I am currently enrolled in the EdD program I’m teaching and learning at Grand Canyon University. This degree is essential for me because this great achievement gets me one step closer to where I want to be in life as a professional. My goal in life is to be an instructor at the community college level. I wish to teach at a community college in particular because there is a misinterpretation of students that attend community college. Often times it is believed that those students are lacking academically, or cannot afford to go to a four-year right out of high school. Being one of those students that came from a community college I have gone through my education with a chip on my shoulder. When transferring to a private 4 year University I was reminded right away that the implicit biases towards community college students were indeed true. Maybe the students were right, maybe I was lacking academically at the time, and maybe I didn’t come from a financially stable home. Never the less I used every ounce of my circumstances to motivate my educational journey thus far. I intend to carry that same passion into my professional career as an instructor. With that, my goal is to inspire students to remain motivated and use their education as a crutch to fuel success.

Community involvement is very important in terms of the ongoing development of one’s community. Over the years I have come to realize that what you put in directly reflects what you ultimately get out of it. If a community does not collectively give back, they will not experience any possible benefits. I am someone that seeks to invest both directly and indirectly. I think it is important to prioritize utilizing your career for the benefit of others as well. I have helped my community first by giving back to school as an employee, and further prioritizing my education. I am currently working as a long-term substitute teacher at my old high school in the midst of pursuing my doctorate in education emphasizing adult education. When I am not engaged in schoolwork or teaching, I tutor a handful of students each week to help them develop academically. I have a passion for education and inspiring kids to utilize it just as I was taught. Upon graduating, my goal is to become a full-time instructor at the community college level teaching communication studies and leadership studies. I intend to enhance inclusion and diversity within my classroom guiding students to the fullest potential both academically and professionally. I hope to impact each student that walks into my classroom and inspiring them to better than they were upon entering. I intend to utilize my approachability to have substantial conversations with my students that last long after they walk out of my classroom.

I am currently working as a long-term substitute teacher in the midst of pursuing my doctorate in education emphasizing adult education. When I am not engaged in schoolwork or teaching, I tutor a handful of students each week to help them develop academically. I have a passion for education and inspiring black boys and girls to utilize it just as I was taught. I am currently taking out loans to pay for school. My wife is also in school so I am currently supporting both of us on my substitute salary. However, we are blessed and fortunate to make the rent and pay bills each month. My goal in seeking scholarships is to pay for school without having to take out more loans increasing my loan sum. Upon graduating, my goal is to become a full-time instructor at the community college level teaching communication studies and leadership studies. I intend to enhance inclusion and diversity within my classroom guiding students to the fullest potential both academically and professionally. I hope to impact each student that Walks into my classroom and inspire those students that look like me. Lastly, I intend to utilize my approachability to have substantial conversations with my students that last long after they walk out of my classroom.

My name is David Booker Jr and I take pride in hard work and dedication when it comes to steering success in my life. My faith is incredibly important to me as it drives me daily to maintain a life of substance and integrity. I have taken my education very seriously as well earning a bachelor’s degree in communication studies emphasizing interpersonal studies and a master’s degree in leadership development both from Azusa Pacific University. I am now pursuing a doctorate in education at Grand Canyon University where I am looking to fulfill my long time goal of becoming a full-time professor at the Community College level. I have a passion for those attending community college specifically because I remember my time there, and how I approach my education lacking confidence and direction. Though I have gone through several struggles throughout my life, I have remained resilient due to those that have sacrificed and dedicated their time and effort to my success. Their sacrifices have inspired me greatly, and I intend now to bless and inspire others in any way I can. Throughout this journey of pursuing my doctoral degree, my hope is to not only achieve my career goals but to make a significant impact in the education system. Coming from the community that I grew up in, prioritizing education is not the main focus for young black boys and girls. It was only through athletics that I would hear the idea of attending college, specifically earning an athletic scholarship. Because I grew up in a low-income neighborhood that had its negative influences and dangers, just graduating high school and finding employment was enough. It is my goal to not only be an example for others but to go back into that community and take action serving those children that are just like me. My message to them would be that they are capable of being anything in life that they choose to be if they are willing to sacrifice and put in the work. I am currently preparing myself to achieve these goals by putting in the work and remaining dedicated myself. I believe that before I open my mouth, people will already know my intentions based on my actions. I intend to remain active in pursuit of achieving the goals that I have set for myself. Being in this place that I am in working toward my doctorate is already exceeding expectations where I come from, however, for me, that is not enough. I hope to learn all that I can over the course of this program so that I have more to give. I am also not waiting until my degree is finished to engage in my community. I know that I am well equipped to take action now and in doing so children and even adults will be able to see what it looks like to engage in a strenuous process and persevere through the struggle. I hope to inspire people through the highs and lows leaning on my faith, and passion to succeed and see others succeed.

I like to shop at Boohooman and God the Father Merch.

Being adopted in America has brought about its own set of challenges, however, it has also sparked a drive in me since I was a child. Growing up I always felt bad for myself. I would always look at other family’s even my own adopted family and saw just how much they loved their children. I would question why my parents didn’t want me, and why after all of these years have they not come looking for me. It was hard to come to grips with. Even going into undergrad as a track and field athlete, I would always try to perform well in hopes that they would see my adoptive name and maybe reach out to me. I lived that unhealthy life for years, and though it drove me for the better, it was like constantly knocking at a door that I thought might never open. It wasn’t until recently getting married that I started to focus on my new life with my new family in my wife and the children that we will have in the future. I begin to realize that everything that I wanted was right in front of me and that my past doesn’t affect the father that I will be to my children. I am now inspired and motivated in my adoption. I am blessed that the Lord has brought me through every trial, and I am blessed with the people he has brought into my life throughout the process. Though I have not yet met my biological family I am now happy and content. I believe there is hope in the future with that being a possibility, however, I am not living each day waiting on a phone call or a knock at the door. Going into this new season of life, as I begin my doctoral program this month, I plan to use this award to grow as a student and as a husband. This scholarship will take the pressure off of me in terms of work and it will allow me to focus on just education and not doing additional work to make ends meet. It will better my time management to also work on my marriage in the process. I hope to use this scholarship in my second semester where I will begin working on my dissertation that I believe will be pivotal research, beneficial to many people from all walks of life. I hope that in completion of this doctorate I can impact the lives of maybe people with similar upbringings as myself.