Jessica Dannelley Nancy Larson Foundation Scholar
Tucson, AZ (February 6, 2019) – University of Arizona student Jessica Dannelley has been named a Nancy Larson Foundation Scholar and awarded a $1000 scholarship in recognition of her personal narrative, academic achievement, and emphasis on whole child education.
The Nancy Larson Foundation proudly supports students across the country majoring in elementary education by awarding scholarships to deserving students each year. Dannelley is one of ten recipients selected from the many applications received by the Foundation.
Jessica explained what inspired her to be a teacher. “I have wanted to be a teacher since I fell in love with learning in third grade. The moment occurred when our class hatched butterflies. My teacher had such compassion for the students and helped them in many ways. This influenced me to get involved with working with youth and to become a teacher. I want to replicate the love of learning in my students as a teacher who develops the whole child cognitively, socially, physically, and emotionally.”
Nancy Larson said, “The selection committee and I appreciated Jessica’s explanation of a teacher’s role when she wrote that teaching is a vocation that touches the lives of the community around us. It is the cornerstone to improving society, and it starts with affecting the lives of the children in the classroom.”
Juniors, seniors, and graduate students who have declared an elementary education major are invited to submit a personal narrative 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. Nancy Larson Science K–5 programs were developed because teachers needed a classroom-tested science program that would prepare children for upper-level science classes and careers in science. The program was written to provide in-depth science content in an easy-to-teach format.