By Cynthia Lee, IDLA Human Resource & Finance Manager
When my daughter took Pathways to Success during the summer between seventh and eighth grade through IDLA, I’m not sure she fully realized its impact. At the time, it was just another class designed to make her think ahead, plan for high school, and explore possibilities beyond graduation. From a parent’s perspective, I now see how this course played a bigger role than we realized. It quietly laid the foundation for her educational journey and future opportunities. She likely had no idea how those assignments would shape her academic path, let alone lead her to a career in education.
Fast forward to today, and that same girl who once logged into a virtual middle school class, researching college costs and mapping out her academic future, has graduated from the University of Utah and has nearly three years of teaching experience. She began her career in Utah, leading a classroom of eager fifth graders before transitioning to sixth grade, where she built meaningful connections with her students and deepened her passion for teaching. Now, at just twenty-three, she has taken Pathways to Success to a new level—teaching seventh and eighth graders in Taipei, Taiwan. After earning a Fulbright Scholarship, she was given the adventure to teach in Taiwan, further expanding her experience in education while immersing herself in a new culture. From Idaho to Utah to the other side of the world, she continues to embrace new challenges and opportunities, inspiring students just as she was once inspired.
Her journey was not without challenges. In high school, she dedicated herself to improving her SAT and ACT scores, knowing scholarships could open doors. She applied to multiple colleges, earning several partial awards and a full tuition offer to the College of Idaho. While grateful for the opportunity, her heart was set on going out of state. Despite not initially receiving the Eccles Scholarship at the University of Utah, she didn’t lose hope. Just weeks before final college decisions were due, she received an unexpected call—she was being offered the Eccles Scholarship! This prestigious award covered more than we could have hoped for from tuition and housing to meals and books! Without hesitation, she seized the chance to begin spreading her wings.
To all the students currently in IDLA’s Pathways to Success course—maybe you’re rolling your eyes at assignments about developing organization and study habits or mapping out your academic and career path. Maybe it feels boring, overwhelming, or like something you’d rather think about later. But trust me, your time in this class will not be wasted. If you invest in your future self now, it will be worth it. One day, you’ll look back and realize how much these little moments have helped shape your pathway to the future you hope to have.
Because in the end, Pathways to Success isn’t just a middle school class or high school class—it’s a stepping stone. It’s the foundation that shapes decisions, opportunities, and the confidence to take the next step. For my daughter, it started as a simple course but became the first chapter of a journey that has taken her across the world.
Whatever your path, know that the lessons you learn today are laying the groundwork for a future you have yet to discover.
OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com
Pathways to Success:IDLA:Schoology.pdf
