Education for a better future by Rebeca

Education for a better future by Rebeca - July 2022 Scholarship Essay

I have always had a passion for academics. Attending school was fun and exciting; it was something I could excel in. Now that I am a college junior, I can look back at my education journey and see how blessed I have been through my academic endeavors. Similar to others that attended an in-person school, good teachers and bad ones taught me throughout my high school years. My mathematics teacher in high school had an impact on my life. I respect him greatly, and I'm tremendously grateful for everything he taught me. Algebra was my favorite subject because of him. He made it fun! Mr. Derek encouraged me to continue solving puzzles and push myself to my academic limits. He also believed in me and supported me as I skipped a grade. I have never met another teacher with such love and patience for his students. He was more than just my teacher; he was also my friend. I had the opposite experience with a teacher. He was my English teacher during my junior and senior years in high school, which was unfortunate since those years were crucial for learning English to prepare for college. This teacher cared about his students, but he did not know how to make himself be respected. He allowed the students to walk all over him and did not have any authority in the classroom.
Having good and bad experiences with teachers has helped me understand the value of good teachers and the harm that bad ones can cause. Getting an education consists of more than just knowing dates and historical figures. It consists of learning from the past, so the good things can be repeated and bad things avoided. Education teaches students more than just intellectual knowledge; it teaches creativity, self-discipline, hard work, integrity, teamwork, respect, curiosity, love of learning, and much more. Education is the foundation for the future and prepares students to be the teachers of future generations. By learning about the world, how it works, and what human beings are capable of, students will know better ways to take care of the earth and use it wisely and with integrity to its full potential. Additionally, an education teaches students to be good citizens and discern what a good political leader does and where bad leadership leads a nation. Knowing the value of an education is crucial to determining the future of education for both students and teachers.
Over the next ten years, I hope the education system changes in four ways. First, I hope that teachers receive better pay and that their hard work and dedication be recognized. Second, I hope there is a shift in the priorities of the public school system and teaching truth is emphasized. The world is full of confusion, and it is the responsibility of adults (both parents and teachers) to teach children the truth in every aspect of academics. Third, I hope there is a new paradigm about school and how children view it. Attending school is a privilege and should not be taken for granted. If schools do their part to train good teachers, pay them well, and make campuses a safe place for students, then there can be a shift against the stereotype that school is a burden. Lastly, I hope parents are more involved in their children’s lives and their educations. Children are the individuals who will one day be the adults of tomorrow. Parents are responsible for ensuring that their kids are being tested and growing in their academic activities and that they are regarded as people—not just names on a roll sheet. I hope that communities get more involved in the schools in their cities and towns so that all the improvements that need to occur are accomplished through a group effort. Concerning topics taught at schools, I hope that in the next ten years, there is an emphasis on teaching kids good money habits so they prepare to be financially stable adults. I hope schools teach their students about scholarships and grants and do everything possible to help students achieve a debt-free education. Additionally, I hope that schools can teach their students that being a stay-at-home mom is just as valuable as having a career and that moms and dads are a blessing. As adults, it is our responsibility to build the foundation for a better education system that prepares children in every aspect of their lives, so that they are prepared for a better and brighter future.