For Alyssa Walker, beginning her education career, and her own educational journey, at San Jon Elementary School in the historic Route 66 town of San Jon, New Mexico, has been especially meaningful. “Now I get to teach in the same place where my path truly began,” she said.

A first-generation college student, Alyssa walked across the graduation stage — twice. “Finishing my bachelor’s and then my master’s felt unreal,” she shared. “Standing there in my cap and gown, seeing my parents and my boys in the audience, I felt this overwhelming sense of accomplishment. It meant everything.”

Her inspiration for early childhood education grew from a lifelong instinct to care for others. “I’ve always wanted to help people. If I wasn’t a teacher, I’d probably be a nurse,” she said. Even on challenging days, the joy of watching her preschoolers learn keeps her motivated. “This week, three of my students counted to 100. I had tears in my eyes. The kids make it all worth it.”

Alyssa credits the ECECD Scholarship for making her education possible. “Without it, I couldn’t have gone to school. It let me focus on my studies, not on how I would pay for them.”

Now, with a master’s degree and a special education license, Alyssa leads her preschool classroom and mentors new educators. “If you can do it,” she tells her peers, “do it. The scholarship is a blessing. It opens doors you never thought possible.”

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