Athena Fream
Nancy Larson Foundation Scholar
College Park, MD (March 23, 2020) – University of Maryland student Athena Fream has been named a Nancy Larson Foundation Scholar and awarded a $1000 scholarship in recognition of her inspiring leadership, personal narrative, and academic achievement.
The Nancy Larson Foundation proudly supports students across the country majoring in elementary education by awarding scholarships to deserving students each year. Fream is one of eight recipients selected from the many applications received by the Foundation.
“I want to be a teacher because I love learning and I want to nurture that in others,” said Fream. “I will be pursuing a career in special education because I have seen the impact that I can have on children with challenges, and I know that I can be a positive influence in their educational pursuits.”
Nancy Larson remarked, “Athena told us a personal characteristic that will help her to succeed as a teacher is patience. Patience will help her to take time and make sure her students get the personalized assistance they need to succeed. Athena is enthusiastic about learning and wishes to pass that on to her students.”
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.