Aspiring teachers offered $1,000 scholarships
February 5, 2015 By Denise Garza
UTPA students share experience
Edith Ovalle (left) and Lucia Hernandez (right)
As daughters of hard-working, uneducated Mexican migrants, UTPA seniors Lucia Hernandez and Edith Ovalle understand the importance of education.
Motivated by her struggle assimilating to American culture and language, Ovalle was determined that she would focus her career on helping children of similar backgrounds. Hernandez, on the other hand, first developed a love of teaching after visiting classrooms in several schools throughout the Rio Grande Valley. After this experience, her choice to pursue a bachelor’s degree in bilingual elementary teaching was reinforced.
Their focus has paid off. In December their enthusiasm for teaching made Hernandez and Ovalle two of seven recipients of the 2014 Nancy Larson Scholarship.
The goal of the Nancy Larson Foundation is to sponsor, motivate and inspire future generations of elementary educators. It was established in 2006 by Nancy Larson, an educator, author and publisher, as part of the effort to enhance education in the U.S. Since then, the foundation has offered 42 of scholarships to students seeking a career in primary education. Her 30-year contribution to the education system and sponsoring of future educators has made Larson a leading figure in the crusade to improve education.
As former Title I director, she has plenty of experience overseeing the enactment of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Title I, a provision within the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, is a program that distributes federal funds to school districts throughout the country. Larson is also the founder of Nancy Larson Publishers Inc., established in 2004, and author of Saxon Math K-4. The elementary program has been used nationwide and may soon become trade tools for Hernandez and Ovalle once their goal of becoming elementary teachers is accomplished.
“I think that it was my attraction towards teaching that made me fit to win this award because it showed the foundation that I really want to help my community to become better educated in the future,” Hernandez said.
Although their experiences were different, both students arrived at the decision of teaching and focusing on bilingual education. For Hernandez, motherhood and her experience as a student have taught her about the influence educators have on students.
“Now that I have my own children I would like for them to be prepared for their future, the closest person aside from parents that can help children become successful are teachers,” Hernandez said. “That is a role that I would love to play in helping students grow.”
While Ovalle does not have children of her own, her experience as a Mexican migrant was difficult and has made a lasting impression. This experience influenced her choice to help Hispanic children overcome similar obstacles by focusing on bilingual education.
“When I was in elementary I felt I had to learn all by myself so now I want to help other children,” Ovalle said. “I am able to help students through my own experience, I can relate to them.”
Ovalle is currently a teacher at the English Cultural Center in McAllen.
The students heard about the opportunity after receiving an email sent to all education majors through Bronc mail. Hernandez applied without hesitation because she met all the requirements and found the application to be remarkably easy. Initially skeptical about her chances of winning, the 26-year-old was excited and surprised to be awarded the $1,000 grant.
“Honestly, I never thought that I would be one of the persons selected to win this award. That’s the same reason why I had never applied for a scholarship before,” Hernandez said. “This is the first scholarship I have won. Hopefully this is only the beginning of great opportunities ahead for me.”
The students were notified of the award Dec. 30 and plan to use the money for school supplies this semester. However, the opportunity has offered them more than economic relief.
“With this award I learned that when you want something, you need to work hard to earn it and trust yourself that you can make it happen,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez and Ovalle encourage other students to apply for the 2015 Nancy Larson Scholarship. In 2013, the Larson Foundation awarded six scholarships nationwide, three of which were awarded to Texas A&M students.
In order to qualify for the upcoming 2015 prize, junior, senior and graduate students majoring in elementary education must apply from Oct. 1 – Nov. 15 and submit an official transcript with their application. Community service and some experience working with children are also required. A personal statement explaining the applicant’s motivation to become an elementary school teacher must also be submitted.
For both students, the latter was no trouble at all.
“It is a great opportunity to continue their way towards success,” Hernandez said. “No one says that education is easy but if we have made it this far it’s because we have what it takes to achieve our goals.”