Life Aspirations by Ruth

Life Aspirations by Ruth - November 2023 Scholarship Essay

Hey there, my name is Ruth Santos. I am 18 years old and was born in the suburban city of Escondido. Despite the fact that I didn't select my name, I believe it accurately defines who I am. I am currently majoring in Liberal Studies at the University of California Riverside, to fulfill my career as a public elementary teacher.
As a firstborn child and a first-generation student, I decided to attend college to make my parents proud of my accomplishments in life and make a positive impact on student’s lives. At a young age, I've always had a piqued interest in becoming a teacher. I've never known the reason behind my career choice, but recently I've realized why. This is a result of my positive childhood interactions with teachers. I've always had this strong connection with them that helped my Hispanic parents engage in my education. As the first child, I didn’t have the opportunity to get help from my Hispanic parents with homework or any school assignments because they never received the same education as me. However, my parents found various ways to support me by taking the time to communicate with my teachers despite their language barriers.
When I become a teacher, I plan to make a difference, even if it’s a slight classroom difference. I want to inspire all my students. I aim to build a bright future not only for myself but for children at a young age. I will utilize my abilities and attributes to make young potential leaders strive for their ambitions and goals. By becoming an educator, my purpose is for my students to understand the importance of education and how they can use it to give back to their community with their given strengths.