carolina by Ashlyn - June 2016 Scholarship Essay

I am seeking financial help because I didn’t qualify for the FAFSA due to my parent’s income; although I do not live with them. I work a full time as well as part time job while going to school. Considering I couldn’t come up with the money for my first semester classes, my grandfather paid my dues in full and I am working to pay him back. This is hard for me because I own my home and have to pay for food, bills, gas and my stepchild! It’s also not easy working two jobs because it hinders my ability to be the best I can be in school. As for my career goals, I have always had a passion for helping others, and I want to use that to be the best teacher I can be. As a child I had low self-esteem in school due to various teachers’ harsh words or actions; I believed I was unable to learn. After I graduated high school I went to Forsyth Tech and I found myself in a very unhealthy relationship that I couldn’t get out of. Although this relationship was both physically and mentally abusive, the mental abusive took a larger toll my self-esteem and self-worth. At the time I had no support system so I thought to myself, “Why am I even in school? I can’t do this.” so I dropped out with only 2 weeks left in the semester. That was a huge mistake on my part but in hindsight I think that was my best option at the time. Even if I were passing the classes I didn’t feel that I was learning anything because all that was going on in my personal life.
Once I was finally got out of the toxic relationship, I became very close with a co-worker and he made me realize that I am smart enough to go to college. For over a year he encouraged and motivated me daily that I could do it! I applied at DCCC in November 2015, and started my first semester in January 2016. My grades are a reflection of just how much a support system can encourage and help you. I want to become a teacher to help those kids that might have had similar occurrences. I will teach different types of learning methods, because not all children learn the same. I will bring creativity into the classroom, and get the children involved. I want my students to have the self-esteem that all children need, yet, not all receive. I want my future students to leave my classroom feeling encouraged, motivated, and accomplished. I am also happy to say that I am now engaged to the man who encouraged me to better myself.