What Does My Education Mean To Me

School has always been an important part of my family's life. My parents worked several jobs to make sure my three siblings and I had what we needed for school. My grandmother always lectured us about doing well so we could get into a nice college - an opportunity she never had. I remember watching my older brother go off to kindergarten and throwing tantrums because I wanted to go too. My mother made sure we all knew our alphabet and nursery rhymes before we even got into school. We grew up with some disadvantages, but my family did what they could so that we were on the same playing field as all the other kids.

One of the greatest influences in my life was having a single parent mother who gave birth to me at the age of seventeen and sequentially dropped out of high school. She later went back and finished, which demonstrated to me the importance of education and having a never-give-up attitude. Her determination and example greatly influenced my decision to go to college and eventually to graduate school. To be completely honest, I didn’t fully understand one aspect of the bi directional influence until a recent conversation with my mother when she informed me that me being the first in the family to graduate from college and my drive for success has caused her to continue her education even when she wants to give up. She sat back in her chair and quoted one of her favorite scriptures; “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (NKJV Joshua 1:9 p. 252).

My mother grew up to parents who never graduated from elementary school and this influenced her life in profound ways. She saw how her parents were living and wanted to create a better life not only for herself but also

Similarly, my Mother advised a great deal in my choice to continue with my education. Back in 1988, when I was seven years old, my mother graduated college with a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education. Watching her work tirelessly while trying to raise me, work full time and attempting full-time credit hours, instilled in me the desire and drive to achieve my goals. She has been my role model as a non-traditional student. She helped me achieve a workable school/work/life balance. She has been my constant cheerleader since my decision to return to college and pursue an undergraduate degree.

I didn’t know it at the time, but I believe because of my experience that set the foundation for the student that I am today. My brother started Kindergarten and my mother would drop me off at the babysitter so she could go to school. My first “academic memory” is remembering my mother sitting at the table saying she had homework, my brother not wanting to be bothered because he had homework. So when my mom didn’t have school and my brother had school together WE did homework. That became our time together, she didn’t send me to school, she created school at the kitchen table. She had books, worksheets, cards, and my own folder. My mother loves to remind me how I use to tell everyone that I didn’t go to preschool. Fast Forward five years, my friends were getting grounded for their grades and asking me why I never got in trouble for mine. My friends and I spoke with my mom and her reply was, “I believe if you do your best, try your hardest, and do everything you can to be the best you can- I don’t believe in punishing Bethany. Now, If Bethany didn’t try her best, try her hardest, do everything she could to get the best grades she can then we will look at why.” My friend looked at me and said “Oh, you're lucky! I wish I had your mom!” I never shared that all my grades were A’s, because I did my best, I tried my hardest and I did everything I could to get the best grades I could and I still do. If I need to study for 3 hours, If I need to seek out a teacher, plan a study group with friends or students who can help, I’ll do what I need to do. I appreciate the academic recognitions as they continue to motivate me. I am not afraid of hard work and I believe this will benefit the National Honor

I come from a household of three: my mother, my father, and I. Both of my parents graduated from high school. My mother was only able to complete her first year of college in the Dominican Republic before she moved to the United States with my father. She, like me, was also studying psychology. Even though both have only finished their high school, my parents have always seen the value of education, especially my mother. From my childhood to my adult years, my parents have encouraged me to do my best in school because they believed education was the best way to succeed in life.

My mother was invested in my early education. She always read me stories as a child, and forced me to read them myself as I got older. She bought me a multiplication table chart and put it in my room so that I'd memorize it. She forced my brother to give me science lessons and he would teach me about the stars. She even put me in private daycares and preschools to make sure I received a quality education before I entered public school. It was because of her that at 4 I already had my own library at home. At 6 I read my first 800 page book in 8 hours about the backstory of every Disney Princess. At 10 I was recommended to skip a grade because of my overall exceptional academic performance, with two 100s on my statewide standardized testing - English and History - and high 90s on my other tests. Despite any

What does education mean to us in America? Does it mean better money? Better job? More opportunities? While this was the promise that was told us Americans since we were children, decades later that promise doesn't seem so promising. Since we were children we were asked the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”. We were told we could be anything we wanted to be, as long as we did well in school, then we would go to college where you can make your dreams come true. But now those dreams are just looking like dreams. College graduates are leaving school with no jobs and mounting debts, schools are closing in urban cities as well as dropout rates increasing. Our education system is in a crisis. This is a result of our old way of

All my life, my mom has been by my side motivating and directing me in the rite direction. When you get older you start realizing your mom will not always be there to hold your hand through life. A little under two years ago I had mu son Thiago. Having a child is a life changing epierience for most people, but for me it was an eye opener. I had to immidiatly grow up, not only to think about how to better my life but his life as well. Every day I wake up Isee my son sleeping so iinnocently not knowing what to expect of his day or his future to come. Because of Thiago I am motivated to strive at a good education to provide a stable future for the both of us. That being said , every day god gives me another day to see my son that's all the

When I was 13 years old, I learned an important lesson that changed my lifestyle. My mother was a person who takes care of everything for me, and she raised me as a good person. I entered Cai Be middle school with an A grade, and my mother was so proud of me. I thought that it was enough for what she expects at me as a good student. Until one day, a lesson from mother taught me to be a good student is not enough.

Also, I was a highly involved student. I participated in two sports and was a part of six different organizations. Two of those clubs being math team and science team. If I did not participate in those two I could not do any other organizations. She told me "academic clubs are good my child, you will be on that team". I studied every night for two hours both subjects to make sure I was ready for competitions. Before I went to bed my mother quizzed me and I would not dare to get a question or problem wrong.

I once overdramatically complained in junior high about the impossibility of Algebra based on one atrocious test grade. I started comparing myself to others and my mom scolded me because I abandoned all hope. She reminded that I was in charge of my own journey and if I wanted something I could accomplish it. Throughout moments of my own self-doubt and discouragement, my mom was the one to motivate me through her independent and determined mindset.

Watching my mother live from pay check to pay check when I was young was difficult. It was always hard for my mom to keep up with other parents but, she still somehow managed to get me everything I wanted, and more. Even though I was too young to understand, I could feel the stress, and the struggles my mom faced every day. She was only 20 years old when I was born and, because of that she had no choice but to grow up fast. At such a young age, I saw the effects of being a single parent, and the ways it changed my mom. She not only had to be a young mother but, she had to find a way to replace the void of a father, or a father figure in my life. My mom was strong, independent and courageous. Growing up watching her live her dreams under all the circumstances she faced, made me want to strive for a better life for myself. Seeing how hard is was to live and to have enough

Myself thought my mom thought that I’m a hard worker because I have a job and get paid 10 dollars an hour. My mom wants me to have a great experience because she didn’t have one. My mom spoke of her dropping out because she required help and struggles a lot. She vocalizes that her fear is that I will get behind in school. That is because I often got behind.

Growing up in México, my mother’s mindset on education wasn't a first priority for achieving a successful life. Now I’m fortunate enough to live in the country where the “American Dream” is known to be fulfilled, and that has shaped my philosophy in Education to be a much stronger bond than my mothers. Being the oldest of four, and having to work at the age of Eight years old to provide for her family, just show’s where her priorities were. On the other hand, I’m a full time student, the youngest of four and, I voluntarily choose to work to be able to provide for myself and the things I desire.