Project TEACH Student Wins National Scholarship for Teachers

Younseon Lee, a Project TEACH student at Green River Community College, has been awarded a scholarship from the National Association of Community College Teacher Education Programs (NACCTEP).   Younseon was one of only five recipients of this scholarship that is being given for the first time by NACCTEP after a nationwide competition.  NACCTEP provides these $1000 scholarships to provide assistance to community college students who are studying to become teachers.   

Younseon was nominated by several Project TEACH faculty and staff at Green River.  Her nominators said: 

The skills Younseon brings to academic work are extensive, and she has excelled in all her classes since becoming a student at GRCC. Younseon’s mathematics skills are particularly outstanding; she also writes clearly and has astute critical-thinking skills.

In addition to her academic skills, Younseon is dedicated to teaching. She is enthusiastic about working with children, especially in the area of mathematics education, and is interested in inquiry-based teaching methods in mathematics.

Younseon finds numerous ways to reach out to fellow students. She works as a tutor in the math learning center on campus, and volunteers in her free time to assist Korean speakers with their English language and academic skills.  

Younseon is now creating a short video addressing why she chose the profession of teaching and how the scholarship can benefit her educational goals.   The video will be shown at the national NACCTEP conference in New York in March of 2005.  In her application for the scholarship, Younseon had this to say about her desire to teach: 

I love children and I have always wished for a teacher career. However, life’s reality crossed my path and my journey took many turns; as time passed I began to believe I would not make it through…..

I tutor every Thursday at the Federal Way Regional Library….   From tutoring I realize that most students struggle with math; I want to stay at GRCC one more year to complete the calculus series, physics series, and additional college level English classes. Upon completion of my APP in Education, I will transfer to a four-year college to obtain a BA in Elementary Education with math and science endorsements. 

Having one of GRCC’s Project TEACH students chosen as a winner of this highly competitive national scholarship is a great honor not only for Younseon, but for Project TEACH and the college. Way to go, Younseon!