ASPSF caught up with Kimberly Broadway, an alumna now teaching kindergarten in the Marion School District. She graduated from Arkansas State University last spring and has nearly tripled her salary to $50,000 since starting her educational journey in 2022.
Why did you go back to school?
I worked several jobs as a team leader, assistant manager, key holder, and office manager. It wasn’t enough, and I missed so many things in my children’s lives due to trying to work to provide for us. I want to be able to show up for them as much as possible. They are my everything!
Why did you choose education as your major?
I wanted to be a teacher to make a positive impact on children, but also because I know they will positively impact me as well. Also, I wanted to have the same schedule — or as close as I can — with my children.
How did you use your single parent scholarship?
I caught up on bills and got my vehicle serviced. For my teaching internship, I had to travel an hour out of town for the better part of three months. Without my car, it would have been difficult for me to fulfill the requirements of my internship and motherhood.
If you met an ASPSF donor, what would you say?
I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart because this has almost been the hardest thing I have ever been through. It became so overwhelming. Had I not had a pretty good support system, I might not have had the willpower to keep going. I am thankful to all that have made that possible, and that includes you. Thank you.
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When Kimberly graduated last May, her parents, stepparents, aunt, siblings, cousins, nieces, nephew, and friends (top photo) all came to celebrate — including her four children (bottom photo).
