Student Scholarships

Hometown: Industry, Pennsylvania

High School: Western Beaver High School

Major: Early Childhood and Special Education

Why I chose this field: Isabella says that she chose to go into this field because growing up, I used to always babysit for many people. I loved it, and I was naturally good at it. I never thought of it as a career for me even though it fits my personality perfectly. I thought I wanted to be a pilot so I could travel, but I want to be family oriented and stay close to home, I feel that I can read children and know what they need very easily, and they gravitate towards me for help. Once I turned 18 years old, I started working at a daycare and found that I really do love working with children. You create bonds with the children and you learn each of their personalities and dislikes. It is very fascinating how children think very differently than us because they are still developing, it’s so much more than just teaching simple math or English. It is about helping them to become good human beings.  I love to feel that I am their safe space and can help with anything. 

Hometown: Toronto, Ohio

High School: Toronto Jr. Sr. High School 

Major: Early Childhood and Special Education

Why I chose this field:

My love for working with kids started right at home, my mom runs a home daycare, so I grew up surrounded by wonderful children. Being around them all the time showed me just how fun, inspiring, and special it is to help little ones learn, grow, and reach their big milestones!

My path became even clearer through working with two amazing nonverbal autistic kids who completely stole my heart. Learning how they communicate, sharing in their everyday victories, and watching them flourish made me fall deeply in love with special education. They remind me every single day that every child is wonderfully unique and learns in their own special way.

I want to be the kind of teacher who brightens a child’s world and cheers them on every step of the way. I have a goal of creating a cozy, welcoming classroom where every single student feels safe, valued, and loved for exactly who they are. I can’t wait to have a classroom of my own one day and help my future students shine!

Hometown: Wellsburg, West Virginia

High School: Brooke High School

Major: Early Childhood and Special Education

Why I chose this field: I chose this field after I had the pleasure of assisting with the South Pointe Grizzlies special needs ice hockey team. Coaching these children developed my interest in wanting to become a teacher. I had the privilege of playing goalie during their practices. Interacting with the players allowed me to grow as a person. I loved getting to be a coach, friend, and role model to these children. They never saw hockey as a competition, rather they saw it as an activity to play, make friends, and grow their love for their interests. When I get discouraged at my hockey games, or life in general, I think back to the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies taught me things coaches, teachers, and parents could never. So just like the Grizzlies taught me, I want to be able to teach students with disabilities and learn from them as well.

Hometown: Knox, Pennsylvania

High School: Keystone High School

Major: Early Childhood and Special Education

Why I chose this field: I chose this field because growing up, I babysat all the time and loved being able to work with kids any chance I got, even though I never thought of it as a future career. I always thought I wanted to go to culinary school because one of my passions was baking and I wanted to continue doing so as I got older. But that changed my sophomore year in high school as I had the pleasure to assist an amazing teacher in the special education life skills classroom at my school. While being there I formed a strong relationship with the teacher of the class admiring her strong drive to advocate and help her students succeed. As I taught her students how to make different recipes, they taught me that being an educator is what I am meant to do. I was able to find so much joy in successfully helping them accomplish this new life skill being so proud of themselves, that after doing so the first time I knew I wanted to continue doing so for a long time to come. So as I start my road to being an educator I hope to one day be just like Mrs. G and her students advocating, teaching, and learning from my own classroom of students with disabilities.

Hometown: Perkasie, Pa 

High School: Pennridge High School 

Major: Early Childhood and Special Education 

Why I chose this field: I chose to become an early childhood and special education teacher because of the strong influence of my mom, who is also a teacher. Growing up, I saw firsthand the passion, patience, and dedication she brought to her students every day, and it inspired me to follow a similar path. Watching the difference she made in children’s lives showed me the impact a teacher can have, and it motivated me to pursue a career where I could support young learners and students with diverse needs. Her example instilled in me a love for teaching and a commitment to making education meaningful and inclusive for all children. I’ve always loved working with children and find joy in helping them discover their strengths. My passion for special education comes from wanting every child, no matter their abilities or challenges, to feel valued and supported. By following in my mom’s footsteps, I hope to make the same kind of positive impact on students’ lives that she has made throughout her career. I am also a Paraprofessional for Kelly Services, and those experiences have given me great insight into the teacher I want to someday become. I am part of the Trees Network and the Division One women's soccer team at Robert Morris.