Graduate / Math level in Philipinnes and Korea. Scholarship Application - Letter of Self Introduction [4]

I am planning to apply to a grad school scholarship program. I need to write a letter of self introduction. Here's my draft, can you help me improve this?

LETTER OF SELF-INTRODUCTION

When I was a child, my mother always beats me up whenever I don't want to study. But instead of hating her and hating studying, I did the opposite: I valued education and I thanked my mother for that.

I belong to a not-so-fortunate family of five. My parents were not able to finish their studies so they have low-paying jobs. They want my siblings and I to have the same life as them so they put in our minds that we have to finish our studies and be successful.

Through hardwork and perseverance, I was at the top of my class in primary and elementary school. In high school, I was part of the top 40 students in our school which has an average population of 13,000 students. In college, at first, I pursued a degree in Accountancy but later on pursued a degree in education.

I was studying Accountancy when I got so down and felt like something was missing with my life. I was taking a degree which will be my stepping stone to success but I'm not happy. One afternoon, on my way home, I saw street children and beggars. It breaks my heart to see them and as a student, I can't do anything for them. At that moment, I thought that I am wrong: that I can do something for them. I realized that being an Accountant was not my calling. Maybe I was destined to take another path. I stopped and by destiny perhaps, I ended up taking a degree in education. The emptiness and unhappiness vanished. My calling, as it turned out, was to help my poor countrymen and their children through education.

I graduated in XX University with a degree in Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Mathematics in 201X. By June 201X, I landed my first teaching job in a private school. On the same year, I was able to pass the licensure examination for teachers and became a professional teacher. After a year in private school, I worked as a tutor for a few months and by October 201X, I was fortunately able to be a public school teacher. Currently, I am teaching Grade 7 Mathematics. Teaching in a public school is a fulfilment of my calling.

During my internship and teaching jobs, I noticed that most students don't like Mathematics. They have this thinking that it is difficult and they won't be able to use this in their daily lives. For now, I am doing my best to teach the subject enjoyably and effectively but I know that I am still lacking. I know that my knowledge and skills are not enough. because of this, I want to study again and pursue a Master's degree in Mathematics Education. I want to be able to teach Math effectively and be able to help my country and other countries through Mathematics Education.

The Philippines lag behind in terms of education especially in Math. Korea, on the other hand, is known as one of the best countries in Mathematics and XX University is known as the best university in Korea for education students. As a teacher, I want to be able to enhance my knowledge and skills in teaching Mathematics through the help of your school and I would only be able to that by applying to the XXX Scholarship Program. I believe that my passion for teaching and for helping students will allow me to get through the graduate program.