Karley Witten is an SILG scholarship recipient, receiving the 2020-2021 EOU Senior Scholarship.  A senior at Eastern Oregon University, Karley’s hometown is Cove, Oregon.

Karley would like to recognize her family for pushing her to pursue her goals: “I would like to specifically thank my parents, Randy and Julie Witten for raising me to always put my whole heart into everything I do and never give up. I want to thank my brother and sister for teaching me the patience I need for my future career. “

Karley is going into her senior year at EOU, enrolled in the undergraduate elementary education program. This educational path will lead her to become a third grade teacher working with students in a low-socioeconomic school district – with the plan of teaching for a few years and eventually going back to school in pursuit of a doctorate degree in order to become a professor of education at a university.

Why this career? When asked Karley said, “I have always had a heart for children and a passion to serve so becoming an elementary school teacher was a no-brainer for me. I want to help students in a low socioeconomic school district because oftentimes they get passed over and I want to be their advocate and provide them the best education possible.”

This summer Karley plans to work full time to continue to save money to pay for school, and also to work with students either through volunteering or through schooling opportunities as COVID-19 permits.

In the last few months, Karley has learned this about herself: “I have learned how to prioritize my time as well as learning how to be flexible. As school has been moved online I have had to change my school routine and adapt to the online learning platform. I have learned the skill of flexibility as I am participating in an online 2nd grade classroom and I have learned a lot about how to go with the flow.”

“In closing I want to thank SILG in providing me with an opportunity to enjoy my senior year with little financial stress. Providing scholarships to women in our community is an inspiration to many of us, on behalf of myself and all of the other recipients I want to say thank you.”