I am currently a junior majoring in elementary education here at Elizabeth City State University. I selected my major at the age of 13 while assisting my mother with her Day Care. I wanted to make a difference in a child’s life, just like my mother did. Through watching my mother with the children, I learned that vital development and long lasting skills are cultivated within children while they are young.

As I approach my graduation from Elizabeth City State University, I feel my passion to impact children’s lives, becoming more and more of a reality. I’m anxious to begin teaching in the classroom, but I would also like to attend graduate school to achieve a Master’s in Administration. I plan on becoming Nationally Board Certified as well, so I can teach anywhere in the United States.

With these exciting plan’s that I have for my future and of those children I come into contact with, I also understand that I will need all the assistance that I can get to reach my goals, Just as I was given the opportunity to meet an extraordinary woman by the name of Dr. Linda Hayden. Dr. Hayden became an inspirational character in my life and gave me the resources necessary to begin my quest for success. With Dr. Hayden’s help, I was accepted into an intern position at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. I learned a lot there this summer and could possibly go back there to work as an Aerospace Education Specialist (AESP) who travels to various schools and give presentations on space and all the current events happening in science, technology, engineering, and math.

In five years, I see myself teaching in one of the counties in the North Carolina schools system. In ten years I will probably still be teaching, but if I stayed focused, I could possibly be involved in administration. Right now I see myself continuing with my preparations as part of the Office of Naval Research (ONR).