The Elementary Education Program is pleased to announce the recipient for the 2022-2023 Beck Endowment Award—Sadaf Sayar.
Sadaf was born and raised in San Diego, California. She is a first generation student whose parents, who fled Kabul, Afghanistan, taught her to never take her educational opportunities for granted. Here are her words: “In May 2021, my country of Afghanistan had fallen into the hands of the Taliban, a terrorist group. Millions of innocent civilians were forced to leave behind their homes, belongings, and education to flee Afghanistan, as many feared for their lives. During this time, my heart broke for the children forced to leave their schools, the students forced to leave their universities, and the girls and women who have had their educational rights stripped away. When I discovered that 4,000 Afghani refugees were coming to Virginia, I knew I had to help contribute to my people. Through various social media platforms, I was able to raise over $3,000 that went towards educational supplies for the incoming refugees. I purchased materials such as notebooks, pencils, binders, pens, and much more to help the refugees hoping to continue their education here in America.”
With that determination, Sadaf learned the value of having the opportunity to go to school—a gift that so many children around the world do not have. This insight pointed the way for Sadaf to come to GW to become an elementary teacher herself, committing to help educate those children who come to this country in search of better schooling and a better life.
The Beck Endowment was created in 1996 from a gift by Dr. Gloria L. Horrworth, GSEHD professor emeritus, in honor of colleague, alumna, GSEHD faculty member and program director, Dr. Sylven Seid Beck.