2023 IL Fund Minority Scholarship Program Winner Bio

Katie Hernández

Katie Hernández is a female of Hispanic heritage. Katie is currently enrolled as a first year student in the School Psychology Program at Western Illinois University. She currently serves as a Graduate Assistant for Western Illinois University Psychology Department. She returned to America from Mexico when she was in second grade. She credits her English Language Learner teachers for consistently helping her to accomplish her goals and grow personally and with respect to her educational skill sets. She notes that through such interactions, she realized the significance of having individuals around her who inspired and reinforced students in their education. She saw first hand how having the proper support helped to facilitate her success. The desire to help others influenced her goal to grow as a well-educated individual with values, morals, and principles. When considering the experiences and ideas influencing her personal development, she recalls that she came from a family that values hard workman understands the intrinsic value and dignity of every human being. She believed that, “to whom much is given, much is expected.” This saying caused her to realize the great duty she has to future generations with whom she plans to work with.

Prior to attending Western Illinois University, she worked as a substitute teacher which helped her better understand the role and significance of being a teacher. She grasped the importance of individualized attention and how that can create a great difference in the lives of students by enhancing their educational experience. Additionally, Katie served as a substitute teacher and worked with students from diverse backgrounds who possessed varied skills and unique needs (e.g., Autism Spectrum Disorders & Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders etc.), or difficult home lives which made it difficult for them to adjust to a standardized course of learning. She notes that these students had a hard time communicating and being understood, and many times they needed one-to-one assistance and guidance. Working with these students inspired her to further her skill set to be able to become a school psychologist equipped with the right tools to help children with diverse needs. She considers having the ability to speak Spanish a blessing that she hopes to use as a resource. She believes having the ability to help students in a personalized manner is something she wishes to do as a school psychologist. Her current experience at Western Illinois University has allowed her to work in a rural elementary school – Carthage Elementary School  #317, Carthage, IL where she is completing her school psychology practicum. She helps to facilitate productivity in the lives of the students and teachers she serves by considering the psychological, physical, cultural, and behavioral aspects of students and understanding their unique backgrounds. She aspires to be able to communicate with teachers to help them perform their job more efficiently and effectively.

One of her professors writes, “Katie is eager to learn in an academic and practical setting.” She approaches each new experience with an open-mind and a willingness to discover more about her new role. Another professor notes, “Interpersonally, Katie is soft-spoken but amicable and helpful.” She is clear and transparent in her communication. She does not hesitate to initiate discussions with faculty to further both her learning and the development of her overall professional identity. Katie demonstrates competence both academically and interpersonally. She also volunteers to assist her peers where needed. Additionally, Katie has demonstrated an aspiration for leadership. She volunteered to be the student representative for her cohort in our program’s coordinating committee.