Turning Struggles Into Strength as a Future Educator
For Aurilia Moulton, the decision to become a teacher is personal. A lifelong resident of the Muncie/Yorktown area, Aurilia is heading to Ball State University to major in Elementary Education, driven by a desire to support students who, like her, may not always find school easy.
“My motivation to become an educator was really rooted in my own struggle during my elementary years,” she says. “I was lucky to have some excellent teachers who went above and beyond to make school a positive experience and allow me to succeed.”
Now, Aurilia is ready to pay it forward, and she’s doing so with the support of the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship, which awards up to $10,000 annually for four years to high-achieving students who commit to teaching in Indiana after graduation.
Leading on Stage, in School, and in the Community
Aurilia has never been one to sit on the sidelines. In high school, she was active in a wide range of organizations, including Student Council, DECA, National Honor Society, the Mentor Program, Drama Club, and the cross-country team. Outside of school, she’s heavily involved in Muncie Civic Theatre, where she performs and choreographs youth productions throughout the year.
These experiences have helped her become a confident leader and creative problem-solver skills she’ll carry with her into the classroom.
Why Ball State? It’s Home.
Aurilia didn’t have to look far for a top-tier teacher preparation program.
“Ball State has always been at the top of my list,” she says. “It has one of the most excellent teaching programs, and being from this area has always been home.”
Coming from a family of educators, she knows firsthand how well Ball State prepares future teachers, and she’s excited to be part of that legacy.
“I am really looking forward to making new connections,” she says. “Ball State has a great group of diverse students and I’m thrilled to find people with common goals and interests as me!”
A Life Full of Creativity and Connection
Aurilia unwinds through running, baking, performing, and spending time with friends and family. Whether on stage or in the kitchen, she finds joy in creativity and connection, a theme that extends into her vision for the classroom.
“There’s nothing more special than seeing a student finally get something,” she says. “Those light bulb moments are something I hope to give to students in the future.”
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