While sitting around the table with my family this past Thanksgiving, we took turns telling each other what we were most thankful for. Well, I forgot to thank the United Federation of Teachers for your $4,000 Albert Shanker college scholarship.

When my family immigrated to the United States, things were not what I had expected. Neither of my parents had a job, and at one point five of us shared one room. My brother, sister and I were placed in foster care, but I still excelled in school and rose above the hardship.

I was able to do this because there was always someone there to give me that extra nudge. These teachers, principals, a doctor friend, the UFT — all played a significant role in my life by investing time and/or encouraging me to achieve my full potential.

As a result, I graduated from Adlai E. Stevenson HS in 1994. I earned a bachelor’s and later a master’s from Binghamton University. In 2023, I received my associate degree in nursing. I also co-wrote a youth book series that is loosely based on my life in Jamaica. My goal is to promote literacy and education in urban areas and hopefully some day across the nation.

Thank you again because the scholarship helped shape my life for the better.

Marcus Mohalland 
Albany, New York