Faith Bradley, a junior early childhood education major at Temple University’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), first learned about the Temple Education Scholars (TES) program from her older sister, who graduated high school early after benefiting from the program’s support.  With encouragement from her mother, Bradley applied to the program and entered TES in fall 2022. Though she admits she was worried about juggling college-level coursework during her senior year of high school, looking back, Bradley says it was "one of the best decisions I've ever made." 

That decision reshaped her future. At the TES end-of-year celebration, Bradley learned she had been awarded a full-tuition donor-funded scholarship to Temple. Sitting beside her family, she felt shock, gratitude and relief all at once. “I had been planning to attend West Chester, but when they called my name, everything shifted,” she said. “The scholarship and the TES community made Temple feel like the perfect choice.” The award lifted a major financial burden from her family while connecting her with donors and mentors who remain part of her support network today. When Bradley officially began her undergraduate studies in fall 2023, Temple already felt like home. A Northeast Philadelphia native who always dreamed of becoming an early childhood educator, Bradley knew the CEHD was where she belonged.  

“As a first-year student, I learned to navigate the academic expectations of college, strengthen my study habits, communicate effectively with professors and gain the confidence to advocate for myself," she shared as she reflected on her academic, personal and professional growth since arriving on campus. "TES played a major role in that growth through workshops on resumes, interviewing, networking and leadership, helping me build professional skills early and imagine my future in a broader way.” 

Now, Bradley is using everything TES poured into her to support the next generation of future Owls. She serves as a TES tutor-mentor, a student ambassador and a career peer for the CEHD, each role allowing her to give back to the very communities that helped shape her. One of her proudest accomplishments was helping plan and run the CEHD Fall 2025 Career Fair. “Seeing students energized about their futures in education reminded me why I love this field,” she said. Bradley credits several individuals for shaping her experience. She highlights Professor of Teaching and Learning Wanda Brooks, whom she calls warm, attentive and dependable. “If I ever had an issue, Professor Brooks was the person I would go to,” she said.  

She also credits Jennifer Johnson, associate dean of student success, for teaching her the importance of caring deeply about students, and Juliet Curci, assistant dean of college access and persistence and director of CREATE, as her “go-to person” for growth opportunities. Bradley also thanks Rachel Gerberick, TES program manager; Elijah Rhea, former assistant director of college access and diversity initiatives; and Derek Coffman, director of development, for their guidance and support. 

For Bradley, TES is far more than a program. It’s a community built on connection, dedication and lasting impact; a community she now actively helps strengthen. She encourages future scholars not to shy away from the workload. “Don’t be scared,” she said. “Ask for help and stay disciplined. By the end, you’ll grow more than you ever expected.” 

While balancing three campus jobs, Bradley remains committed to the students she mentors and the career she is preparing for. TES and the CEHD continue to fuel her passion for early childhood education and have opened doors to opportunities such as attending the 2025 Black Men in Education Convention. 

Outside of academics, she shared, “I enjoy volunteering with True Hearts, going on nature walks, attending church and spending weekends with my family. A fun fact that surprises many people: I have seven sisters. My mother, who is an educator and principal, has been a major influence in shaping me into the person I am today." 

Looking ahead, Bradley hopes to pursue a master’s degree and plans to teach kindergarten through second grade in Philadelphia. 

“I often describe myself as outgoing, charismatic and present, and I hope to bring those qualities into my future classroom," she added.