Lessons Beyond the Classroom by Alexander

Lessons Beyond the Classroom by Alexander - January 2025 Scholarship Essay

There are many people who have had an impact on my educational journey over the years. I have had many teachers that have inspired and pushed me to be the best that I possibly could be. My kindergarten teacher, Ms. Wilson, taught me what it meant to work hard and always made sure that I was challenging myself. My computer science teacher, Ms. Kilgas, ignited a passion within in for the subject and is the main reason I chose to pursue it as I head into my first year of college. Despite having all of these wonderful teachers though, the person who has had the most impact on my educational journey is actually my mom. She has pushed me harder than anyone else and has made me into the person that I am today.

When I officially started my schooling I was three years old, but I was already learning important skills much earlier than that. I can still remember the flashcards and the educational games my mom would use to teach me how to read and do basic math. My mom was herself a teacher for many years, and she understands the importance of a good education. As a first-generation college student in her family, she chose to pursue a degree as a teacher because of her passion for learning and for giving back to the community. She no longer teaches, but even still her core belief in the importance of education has not changed. She will not accept anything other than the absolute best from me when it comes to school, and I am incredibly grateful to her for it. More than just ensuring that I work hard though, she has also taught me to take great pride in the work that I do. If it wasn’t for my mom, I don’t know if I would understand the true importance of doing everything to the best of my ability. This skill has also extended to things outside of school like my basketball career and even my everyday life. Finally, the biggest impact that my mom has had on me is her unyielding support. If I ever needed help with some difficult material from any class, she would be there to help me to the best of her ability. She always made sure that my schooling was paid for and fought to ensure that I was getting the highest level of education possible. Before anything else though, she was and still is my mother. If I ever need someone to talk to, I know that she will be there for me.

I don’t think there is anyone else in my life that understands the importance of a good education more than my mother. As a former teacher herself, her passion for learning has only increased as time goes on, and I am forever grateful to her for instilling that same passion in me. While she can be strict sometimes, there isn’t anyone else that has had a bigger impact on my educational journey than her. My mother has many sayings, but the one that I think embodies her the most is this: “Excuses are monuments of nothingness.”