For DonorsFor Applicants

Albrianna Jane Memorial Scholarship

Funded by
$500
1 winner$500
Awarded
Application Deadline
Sep 2, 2024
Winners Announced
Oct 2, 2024
Education Level
High School, Undergraduate
Eligibility Requirements
Education Level:
High school or undergraduate student
State:
Michigan
Field of Study:
Teaching

 Albrianna Jane was a beloved sister, daughter, granddaughter, and best friend to so many. She was a fearless 14 year old girl with an infectious smile who tragically passed too soon. She loved basketball with her Special Olympics Team and was always so much fun to be around. She succeeded because of the care, time, and support of so many teachers around her which drove her to want to be a teacher as well.

Educators engage in crucial work and are uniquely capable of impacting the next generation of students and inspiring them to dream big and change the world. Every day, teachers work tirelessly to impart wisdom and confidence in their students so that they are better prepared to go out into the world and succeed.

This scholarship aims to honor the life of Albrianna Jane by supporting students who are devoted to teaching.

Any high school or undergraduate student who is a Michigan resident majoring in teaching may apply for this scholarship opportunity, but applicants pursuing special education are preferred.

To apply, tell us about your past and how it has impacted your decision to teach. Additionally, tell us about any policies or support options you’d like to change.

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Drive, Passion
Published April 23, 2024
Essay Topic

Please share as much of your past experience as you'd like and how that formed your pursuit in the support and teaching of special needs children. Are there any policies or local support options you'd like to change?

400–600 words

Winning Application

Emily Farran
Cedarville UniversityJackson, MI
I have known for some time that I wanted a degree in education, specifically in the area of Special Education. My younger sister has severe dyslexia, which is what initially guided me to the Special Education degree. I watched her struggle for years to learn just the names of the letters until she would eventually break down in tears, while my mother who was trying to teach her was also in tears. My sister was only five and already hated school because the mainstream way of learning didn’t work for her, which were the programs my mother homeschooled my older sister and me with. When my mother switched to a program specifically designed for dyslexic kids, however, my little sister thrived. It was amazing to see her attitude change when learning in a way that made sense to her but was heartbreaking to know just how many other kids struggling to learn just like her. Growing up with my sister showed me that I love interacting with those who have learning disabilities and special needs. From a young age, I was always playing with one of my friends who had Aspergers and also a little girl at our church who had Down Syndrome. I watched people around me not know how to interact with an Asperger's child or be afraid to talk with a kid who has Down Syndrome. It pushed me to want to educate and help those children so they feel and know that they have a place in this world instead of being dismissed to the sidelines. Advocating for people with disabilities and those in special education is something that every teacher should strive to make a habit. It hurts my heart when I am in classrooms observing for my degree and seeing the way teachers talk about special education students. The teachers haven’t been properly educated about the student’s strengths and abilities and therefore often limit their potential. Something I would love to accomplish in the future is to change the way teachers are educated. I would love for every teacher to have more intensive classes while pursuing their degree to help them understand the special education students they will undoubtedly have in their classrooms. The teachers need to be able to understand the students’ behaviors, strengths and weaknesses, and abilities, but unfortunately, I believe that is something severely lacking. I am currently pursuing a dual degree in Elementary Education and also Special Education, and I believe the classes that the P-5 grade only students have to take are not informative enough to properly prepare them for the classroom. I believe that every child should feel seen and changing how future teachers are educated is a way to help ensure that every student will know they are loved and have a place in this world.

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Sep 2, 2024. Winners will be announced on Oct 2, 2024.