Dashonda Lemon
Nancy Larson Foundation Scholar
Macon, GA (March 23, 2020) – Mercer University student Deshonda Lemon 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. Lemon is one of eight recipients selected from the many applications received by the Foundation.
“Teaching has provided me the opportunity to care for and love my students,” said Lemon. “I realize how important teaching is and the impact I can have on my students. I’m able to be an educator, mother figure, coach, friend, or whatever my students need to help them. I enjoy learning how powerful teaching is. I’m able to be whatever my students need to help them.”
Nancy Larson remarked, “Deshonda told us she never thought she would become an educator, but each day she is grateful for the opportunity to be loved by her students and to inspire them. As much as she thought she was changing her students’ lives, they were changing hers and making her a better educator. We felt so inspired by Deshonda’s story.”
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.