Help Erin Go To Linfield University

Hello, my name is Erin Miller. I have wanted to be an elementary school teacher since I was in the first grade. For a long time, I felt that I would never be able to achieve that dream because of the low income of teachers. I decided that I would instead opt for an architect position, though that quickly ended when I realized how much math was involved. So, I switched to interior design. That stuck for a couple of years, but I still couldn't get the idea of being a teacher out of my head. I listened to a podcast and read countless articles about the poverty cycle, and the education system's position in inner-city America. Since then, I have wanted nothing more than to help underprivileged elementary-aged children foster hopes and dreams for a better life for themselves and their futures.

When I decided that I could make my dream a reality, I realized that the next step was to find a school that I felt met my needs, and would give me a place to grow and a community where I felt that I belonged. I found that when I discovered Linfield University. One thing that I dislike about many teaching programs, is that you are not given any classroom experience until senior year. By then, it is too late if you decide that this isn't something that you want to do. You must then decide to switch majors and all of the money and time you spent trying to become a teacher is wasted, or you must go on to do a job you dislike and no one performs at their full capacity when they have a job they dislike. Linfield is different because you begin in a classroom setting your freshman year. This gives you plenty of time to decide if this is something you truly love, as well as classroom experiences that you would otherwise be missing out on. Once I found Linfield, I decided to visit. It was on that visit that I felt like I could truly belong here and develop a community. It is a small school, meaning that it is not a party school and Professors can keep up with their students, rather than just being a number like in larger universities.

The biggest hurdle thus far has been financing. I have been accepted to other schools, but it is hard not to fight for what I deem to be my dream school. I have applied for scholarships, competed in contests, and received grants, but it is still not quite enough. To get down to numbers, a year at Linfield will cost roughly $61,015. I have been offered a full-time job in Portland during the summer months as well as during the optional term in January. I will also be able to work part-time during the school months, as needed. I am estimated to make about $3,500 from that job. This still leaves me short. So far, I have received $51,095 through the itemized list below:

Faculty Scholarship: $26,000

Marching Band Scholarship: $2,000

Pell Grant: $7,395

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant: $1,000

Work Study: $4,500

Linfield Scholarship Weekend: $1,000

Student Loans: $5,500

TEACH Grant (pending): $3,700

I hope that you will be able to help me achieve everything that I know I am capable of, and help me get to my dream school.