Sarah’s dream has always been to work with children. She remembers an assignment from the third grade, sharing that she wanted to be a teacher when she grew up. “Even though I was only eight myself, I knew I wanted to work with kids,” she said.
Sarah was determined to achieve this goal, graduating in the top of her high school class and receiving a full-ride scholarship to a community college where she graduated with her associate degree. Her education, she explained, gave her a sense of control over something in life. She had plans to continue at a four-year university and be the first in her family to obtain her bachelor’s degree.
But plans, as they are prone to do, changed for Sarah.
“I had some emotional and financial issues come up, but fortunately I was still holding my full-ride scholarship,” she said. “After I got married, I intended to return to school, because it wouldn’t cost anything but the gas to drive there.”
Her partner refused.
After years of living in a controlling relationship, Sarah managed to escape with her three children. As she navigated the trauma of abuse, she decided to return to a place that could restore her sense of autonomy. “In a chaotic life, I knew I still had control over my success in school,” she said.
Her full-ride scholarship had expired by then, leaving her to take out loans to finance the remainder of her education. That is, until she was notified that she would be receiving the Diane Caton and Loyce Baker Memorial Scholarship, which supports returning students as they finish their degrees. Now, scholarship support at Wichita State is helping Sarah get her life back on track.
“I spent so many years without affirmation or support in my goals,” Sarah said. “Knowing that there are people who are now supporting me, helping me make a better life for myself and my family – that means more than I can say in words.”
A full-time paraprofessional, her scholarship is not only funding her education but helping fill in the gaps for the summer session when there are few opportunities to get hours.
“Until this upcoming year, the district hadn’t offered the option to spread our pay over twelve months, so I just had to figure out how to save and budget to make it through the last month and a half before the first paycheck of the new school year,” Sarah said. “This year I felt like I could breathe again, knowing my scholarship was covering the basics as well as books and school supplies.”
In addition to working and raising a family, Sarah is enrolled in the Teacher Apprentice Program at WSU, which allows students to finish their degree online while completing their student teaching requirements.
“I feel so proud to show my kids that it’s possible,” Sarah said. “Even though it was cut short, even if it’s later in life, this dream I’ve had for so long will finally be a reality.”
Due to safety concerns, Sarah’s name has been changed.