Help funding my Ph.D.
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Hello all, I am fundraising for my tuition for the first year of my Ph.D. in Rhetoric/Literature. Now, I know most people reading this are thinking, why in the heck does she need money for her education when she already has a master's degree? But, here is my story. I grew up in a low socio-economic area of Florida and struggled in my home state to go to a university because I had low test scores. I lost an opportunity, out of my own stupidity and naivety, to have some of my college paid. I struggled to work and go to school at the same time and got myself into debt. I worked my way over to Texas in 2009 with the help of my brother to get back on my feet and into college. I worked two full-time jobs and went to community college, then transferred to Texas A&M University-Central Texas. Although I was able to receive federal grants the money still was not enough, so I had to take out student loans. Then in 2015, I started on my master's degree where I had to take out more student loans. In total, I currently owe $45,000 in student loans. I currently work as a high school teacher, as an adjunct instructor at two different community colleges, and as a server/bartender.
I love my career as an instructor of English, and my goal is to motivate students to begin a personal exploration of their growth towards successful writing and grammar skills as well as learning about the connections of literature movements to historical events. I believe the study of English can be found in any career path for students from writing to analytical and critical thinking skills.
In order to achieve my goals, I use hands-on activities, group, and partner work. I
help my students connect real-world ideas to the literature discussed during the lesson by helping students express themselves through writing or creative projects. I help students learn how to annotate and break down the text to understand the deeper themes and symbols the author conveys to the audience. Students must learn how to think critically and analyze the text through their own connections and what they understand the text is saying to them as they read. Reading, analyzing, thinking, and writing should be a continuous conversation the reader has with the text to fully gain comprehension. Their writing should be expressive of their own thoughts and emotions through learned eloquent writing and grammar skills. Regardless of the learned content, students should be able to take away skills they will be able to implement in their everyday lives. Learning is about taking what you have learned and molding the content into your own. Current careers are in desperate need of candidates who are able to communicate, think critically, analyze, and problem-solve, and be able to bring their own ideas to build up the company and their team. Students need to understand the variety of backgrounds of society and learn how to work well with others despite their differences.
To continue to help my students develop into citizens that contribute to making the world a better place, my short-term goals are to continue teaching high school dual credit English and work as an adjunct instructor while going to school. My long term and ultimate career goals are to teach at the university level and lead a study abroad program for students from low socio-economic backgrounds like myself. This money will help alleviate some of the financial stress of working my four jobs, and the amount of $2,400 is to help cover the remaining cost of attendance for the first year of my Ph.D. program at Texas Woman's University. With your help, you can help me start my future dreams of becoming a professor and continue to help students. Thank you!
I love my career as an instructor of English, and my goal is to motivate students to begin a personal exploration of their growth towards successful writing and grammar skills as well as learning about the connections of literature movements to historical events. I believe the study of English can be found in any career path for students from writing to analytical and critical thinking skills.
In order to achieve my goals, I use hands-on activities, group, and partner work. I
help my students connect real-world ideas to the literature discussed during the lesson by helping students express themselves through writing or creative projects. I help students learn how to annotate and break down the text to understand the deeper themes and symbols the author conveys to the audience. Students must learn how to think critically and analyze the text through their own connections and what they understand the text is saying to them as they read. Reading, analyzing, thinking, and writing should be a continuous conversation the reader has with the text to fully gain comprehension. Their writing should be expressive of their own thoughts and emotions through learned eloquent writing and grammar skills. Regardless of the learned content, students should be able to take away skills they will be able to implement in their everyday lives. Learning is about taking what you have learned and molding the content into your own. Current careers are in desperate need of candidates who are able to communicate, think critically, analyze, and problem-solve, and be able to bring their own ideas to build up the company and their team. Students need to understand the variety of backgrounds of society and learn how to work well with others despite their differences.
To continue to help my students develop into citizens that contribute to making the world a better place, my short-term goals are to continue teaching high school dual credit English and work as an adjunct instructor while going to school. My long term and ultimate career goals are to teach at the university level and lead a study abroad program for students from low socio-economic backgrounds like myself. This money will help alleviate some of the financial stress of working my four jobs, and the amount of $2,400 is to help cover the remaining cost of attendance for the first year of my Ph.D. program at Texas Woman's University. With your help, you can help me start my future dreams of becoming a professor and continue to help students. Thank you!
Organizer
Paula Lewis
Organizer
Dallas, TX
