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Elizabeth LaPadula

1,575

Bold Points

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Finalist

Bio

In 2010, I lived in New Orleans as a volunteer. I experienced profound poverty and never thought about education in the same way again. My neighborhood was dangerous. My immediate neighbors were tied up, beaten, and robbed. My roommate’s car was broken into. I finally left my first apartment right after Christmas, when my roommate explained her friend had been murdered, and it wasn’t safe for any of us to stay. Without money, my options were limited, and I moved a few blocks away to the next ward. In addition to regularly feeling like danger was imminent, I also lived the shame of being unable to provide for myself. I will never forget running out of food stamps, being denied by a cashier, and returning items to their shelves. No matter what adversity I faced, though, I still had my education. I had a way out while my neighbors did not. I no longer took my education for granted, and I left New Orleans more impassioned to serve in education than ever. I am now a teacher because I work to empower others. I work to equip students to be the main drivers of their own lives and become self-aware, global citizens. A person is educated when they are independent, life-long learners. They can research anything, make their own informed decisions, and take action through intentional expression. A well-educated person is empowered to navigate the world and fulfill their life purpose and dreams. A well-educated person cannot be stopped. I am proud to play a role in young people’s lives that will help them on their way to becoming their highest selves.

Education

National University

Master's degree program
2021 - 2023
  • Majors:
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
    • Special Education and Teaching

Boston College

Bachelor's degree program
2006 - 2010
  • Majors:
    • History
  • Minors:
    • Geological/Geophysical Engineering
    • Philosophy

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Master's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Education

    • Dream career goals:

      Help others self-actualize as I grow, too.

    • High School Physics Teacher

      Dallas Independent School District
      2012 – 20131 year
    • Manager, Customer Success

      NoRedInk
      2017 – 20203 years
    • Customer Success Account Manager

      Amazon
      2013 – 20174 years

    Sports

    Volleyball

    Intramural
    2009 – 20101 year

    Awards

    • Refereed as 3rd job while full-time undergrad

    Track & Field

    Varsity
    2002 – 20064 years

    Awards

    • Qualified for States (400m)

    Soccer

    Junior Varsity
    2002 – 20042 years

    Awards

    • Most Spirited

    Volleyball

    Club
    2004 – 20062 years

    Awards

    • Team Captain

    Research

    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods

      Stanford University — Auditor
      2014 – 2015

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Building Educated Leaders for Life (B.E.L.L.) — Tutor
      2011 – 2012
    • Volunteering

      Americorps — Volunteer Coordinator
      2010 – 2011
    • Volunteering

      FOG Readers (San Francisco Public Library) — Tutor
      2018 – 2019
    • Volunteering

      San Francisco Education Fund — Teacher's Assistant
      2013 – 2014

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Politics

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Suraj Som Aspiring Educators Scholarship
    Science and math are languages to discover and explain natural and supernatural phenomena; they are descriptors of God the Universe (Mother Nature) and descriptors of who we are in relationship to God. Likewise, to pursue science and math is to pursue understanding about our own spirits and connection to Nature. As individuals and as a global community, the more we pursue and learn about our connections to Nature and our natural selves, the more we discover the purpose of our singular lives and that of the collective human race. The most acute experience I've had that represents my belief about the connection between spirituality and science is my experience with Okyu, an ancient Japanese healing tradition. As a patient, I listened to the practitioner, Mukund (a Harvard and Stanford graduate), while he tended to me: "Let Nature be your parents," he advised. Earlier, he had called forth the Spirits of animals, of "everything that creeps and crawls," and supernatural forces to bear witness and aid in the healing of my spirit via my body. As Mukund tended to spiritual wounds that were physically inflicted years ago by a violent father, he encouraged me to find parental love and wisdom in the living beings all around me; by observing them, seeing how they grew and related to one another, and by understanding my own identity within the natural world. Using only his hands, moss, garlic, and fire, Mukund electrified my nervous system, my muscle tissue, my spine. I felt where he dug into my body, kneading my organs carefully, releasing toxins I didn't know I carried. I cannot explain everything that happened that miraculous day, but the best way I can describe its outcome was that my spirit came fully into my body in a way I had not known was possible. Colors became brighter, music became sweeter, food tasted more flavorful, and I felt a brightness and joy in my body that I never knew had been missing my entire life. I noticed the absence of fear. For the first time in my life, I felt relaxed in the presence of middle-aged men; men I knew were trustworthy, like my friends' fathers, organizational leaders at work, well-meaning doctors in their offices with closed doors. Even though I had known there was no threat, my body used to panic. My heart would race, my palms would sweat, my stomach would wrap up into knots. After Okyu, though, that panic was gone, and it's never come back. A whole new world has opened to me, one where I feel confident and enjoy the richness and humanity in all people. I am living out my philosophy that spirit and science are connected in the body and described by math. I am currently studying to teach middle and high school students these disciplines specifically. Furthermore, because of gratitude for my own survival and healing, I choose to work with populations where there is a high likelihood students have experienced or are experiencing trauma like I did. While I’m not a certified practitioner like Mukund, my experiences inform how I interpret and respond to wounded behavior when I recognize it in others, and I’m eager to incorporate all the tools I’ve collected to benefit children who are also on their journeys to live fully. The connection between spirituality, science, and math is not just an interesting overlay; it is a profound tool that, when wielded with intention, can heal and transform people into higher versions of themselves. We need to understand this connection in order to fulfill our purpose as individuals and as the collective.