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Amanda Lightfoot of Bolivar, Missouri, is a graduate of Bolivar High School.  She is currently attending the University of Central Missouri – Warrensburg, majoring in Elementary Education and a mathematics minor.

 To be a teacher in a rural school takes a certain kind of person to fulfill all of the responsibilities.  Some of the qualities of such a person include being able to relate to people in smaller communities, open-minded to playing many different roles while teaching, and most importantly wanting to help students of a rural school to strive for the education they deserve.  As an advocate for rural education, I believe I may be able to take on many other roles besides just being a classroom teacher, one which is fulfilling my dream of being a cross country/track coach.

 One of her college instructors shares that Amanda is a natural born teacher which has been evident in the ways in which interacts with her struggling peers.  During her time at UCM, Amanda has found off-campus opportunities which further prepare her for her future as an educator.  Working part-time as a student teacher at the Central Village Child Care facility, has allowed Amanda to work with children of all ages in an educational setting.  Through other opportunities to tutor her peers, she has gained the experience of transferring her knowledge to another person.

Because of positive experiences she had as a student and a passion to teach in a rural school, makes it appropriate to congratulate Amanda Lightfoot as the 2013 Forrest T. Jones & Company Scholarship recipient.