Spring 2026 Winner of the Public Service Scholarship

Deena Nawabi

Deena Nawabi is the first-ever winner of the Public Service Scholarship. We are honored to support Deena as she continues her academic journey. Melehy & Associates wishes her the best of luck as she continues to chase her dreams of becoming a teacher.

Read Their Essay Here:

My goal is to build a career as an Early Childhood Education (ECE) teacher within the public school system or a government-supported program like Head Start. I am driven by the conviction that the most impactful public service begins with our youngest citizens. By providing high-quality, equitable education during the most formative years of development, I can directly influence the long-term well-being of children and their families, thereby making a foundational, positive impact on the lives of everyday Americans.

Working as an ECE teacher in a public setting is a direct investment in the nation's future. The years from birth to age five are a critical window for brain development, laying the groundwork for all future learning, behavior, and health. In my classroom, I will create a nurturing and stimulating environment where children can develop essential cognitive skills in literacy and numeracy, as well as crucial social-emotional competencies like empathy, cooperation, and self-regulation. This work is the first step in closing achievement gaps. By providing a strong start for every child, regardless of their family's income or background, I can help ensure they enter kindergarten ready to succeed, setting them on a path for greater academic achievement and economic opportunity throughout their lives.

This career has a profound and immediate impact on American families. Access to affordable, high-quality early childhood education is one of the most significant challenges facing parents today. By serving in a public program, I would be part of the solution. My work would provide a safe, enriching environment for children, which in turn enables their parents—especially mothers, who disproportionately bear the weight of childcare responsibilities—to pursue their own careers, continue their education, and achieve greater financial stability. This strengthens the family unit, the local workforce, and the economy as a whole. I would also see my role as a partner to parents, offering support and resources to help them navigate the joys and challenges of raising young children.

Furthermore, public early childhood education is a powerful tool for building stronger, more equitable communities. As a teacher, I would be on the front lines of early identification for developmental delays or learning challenges, connecting families with the vital intervention services they need to help their children thrive. My classroom would be a microcosm of our diverse society, where children from different cultural, linguistic, and economic backgrounds learn alongside one another, fostering a sense of community and mutual respect from their earliest years.

In short, I see a career as a public ECE teacher not just as a job, but as a fundamental form of public service. It is a proactive, preventative investment in our society's health, stability, and prosperity. By dedicating my career to nurturing the potential of our youngest learners, I can help build a stronger foundation for individual lives, families, and the nation itself.