March 30, 2018 Dear Mr. Smith, When I was 12 years old, my parents decided we would take a family vacation over the summer. To Africa. We wouldn’t be going on safaris or exploring historical monuments, they explained. We would be reading. You can imagine my confusion. Why go all the way to Africa...to read? But then they revealed the real reason for the trip: we would be traveling with a non-profit organization whose goal was to improve the lives of orphans through literature. We would be reading to orphans in Africa, and, in the process, teaching them English. Six months later, I found myself sitting cross-legged in a small home no larger than my bedroom, reading to 17 wide-eyed children who hung on every word of Madeline Goes to Rome. I was hooked. So were they. This experience sparked my interest in traveling as well as education. Since then, I’ve continued to travel extensively. A juvenile career as a competitive dancer aided that initiative, as did several mission trips I participated in with my church and in college. I recently took some time off to travel the United States on a road trip which I planned and executed alone. I’ve also continued to travel with my parents on their yearly trips back to West Africa. As for education, I decided to pursue a degree in elementary education with a minor in literacy. I graduated summa cum laude from my university. After graduation, I volunteered with a program called Readers Worldwide, and I had the opportunity to read to thousands of children living in poverty. I then returned to my alma mater to work in the Admissions Office. Soon thereafter, I worked as a second grade teacher in a small private school for about two years. I’ve had a lot of great experiences, both in travel and education, but I’ve yet to find a job that marries these two passions—until now. I’m passionate about this position because I truly believe in what your organization is doing: bringing education to those who do not otherwise have access to it. I also believe that, with my background, I’m an ideal candidate for the job. I hope to hear from you soon. Sincerely, Jane Johnson