Personal Statements: Attending the University of Illinois

My decision to join the University of Illinois has been influenced by my personal, scholastic and professional experiences that have led me to see a distinct need for educators within the American education to improve the system. I have a Bachelor's degree in science Elementary Education from the University of Vermont. I have also completed my Masters in education school counseling and a post-graduate certificate school leadership from the University of Wilmington. The education that I got from these institutions has enabled me to be well versed in the counseling techniques and theories. I have also been able to apply different laws and education regulation to ensure the students get the skills, knowledge, and attitude that would help them succeed. The experiences I have attained as a special education counselor, school principal, and a student and family administrator has harnessed my ability to work with children of all ages.

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My short-term goals include advancing my knowledge of quantitative research and acquiring a sophisticated understanding of how to become a leader in the educational field. I wish to use these skills to promote equity in the educational arena and support and drive educational reform. My long-term goal is to use my experience and U of I training to help make education accessible to all, particularly the underprivileged. Whether I am working in the public or private sector, I look forward to addressing the nation's urgent need to educate its citizens efficiently and comprehensively.

The program is essential as it prepares students to address the interdisciplinary nature of problems related to learning environments, culture, and diversity. It also plays a critical role in nurturing relationships, lead classrooms, and build institutions that are successful, thriving, and stronger because of their diversity. Recognizing this informed a more profound commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion across our curriculum, in our classrooms, and our school.

It is critical to understand that the American classrooms are only becoming increasingly diverse regarding the cultures, and creeds they embody. Therefore, educators should have the skills and knowledge to create and sustain thriving environments. My highest aspiration as a professional is to prepare students to address the interdisciplinary nature of problems related to learning environments, culture, and diversity. The history of America shaped our future and based on the past racial and cultural challenges; we have a significant role to play as educators to ensure that the future generation is empowered to rise above various cultural challenges. I greatly feel that it is essential for students, staff, and families to learn about social justice and dismantling racism and other forms of oppression as well as learning how to challenge systemic forms of racism in school and the broader community.

My desire and encouragement from colleagues to pursue a doctoral education has been steadily building. The journey to conquer cultural barriers that destroy our education system has been long, and I hope to find a breakthrough so that I can become an agent of social change. When I began my teaching and coaching career in Southern Delaware, I am attracted to the doctoral program at the University of Illinois because it offers the kind of collaborative experience that suits my personal needs and professional goals. I am excited about the program's vast network and a strong cohort of colleagues that will follow me through my career. I most look forward to Social Discourse and the Diverse Learner taught by the faculty member, Greg Hamot. His session description: The session addresses the various ways students learn through social discourse on the subject matter, and how social dialogue helps all students to internalize the existence and significance of alternative points of view. The richness and diversity of experiences found in a classroom, combined with accompanying intellectual strengths, can work to meet individual learning needs and develop a multicultural understanding for all students when highlighted through cooperative learning activities aligned with the project-based. The learning environment in my current positions focuses on a charter high school in Delaware. Students arrive each morning from the inner city of Wilmington, numerous small towns throughout the state, to rural farms in the more southwestern locations.

I endeavor to discover opportunities to use expertise in data, operations, policy, and more to make a difference for students and families within my school, and state education system, to address how changes can be made at a systemic level. I seek to clarify equity and diversity issues and to identify strategies and tools to support efforts to build and manage diversity and equity initiatives. My lifelong mission is to equip people with the tools they need to succeed and rise to their maximum potential, no matter where they may have begun in life.

Respecting cultures begins with understanding the culture and its histories. This past election has made it apparent that our public education system is failing to create socially and culturally aware citizens. Fear of the "other" is spreading throughout the US, it is our jobs as educators to create productive citizens, and citizens that can recognize marginalization and injustice. The importance of teaching all of history. How we can use education as a vehicle for a progressive and accepting society. The importance of recognizing injustice for what it is.

My priorities have shifted, and after a great deal of soul-searching, I want to use my education, experiences and heartfelt compassion for minorities, the disadvantaged and underserved populations that need to be given every opportunity and encouragement to rise above their circumstances. Now more than ever, in this economic climate, there has never been a more critical time for people from all walks of life to develop themselves, aiding in the reconstruction efforts.

The University of Illinois's School of Education is my sole choice for academic development, impressing me at every turn in my research with the breadth and autonomy of its curriculum. Moreover, its dynamic student body, fantastic faculty, and access to seemingly limitless resources and research grants make the University of Illinois stand out from the other schools. More importantly, after reviewing the School of Education's faculty's contributions to the field, I feel that the mindset is directly in line with my ambitions.

The prospect of attending the University of Illinois is incredibly exciting to me. Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to acceptance in the program.