Seeing Through Their Eyes by Chizolum

Seeing Through Their Eyes by Chizolum - June 2020 Scholarship Essay

Understanding my background, and the reasons for my intended career of choice will illustrate how my current skills, and planned new ones, will prepare me to bring the change I feel is needed in the world. My passion for helping people strikes at multiple moments in my life. Once while practicing my guitar in the orchestra room, I noticed the music sheets on the teacher's stand were disorganized. Knowing she liked to keep things neat and finding this disarray out of her character, I decided to arrange the sheets myself. It only took 5 minutes, but when she discovered the neater piles, she was most appreciative. It is little things like that I feel can make a world of difference in someone else’s day.

I also took on leadership roles at an early age as a way to evoke change in big and small places. I was president of the student government in the eighth grade, and though it sounds impossible to do, I had lots of fun with it. I made a song based on a popular anthem by the band Queen, which helped me win. Spirit Week was a celebration the school looked forward to and I attended several meetings for arranging the themes. Despite being mildly harangued by a few peers, I had tons of fun with it. I was also an assistant librarian in my junior year where I not only organized the orchestra library of music but also organized the orchestra banquet and awards ceremony, catering to the hundred and more orchestra participants, and ensured it ran smoothly.

In my roles, I try to emulate other motivational leaders in my life, such as someone as simple as Mr. Rogers. I admire Mr. Rogers because he changed America with his cheery perspective and fearless disposition. By using his platform to speak out against controversial topics, he brought many debatable issues to the forefront of his audience and forced people to think about their own impact on society as a whole. He often said he liked people “just as they are” and believed in the best of humanity. I hope one day to have that sort of impact on my future students.

I chose to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education because I have a passion for working with children. I already work with kids in my church’s youth program. I help them understand the topics discussed and provide guidance with any challenges. I naturally gravitate towards children of preschool and kindergarten school age. My own childhood was enjoyable and left a lasting impression, causing me to see the brighter side of life, and believe in myself, and I want other children of this level to feel the same. I feel the best impression of life starts early and strong.

With early childhood, I can teach the building blocks in early life stages, as these concepts are easy for me, and best fit my personality. I am quiet and reserved, but this is because I prefer to observe my surroundings and absorb people’s behaviors. I feel I can best react when I have a good assessment of my environment. It also makes me a better listener. As a kind and sensitive person, I tend to sympathize with people and whatever stage in life they are going through, both good times and sad. I also am more attentive to people’s feelings and use my initiative to provide for their needs and assist in ways helpful to them, most often before they ask. I feel that it takes a kind and gentle soul to connect to children, especially toddlers. They wear their hearts on their sleeves, can quickly convey joy or sadness, and it requires patience to handle their mood changes and help them navigate their emotions appropriately.

With my abilities and a completed degree in early education, I could use multiple positions to affect real change in the field of childhood development and help multiple populations. As a teacher or therapist, I would help children reach their developmental milestones and prepare them for school years. As a social worker or counselor, I could guide parents in their role and help suggest ways for them to best support and encourage their children towards good behavior and achievements. As a conventional speaker, I could educate other teachers to understand their preschool students and show schools how to set up supportive environments for their youth. Most importantly, I could advise government programs for kids and see that the love and learning continue through appropriate summer programs and educational weekend events provided by the city, or nonprofit organizations, etc.

My ability to affect little changes would cause a ripple effect, where other beneficial things could continue to happen. I would make students feel more loved and happy, and make people understand kids more. I would spend most of my energy making sure kids are well mentally and emotionally. As I get older, a big thing I could successfully change about the world would be to see everyone get along and to see their worth in their children and themselves.