Nancy Larson Foundation Scholar
Bloomingdale, IL ( May 10, 2018 ) –Lewis University student Iva Georgiev 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. Georgiev is one of ten recipients selected from the many applications received by the Foundation.
In her personal narrative, Iva explained why she was inspired to become a teacher. “Only four years ago, I had decided to work with One Heart Bulgaria and spend my summer volunteering with an orphanage in Dupnitsa, Bulgaria,” said Iva. “I did not know at the time that the experience would change the course of my life. Many of the children at the orphanage had learning disabilities and it was my role as a volunteer to work with them on their academics. I distinctly remember the day I taught a little girl to write her own name. The pride she felt in herself from the simple act of writing her name lit up her face with happiness. It was in that moment that I realized I could not imagine myself doing anything else but teaching. I knew that I wanted to build a career of helping other children achieve that same happiness.”
“Iva really moved our committee with her personal experiences, immigrating to America as a child from Bulgaria, and then later volunteering with children at the orphanage in Bulgaria. Her background helps her connect with children of differing cultural backgrounds and this is very important in our classrooms today,” 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.