Speaker: Emma, Charles Butt Scholar, Sam Houston State University
Why did you decide to become a teacher?
Emma: I've wanted to become a teacher ever since I was in elementary school, and the reason I think is pretty funny. Back then I just wanted to be a teacher because I thought they were the smartest people in the world and so I wanted to be like them and become one of them and obviously right now that's not the only reason why I want to become a teacher. I think after all of my experiences, especially up until high school, taking different classes and meeting teachers that inspired me to want to be like them have really brought out my passion for teaching and after all those experiences including student teaching, I think the main reason why I want to become a teacher right now is to prepare the next generation of students to help them reach their full potential by developing a love to learn. I think learning is such a valuable skill that just will set up the next generation of students to be successful and do whatever they want to.
What does the Charles Butt Scholarship mean to you?
Emma: I am super thankful for the Charles Butt Scholarship. Without it, I honestly don't think I would be as happy and stress-free as I am here at Sam Houston, and I might not even be going to school here, to be honest. I've already met so many great people through the Foundation. The teacher leaders here are amazing, and I've met other Charles Butt Scholars and people at the Foundation itself, and everyone's super friendly and I'm so grateful for that. And it's my first year here at college and I think over my four years here at Sam Houston I'm really gonna grow and feel supported and so I'm grateful that the Charles Butt Scholarship Foundation has offered that to me and also just being able to. I study here, not having to worry about financial problems, so I'm able to focus on learning how to become a teacher, which is why I'm here in the first place and so I'm super thankful for that. The Charles Butt Scholarship has already helped me in so many different aspects of my life.
What would you tell a prospective applicant about the Charles Butt Scholarship?
Emma: I think the biggest thing that I would tell prospective applicants about the Charles Butt Scholarship is to be genuine and be yourself, because when I applied for the scholarship, I did research and I could tell that this foundation really cared about supporting future teachers and so in my head I just knew if I was genuine and was truthful about my passion for teaching and why I want to become a teacher that if it was meant to be, the scholarship foundation would support me and it did and so I think when you're writing your essays when you're doing your interviews just be honest and truthful and with your genuine passion for teaching that'll all come out and this foundation is amazing and I really did believe that they want to support future teachers.
