Mrs. Marilyn Christie, my 1st and 2nd grade teacher is my why. Mrs. Christie went well above her teacher duties during the most difficult time in my life. My mom died from cancer and Mrs. Christie looped up with my class that year. Her kindness and attention (often pulling me aside before the bell rang to braid my waist length hair) taught me how to care and nurture the whole child. That is my why. I wanted to grow up to be a Mrs. Christie.

My most memorable experience was teaching first grade at a charter school in Highland Park, Michigan. One year I was approached by my principal and asked to host the Black History Celebration we were having the following month. Being one of three white teachers, I hesitated at first, but then met her challenge. As a first generation Maltese, I was taught to proud of my heritage. This led me to host the event with Black History and Pride by sharing inventions and contributions that were made.

Scholarships are important. Some ideas are for future first generation educators like myself and for future educators raised in a single parent home like my daughter. It never made sense to me that many companies pay for their employers to further their education often times paying for a masters degree but yet teachers must continue their education to be highly qualified but are responsible for paying these loans. To pay off student loans for my daughter and I would be a blessing.