Beatrice Diaz Memorial Scholarship

I walked into my eighth-grade elective, ecstatic since I was finally old enough to be a teacher's aide for my elementary school. I was placed in one of the second grade classes and from the very first day, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in teaching. I also quickly felt that I wanted to work with the general age range of kindergarteners to third-graders. That year was significantly impactful for me in the sense that I had real-world experience in the career field of my choice, but I also made meaningful relationships with the students and the teacher of the class. I get the opportunity to see them sometimes, and it warms my heart to see the kids who I helped with their projects playing basketball and volleyball for the first time! I am pursuing a career in teaching because I believe every child should have the opportunity for advancement, support, and learning. Every student should be able to have a visible amount of progress from the beginning to the end of the school year. No matter the circumstances, as teachers we are called to walk alongside our students to help them receive education but also life skills and, especially at younger ages, social skills. Without this kind of advancement, science, math, or reading, are great tools in a broken toolbox. Advancement can also refer to social mobility. I want the students I teach to grow and become the best versions of themselves who can have the greatest impact. No matter their starting point, I want them to believe they can achieve their dreams. Support should be received by every student every year. There are instances where behavior has to be discouraged, however, the general student should not be diminished. I wish for every child that is in my future class to be supported. In our world today, children have to see hardships and disgusting events that I hope we can one day fix but, until that day, I want each of my prospective students to be comforted in knowing that they always have someone who will listen and care for them no matter what they are facing. Learning is a process that should never stop. As a society and individuals, we should all be learning about ourselves, each other, and our world. I believe that the vast majority of society's problems can be solved through learning and understanding each other and truth. I want to be a catalyst for the spreading of knowledge to the next generations. I believe that teaching is the best platform for me to accomplish this and the way that I can best serve my community. The more we know, the more ways we can solve problems, expand resources, and spread truth within our local and worldwide communities. Although my first exposure to teaching has been through the lens of a student, I am now an afterschool care teacher and I have been a teacher's aide, both of which have given me a purpose for the direction of my future. I will become a teacher, and I will equip all of my students with the resources they require for advancement in my class and their future, to be supported, and to learn. All of these characteristics should be customary for every class, but I will prioritize them in my future classroom.

Hello, I am Niyelete Barras, a senior in the class of 2024. Throughout my high school years, I have maintained an impressive academic record as an honor roll student, consistently earning A's and B's. However, my achievements extend beyond the classroom, as I have been actively involved in various extracurricular activities and community service projects. For two years now, I have proudly served as the Alief Taylor Varsity cheer captain, fostering a sense of unity and dedication among my teammates. In addition, I am a member of the Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE) club, where I have actively participated in a head start program to obtain my Texas teaching certifications. My passion for teaching led me to become a student teacher for 6th-grade math, and I plan to extend this experience to teaching elementary students in the upcoming year. As a student teacher, I have honed my skills by conducting lessons, creating engaging presentations, and developing a comprehensive website to showcase my teaching materials and accomplishments, which will be beneficial when seeking future teaching opportunities. Outside of school, I am an active member of the Top Teens Of America Houston Chapter, where we engage in various community service projects to make a positive impact on society. Moreover, I am enthusiastic about completing my final year as a Girl Scout to achieve the prestigious Golden Award. This award not only opens doors for college admissions but also allows me to contribute further to my community. For my Golden Award project, I decided to create a math website filled with interactive games and problem-solving activities, aiming to help students learn and practice math while having fun. I identified math as a significant challenge for some of the students I encountered during my time as a student teacher, and I wanted to provide them with accessible resources to strengthen their foundational skills and succeed in their academic journey. My journey to becoming a teacher was not initially straightforward. Originally, I aspired to be a photographer, drawn to the idea of capturing meaningful moments through images. However, a life-changing event reshaped my ambitions. When faced with a difficult situation, I confided in my teacher, Ms. Jordan, who provided unwavering support and encouraged me to be open about my struggles. Her guidance led me out of a period of depression, and I realized the profound impact teachers can have on their students' lives. This experience ignited a desire in me to help others just as Ms. Jordan had helped me. From that moment, I knew that I wanted to become a teacher and be a source of support and encouragement for my future students. Becoming a teacher is not merely a personal endeavor for my own happiness; it is driven by a genuine passion to make a positive difference in the lives of my students. My ultimate goal is to create an inclusive and supportive environment where every child feels valued and knows they can turn to me for guidance. I want to assure my students that they are never alone in their struggles and that I will always lend a listening ear and a helping hand.

As a child, I would spend all morning at school, and then come home and play school with my dolls in the afternoon. I have loved school since the first day I walked into my K3 classroom. This love for education has stayed with me until now. Ever since I was a small child, I have wanted to be a teacher, so that I would be able to share my love of learning with future generations of children. When I was in middle school, I had a wonderful math teacher who completely changed the way I saw the world of mathematics. She challenged me to grow as a learner and as a person. It was obvious that she was not only knowledgeable about what she was teaching, but that she was passionate about mathematical literacy. I thrived under her instruction, and she opened my eyes to a whole new way of looking at the world. However, my classmates struggled in math more than they did in any other subject. I soon discovered that I had a talent for explaining these concepts in a way my classmates could relate to them better. This began a passion in me to help students understand mathematical concepts in a way that they can relate to more easily. This talent I have for teaching and the love I have for learning are perfectly combined with my getting an education degree. I hope to use this degree to impact many generations of students and to share with them, even if it is in a small way, how wonderful learning can be. I am fascinated by the possibility of impacting children's and teenagers' lives, and I am passionate about helping them achieve their full potential and reach their goals. If I can have even half of the impact of the many excellent and knowledgeable teachers who came before me, I will count that as a wonderful legacy to leave behind. I hope to teach in a middle school or high school after I graduate with my undergraduate degree. I also would love to continue my education by getting a master's degree. I would consider it a huge privilege to be able to use some of my unique skills and experiences to impact students in a great way. I am especially passionate to be able to encourage Hispanic students in the USA to succeed, as well as to help students who struggle in math to be successful. I also hope to be an inspiration to any of my students who love math and education. But most of all, I want to be a teacher who loves her students and helps them to be the best versions of themselves that they can be.