I wanted to share this essay I wrote for a possible scholarship for a master degree in education. Even if I don't receive the scholarship, I am proud of my past, career and the trajectory my future may take.
The Leslie and Howard Schultz Excellence in Jewish Education Award Essay
I was raised to follow the path to success. I just wasn’t given a roadmap. Being raised by a single parent, my mother enlisted the help of others. Luckily, the Jewish community has many support systems to aid in developing a strong people. I am a product of the Dallas Jewish community by de facto. As I reflect on it, I realize this is the primary influence and direction I have used throughout my life.
As a child, I benefited from participating in many Jewish organizations that would guide my life. I went to Young Judaea for summer sleep-away camp, I attended and worked at year-round youth activities and summer camps at the Jewish Community Center, I was active in BBYO, and I attended USY activities and graduated from Shearith Israel’s religious school.
After graduating college and without the strong Jewish connection I had in my adolescence, I was lost. I held a generic degree in Speech Communication and was working at the JCC preschool while I waited for a job to fall in my lap. The problem, or solution, was the only work experience I had was with children. Luckily, a road sign was coming up. Because of my work at the preschool, I now understood I wanted to be a teacher. I saw an advertisement and applied for the Dallas ISD alternative teacher certification program.
T. D. Jakes said, “If you can’t figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. For your passion will lead you right to your purpose.” Education would be my passion and become my purpose, and my participation in the Jewish community had guided it.
Though I worked full-time in public schools, I used my school breaks to take part-time work in the Jewish community. I chaperoned weekend conventions, taught Sundays and weeknights at religious school, and led activities at Young Judaea and then Camp Chai in the summers. All the time developing relationships with Jewish youth and their families. All the time influencing and teaching young staff to be better than they were the day before. All the time planning memorable experiences through special days while intertwining a love for Judaism and Israel. I felt working in the Jewish community kept me connected to the people who had supported and influenced me through my childhood. I squeezed in this commitment between my public school teaching positions yet it was through this part-time work that I received many of my most memorable educational experiences.
For instance, one year I was given a 2nd grade class to teach Sunday mornings at religious school. Though I have worked with all ages, I had not taught a full class of 7 year olds. I began to research activities that were tailored to 2nd grade. After each class, I took the challenges I faced and searched for techniques to improve the situation. I implemented a behavior plan for my students to encourage them to focus on their learning. I devised procedures to help them learn and practice Hebrew in pairs. I reached out to the parents for their support. I continued to do this and more throughout the school year to make their learning experience the best I could design and implement. This and many other experiences served as missed road signs to a path I should have explored further.
However, a clear road sign was just up ahead. Last August, my grandmother passed away. It was she who my mother put in charge of my Jewish education. It was she who made sure I attended religious school through 12th grade. It was she who assured I went to Jewish camps. And it was she, who fostered a love of Judaism for me. I hadn’t put it all together until I was listening to her eulogy. As I reflected on what she taught me, my experiences with Judaism, and all the ways she had influenced me, I made a decision that Jewish education would not be a supplement to my teaching career but my central focus.
In September, I attended “A Night to Celebrate Jewish Education.” I felt at home in a room full of educators and community members who supported us. I was inspired by Leslie and Howard Schultz’s contributions, and even more excited to see their grandson, Ben Romaner, speak. I was Ben’s Unit Head and club advisor when he was a child at Young Judaea and was proud to see what an eloquent speaker and reflective adult he had become. Later that evening, as Leslie Schultz walked passed me, she said, “Thank you for being a Jewish educator.” This event, the nachas I felt for Ben, and the kind words from Mrs. Schultz gave me more direction towards being a full-time Jewish educator.
Finally, this December, I received a follow up email from CJE reminding me about the opportunity to refine my educational practices with a masters from SMU. Now, my passion and purpose were colliding once again. I had used my Judaism as a supplement to my education. It was now time to make the commitment to devote my entire career to what has shaped me, what my grandmother devoted my youth to, what my mother always encourages me to stay true to -Judaism. I am currently applying to Levine Academy, Akiba Academy and Yavneh Academy for a full-time teaching position for the 2017-2018 school year.
With all this, receiving the scholarship to obtain a Master’s in Education, will not only continue my dream of being the best teacher I can be, but it will also strengthen my bond with the Jewish community that was fostered so long ago and continues to solidify today. I would be honored to receive this scholarship, and then dedicate my time to the CJE, my synagogue, the JCC, and hopefully my position at a Jewish school to continue shaping young, Jewish minds.
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