Two dozen awards were presented to Education students at the Professionalism and Excellence in Student Teaching Award Ceremony hosted by the College of Education's offices of Student Services and Field Experiences on May 11 at the Williams Center Horizon Room.
The event included a welcoming address by Nicole Hohenstein, coordinator of Student Services, who also explained the Professionalism Award, based on the recommendation of faculty and staff members, "recognizes a candidate's commitment to demonstrating a professional disposition at Fredonia and in field experiences at local schools." Recipients of the Professionalism Award, which recognizes undergraduate and graduate Education majors who demonstrate values and attitudes consistent with the highest professional standards, included:
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Recipients of the Excellence in Student Teaching Award |
Ryan Fuller, graduate student, Curriculum and Instruction in Inclusive Education; Kelsey LiPuma, graduate, Literacy Birth – Grade 12; Samantha Pedneault, undergraduate student, Music Education; Jessica Wilson, graduate, Childhood Education; Steve Swart, undergraduate, Childhood Education; Kristal Zarczynski, undergraduate, Early Childhood Education; Alexander Rodriguez, undergraduate, Childhood Education and 7-9 English; and Megan Reeves, undergraduate, Social Studies Education.
Ann Marie Loughlin, director of Field Experiences, shared some personal reflections, encouraging recipients of the Excellence in Student Teaching Award to never stop learning and questioning. She noted, "You are the future of education. You are leaders in this amazing field and as a leader you have a responsibility to create change and be a driving force. You need to be the voice of the children."
The Excellence in Student Teaching Award recognized education majors who exhibited exceptional performance, superior professional behavior, inspirational lesson planning and exceeded normal expectations for creating ideas during both student teaching experiences.
Recipients of the award were the following Early Childhood/Childhood Education (Early Childhood Birth-Grade 2 and Childhood grades 1-6) majors: Jasmine Barrow, Krista Boardman, Emily Higgins, Kiri Kochanski, Shannon Kolb, Audra McDonald, Rebecca Rodriguez and Barbara Simon.
Recipients of the award were the following Childhood Inclusive Education (Childhood Grades 1-6 and Students with Disabilities Grades 1-6) majors: Emily Carpenter, Nicole Crisalli, Kelly Edinger (and 7-9 Math), Leah Hayes, Domenica Scarapicchia and Audrey Valle (and 7-9 English).
Students in the Fredonia-Hamburg Internship program, majoring in Childhood Inclusive Education (Childhood Grades 1-6 and Students with Disabilities Grades 1-6), were: Natalie Buck (and 7-9 Math) and Danielle Consaul (and 7-9 Math).
Dean of the College of Education Christine Givner presented certificates, while comments written about each award recipient were read by Chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction Robert Dahlgren, and Chair of the Department of Language, Learning and Leadership Cindy Bird.
The College of Education noted that these awards would not be possible if it were not for the dedication and hard work of classroom teachers who volunteer to be mentors. Out of 68 students seeking certification in Childhood, Early Childhood, Early Childhood and Childhood or Childhood Inclusive Education, 16 teacher candidates were recognized at the awards event. Teacher candidates seeking certification in Adolescence Education areas received their Excellence in Student Teaching certificates at the respective academic ceremonies.
