My name is Melissa Gill and I currently serve as a teacher assistant; however I am serving as a long-term substitute in third grade at NB Mills Elementary School in Statesville, North Carolina. I am in my fourth year independently working in this position, and I have developed a deep passion for serving students and supporting their educational growth.

In addition to working full time, I am pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at Gardner-Webb University. I have personally paid for and completed all of my coursework up to this point, and I now have only one semester remaining—Spring 2026. My graduation is May 2026. I am reaching out to ask for your support, as I currently have a remaining balance of $2461 that I must pay out of pocket. At this time, I have fully exhausted all of my financial aid options. Your help would greatly relieve this financial burden and allow me to continue pursuing my degree.

Continuing to work with children every day has only strengthened my commitment to becoming a certified educator. My goal is to continue serving in the public school system and positively impact young learners, particularly in high-need communities like the one I currently serve.

Again as I approach my last semester of coursework, the financial commitment required to finish my degree has become increasingly difficult to manage alongside my current living expenses. For this reason, I am writing to respectfully request your consideration for a donation that could help reduce these financial barriers and allow me to focus on completing my student teaching as my final course. Any amount that you can assist with is greatly appreciated. If you need verification, I will gladly share my Gardner Webb account, just please let me know.

With your support, I will be able to complete my degree and continue giving back to our community by providing high-quality education to the students of North Carolina.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my request. I would be happy to provide additional information, including transcripts, letters of recommendation, or proof of enrollment, at your convenience.