2nd Quarter, 2005
Teacher Scholarship Winner
Amy Tussing
“When someone asks me who I am, I tell them I’m simply me. I’m Amy Tussing. I am from Richmond, Virginia and attend Gallaudet University in Washington DC. I am deaf with deaf parents and I have Treacher Collins Syndrome. I am also the former Miss Deaf Virginia 2003-2005. Just recently, I passed along the title to another young lady. My goals in life are bountiful, but my primary goal is to graduate from college and be able to teach deaf children. My plans are to receive a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a Master’s in Deaf Education and hopefully teach in St. Augustine, Florida at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, for I have heard so many positive things about that institute.
Although I am uncertain that I will teach deaf children in Florida, I am certain that I will be educating deaf peers to expand their knowledge. After all, “Knowledge is Power.” It is important to me that not only do I succeed in life but to ensure that the children of the future do, too. It is vital to see that they have the ambition to accomplish their dreams, so that these children can become fabulous leaders of the deaf community. The traditions must continue.”
A Portion Of Amy Tussing’s Winning Essay:
College is costly these days, and funding is limited. In order for me to continue my education and begin a career of teaching, I need the appropriate monies to pay for tuition. I believe that this scholarship opportunity could assist me, even if $500 is not a large amount of money. The scholarship opportunity could help me fulfill my goals because it would allow me to take more courses related to my major, and it could also help cover the costs of Internship credit in which I intend to participate in an educational internship program before I graduate. Financial assistance would also allow me to graduate on time rather than deferring a completion of education because of limited financial support.
Being an elementary school teacher for deaf and hard of hearing children has been a calling for me for many years since the day I tutored a little deaf girl who struggled in math. Her mother informed me that nobody could get through in teaching this child. Being only a junior in high student, I took a piece of paper and started drawing triangles and showed her how to count them. As soon as she saw a pattern of triangles, she caught up with me and was able to count up to ten. Then, I could start teaching her how to add. She started to comprehend these numbers, and I realized right then that my future as a teacher was just beginning. One of my role models who was also a teacher for hearing impaired children noted my aspirations to become a teacher. She allowed me to assist one boy who showed a lack of development in English and Math. During this time, I was also an aide for mentally retarded students. During high school, I had more opportunities to work with deaf children as a volunteer. I became the president of the American Sign Language club for two years and ensured that deaf children would interact with others by our visitations. The ASL club attended an elementary school and performed songs in sign language to allow deaf children to view the musical world. Seeing their smiles and wide eyes made me feel very proud to be involved with something so special.
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