Nancy Larson Foundation Scholar
Manassas, VA ( May 10, 2018 ) – George Mason University student Victoria Williams has been named a Nancy Larson Foundation Scholar and awarded a $1000 scholarship in recognition of her inspiring personal narrative, excellent academic record and spirit of community service.
The Nancy Larson Foundation proudly supports students across the country majoring in elementary education by awarding scholarships to deserving students each year. Williams is one of ten recipients selected from the many applications received by the Foundation.
In her personal narrative, Victoria explained why she was inspired to become a teacher. “As a child, I used to write on whiteboards and teach my ‘students,’ which were simply a collection of favorite toys, Victoria said. “As I’ve gotten older, my path altered, but now found its way back. I realize there is a deficit in quality education for children with special needs. I have been working in the behavioral therapy field for years and autistic children were my main priority. I want to take everything I’ve learned in my career as a therapist into the classroom. From the experience of working with special needs children and the knowledge I have acquired while in my teaching program, I wish to combine that knowledge to be the best teacher I can be.”
“Victoria really moved our committee with her personal experiences working with autistic and special needs children on a behavioral level and finding her way to the classroom to teach. It is so important to have dedicated teachers who are able to help these children who deserve a quality education,” said Nancy Larson.
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.