Preschool teacher who overcame childhood abuse among 11 awarded President’s Challenge fellowships

{"

Childhood Abuse and Recovery":"Nor Natasha Samian's early life was marked by abuse and trauma. At six, she was sexually abused, and at twelve, she developed a skin condition that made her a target of cruel remarks. Her attempts to seek help were met with disbelief, leading to her attempts at suicide at the age of fifteen. She was placed in a children's home and later referred to HCSA Dayspring, a residential treatment center for girls who have survived abuse. The center's staff played a crucial role in turning her life around.","

Teaching and Empathy":"Samian now teaches pre-schoolers and draws on her own experiences to better understand children who exhibit challenging behavior. She emphasizes the importance of understanding rather than simply correcting their behavior. She hopes to deepen her knowledge of special needs education and trauma-informed care through the fellowship.","

Mentorship and Future":"Samian will receive mentorship to guide her personal and professional development. She plans to use her fellowship to prepare early childhood education students for the realities of the classroom and encourage them to use their mother tongues. She also intends to organize poetry and public speaking workshops to support students."}