Rylan Laudan
Nancy Larson Foundation Scholar
Elementary Education major Rylan Laudan awarded scholarship
Paola, KS (February 10, 2016) – Kansas State University student Rylan Laudan has been named a Nancy Larson Foundation Scholar and awarded a $1000 scholarship in recognition of his inspiring personal narrative, excellent academic record and spirit of community service.
The Nancy Larson Foundation proudly supports students across the country majoring in elementary education by awarding scholarships to deserving students each year. Laudan is one of nine recipients selected from the many applications received by the Foundation.
Laudan is studying elementary education and was motivated to pursue his career after his own experiences in school. “Our teachers were more than just teachers—they were passionate, caring individuals who saw our education as not only their responsibility, but as something we should take ownership of as students. One of my teachers, Mrs. Johnson, was a teacher unlike any I had experienced before,” said Laudan. “I was easily one of the most stubborn, hard headed and difficult students she ever had, but she never gave up on me and saw so much potential. It is because of her that I was inspired to go into teaching and plan to have a similar impact on students of my own.”
Laudan has had many experiences that shaped him, not only as a student but as a mentor and leader, through various service opportunities that helped to instill in him a passion for students and education. “The experiences I’ve had with organizations such as 4-H, FFA and Boys and Girls Club have taught me a great deal about helping students and serving as a positive role model. As a male, I recognize the need for many young boys and girls to have a positive male role model and I believe that is a responsibility of mine going into the teaching profession.”
“Rylan really impressed us with his personal narrative about the teachers who inspired him to want to become a better student,” said Nancy Larson. “Now he wants to be a teacher who helps other students succeed.”
Juniors, seniors and graduate students who have declared an elementary education major are invited to submit a personal narrative about about why they want to teach, what personal experiences they have had that inspired them to teach and what will make them excellent teachers. Applicants are also asked to include community service activities and experiences they have had working with children.
Larson, a former teacher and curriculum director, has dedicated her life to advancing elementary education. Her original Saxon Math K–4 program was developed because teachers needed a classroom-tested math program that would prepare children for advanced math classes. In recent years, Larson has used the same approach to develop Nancy Larson Science for kindergarten through fourth-grade students. The program was written to provide in-depth science content in an easy-to-teach format.
To learn more about the Nancy Larson Foundation, visit http://nancylarsonfoundation.org.
About Nancy Larson Foundation
The Nancy Larson Foundation, founded in 2006 in Old Lyme, CT, has a history of awarding prospective elementary educators scholarships to encourage and support their education. The Nancy Larson Foundation awards scholarships to the top entries. For entry deadlines and requirements, or more information on the Foundation, visit http://nancylarsonfoundation.org.