Joshua David Copple: 2016-2017 Mary Roosevelt Honor Scholarship in Teaching and Learning

At the 2016-2017 Master of Arts in Teaching Recognition Ceremony, Joshua Copple was awarded a Mary Roosevelt Honor Scholarship in Teaching and Learning for excellence in academics, demonstrated leadership skills, and dedication to improving the lives and educational opportunities of students. Joshua is pursuing his MAT with a Single Subject Teaching Credential in Social Science.  Below, he shares his thoughts about his educational journey and his chosen career. 

October 2016

I am a 22-year-old History buff born in Westminster and raised in Orange County. 

I went to El Modena High School in Orange, California, where I first heard about UCI in my 10th grade Honors English class. After hearing about UCI, visiting the campus, and studying the innovative and forward thinking methods used to prepare students at UCI, I was filled with a desire to attend such a great school and I have finally had an opportunity to be an Anteater in the MAT program. 

I have been raised in the home of a pastor and grown up in a house where learning and teaching has always been a pivotal part of my childhood. After being able to learn from so many great teachers in my life and seeing the true value of education in correlation with future success and happiness in society, I have grown to love being in the honored position of an educator myself. Pursuing an education so that I may support others similarly in the quest for knowledge and learning has become part of who I am throughout my own journey.

I plan on finishing my Master’s and Credentials at UCI and then entering the workforce as soon as possible to teach high school history in the Orange County area to begin. My dream is to stay in California for the beginning of my career, marry my wonderful girlfriend, continue serving the youth of my community and church, and reach a level of financial stability to own a home in Orange County. As for the future, I would like to serve on City Council someday while continuing to teach high school. I hope to earn a Master’s Degree in Theology from Urshan Graduate College, and to complete a PhD in History as my final academic achievement.