Justin Walters

1401 Belvedere Drive

Kokomo, IN 46902
(706) 580-5287
Jbwalters1984@gmail.com

7/2/2019
Mr. Paul Douglas
The Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities
301 N Talley Ave
Muncie, IN 47306

Dear Mr. Douglas:

I am writing to you about the opening for a Student Life Counselor. Browsing through job listings on the Ball State
website in a continued search for employment, having graduated in May with my Master’s in International Relations
from the University of Indianapolis, I was elated to see this re-posting as I still believe it relates so well to my lived
experience, interests, and my own developmental years growing up as I did on campus at Ball State where my
mother attended. I would love to have the opportunity to discuss with you again why I am suited for this position.
From an early age I was recognized as being gifted, and can certainly remember well enough all that that
designation brings. Beyond that though, I have spent most of my adult life working with youth from eighth grade all
the way up through college age young adults. Although most of that experience was in a religious setting, I have
also done volunteer work relating more generally to education. In fact, in the final semester of my Master’s program
we did a service-learning project with the Burmese American Community Institute in Indianapolis and it was an
extremely rewarding experience. My experience in youth mentoring is extensive and includes a broad array of
young people from many different backgrounds.
I have been impressed reading about the excellence that is on display at Indiana Academy, and even more so by its
designation as a public school. Growing up a product of public schools myself, I am a firm believer in education as a
public and essential good. Additionally, the prospect of working with students from an international background is
exciting as it ties in with the degree I just obtained, as well as one of my favorite aspects of my own grad school
experience, that is to say, the experience of diversity in an academic setting. The free exchange of ideas, and
perspectives is at the core of my own philosophy regarding education. My own educational journey has been a
winding one, filled with numerous triumphs, as well as letdowns that have left me with a relevant story to share with
many of the youth I have encountered in my various mentorship efforts. I can relate to the peaks of academic
achievement as well as the valleys of disappointments, scholastic and personal.
I have provided three references as part of my application, but would be happy to provide more references as
needed. Many of my strongest relationships to this day began as mentorship opportunities, and I am happy to point
to a variety of young adults that have grown into successful and well-rounded individuals due in some small part to
efforts I made with them. I would appreciate any consideration you might give me for this position, and would be
thrilled to answer any questions you might have for me. I believe I would be an asset to your school, and more
importantly to the young people attending it. Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope to hear from you.
Sincerely,

Justin Walters