Passion for Education by Ezobia

Passion for Education by Ezobia - July 2019 Scholarship Essay

I am writing with an interest in the Varsity Tutors Scholarship. I am delighted to share my essay regarding what having a passion for education means to me.
Having a passion for Education means the continuous pursuit of Education and being able to give back through the dedication of my life’s work. I didn’t always have a passion for Education, in fact, it was a journey I learned to appreciate. In my last two years of high school I wanted to quit, I wasn’t motivated and didn’t apply myself. I cut school often and was in a downward spiral of failure. I learned later that this didn’t mean I didn’t have a passion for learning, it just meant I had no purposeful vision or direction.
It was suggested by my guidance counselor that I enroll in night courses in an effort to retake several of the courses I was failing and graduate on time. Taking night classes was the lightbulb moment in a dark dreary room; it was the challenge I needed to keep me focused and motivated. Day and evening classes were a challenge I welcomed; the structure and environment forced me to work harder, caused me to learn self-discipline and consequently study harder. I continued to take day and evening classes in addition to summer courses throughout my junior year. Consequently, I was able to graduate high school in three years instead of the traditional four.
I reflect on my high school experience and the challenges I needed for self-improvement and discovery, the grit and perseverance I didn’t know I had. I went from being labeled as a failing student to graduating with a B average one year ahead of schedule. This is where my passion for education ignited. As an adult, I would overcome many hurdles and obstacles along my academic journey such as: failing out my first year of college, the indecisiveness of choosing an academic major and the struggles accompanied with Nursing school. However, my journey has always been filled with my love for learning. It is not the grades or the degrees that I am most proud of, however, the specific qualities of perseverance, grit, drive, ambition and self-discipline that I used to propel me into excellence. The very skills I was forced to discover at an early age and have now perfected. I welcome rigor, challenge and structure, and perform at my highest level of potential when I create these environments for myself. My ability to allocate and manage my time wisely, utilize effective study skills and map out academic goals and objectives for myself are indispensable.
Working in the professions of Nursing and Education have afforded me an opportunity to give back. I am able to give back under the myriad of hats I have worn over the past two decades. My position as an Educator in grades PreK-3rd and 6th-12th with students with learning and emotional disabilities in addition to instruction for nonverbal students proved to be a pinnacle point. It served as the foundation for the beginning of my teaching career. In this role, I also served as a Clinical Educator for student-teachers. Student-teaching experiences were opportunities to train and prepare college students in many aspects of instruction.
The classroom is my platform for professional and student development, helping students to articulate their space in the world whether it be children, adolescents or adult students. Helping to mentor and coach students to perfect their craft, discover and reach their potential all while encouraging positive image and self-worth is how I execute my passion for education. I am currently employed as a Student Learning Specialist at Chamberlain College of Nursing. I enjoy setting students up for success through the presentation of workshops about time management, effective study skills and self-discipline- the very skills I learned while in high school when tackling evening and summer courses. I create individual goals and remediation plans for failing and at risk students. Having a dual career has definitely afforded me an opportunity to make contributions to both fields of Nursing and Education.
I have been accepted and slated to enroll in an accelerated Master of Science in Nursing program in Fall 2019 with future plans to pursue doctoral studies Fall/Spring of 2020. Upon the canvas of my academic journey I have earned a Bachelor of Science in Education, Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Masters of Science in Education- Teaching and Learning. As a leader and Educator, I rightfully and wholeheartedly strive to achieve goals that are not only personally beneficial, but strive towards goals that are beyond my own interests. Not only is this an opportunity to execute my passion for Education, however, it is my responsibility.
My Education does not benefit my community if I am unable to give back. My passion for Education includes (peer) mentorship, training, relationship-building and personal and professional development while empowering others to reach academic goals and build purposeful-driven careers. Collectively my experiences have positively shaped and influenced the lives of both aspiring teachers and nurses- this is my purpose and ultimately how I share my passion for Education.

Thank you for allowing me to share my essay in consideration of the Varsity Tutors Scholarship.
Ezobia Felder