Jacqlyn Gallagher, Gwynedd Mercy University, Pursuing Bachelor of Science with a double major in Early Childhood and Special Education, Class of 2016
Jacqlyn has a cumulative GPA of 3.93. Jacqui is the President of the Special Education Club, participated in the Griffin Student Leadership Institute Exceptional Leaders Program, was inducted into the Phi Alpha Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society for education, and is a member of the Council for Exceptional Children, which awarded her the George O’Neill Memorial Scholarship in 2014. Jacqui was one of ten students chosen to travel to Ireland last summer to represent Gwynedd Mercy at the Conference for Young Mercy Leaders held in Dublin. Since 2012, she has participated in the Teacher Apprenticeship program, which has offered her an opportunity to experience not only public school elementary classrooms, but also a preschool and a private Catholic school. She currently works with children as both a nanny and an Assistant Teacher at a pre-school/child care facility. One of her recommendations described Jacqui as having a way of making each child in a large group feel like a unique individual, and as a gifted educator with an extremely promising future. In her essay, Jacqui stated that she has found truth in Nelson Mandela’s words asserting, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” and she looks forward to being the kind of teacher who teaches and inspires children to love learning.
Kathleen Johnson, Rutgers University, Enrolled in the Graduate Teacher Prep Program, Pursuing certification in Art K-12, P-3 and Special Education, Class of 2016
Kate has previously completed Teacher Prep studies at Moore College of Art, and graduated in 1990 from the University of the Arts with a BFA in Printmaking and a concentration in Art Education. Kate’s career path has included six years in the role of Director of the Young Children’s Center for the Arts in Philadelphia, which is a non-profit, arts-based preschool. She is currently an art teacher at Perkins Center for the Arts, a teacher at Little Friends Cooperative Nursery School, as well as Events Coordinator at the Riverton Free Library (all in NJ). One of her recommenders said that Kate is very caring, creative, and extremely positive in her interaction with both children and parents. In her essay, Kate stated that she realizes how important it is to not just have a “job”, but to be doing your life’s work. She can’t NOT teach. She longs to combine her love of young children, creative endeavors, and differentiated instruction in order to create a dynamic classroom that will inspire students and spark their love of learning for a lifetime
Kaitlyn Martin, Saint Joseph’s University, Pursuing Bachelor of Science with a double major in Early Childhood Education & Special Education, along with a minor in Faith-Justice Studies, Class of 2016
Kaitlyn has a GPA of 3.9. She is a member of Saint Joseph’s University’s prestigious Honors program, was the Secretary-Treasurer of the Student Union Board (the university’s programming board), the Vice-President of the Tau Omega chapter of Kappa Delta Pi (International Honor Society in Education), the Vice-President of the university chapter of PSEA (Pennsylvania State Education Association), and the vice-president of the Council for Exceptional Children. Last summer, Kaitlyn participated in St. Joe’s University Scholars research program, where she completed a study titled An Examination of Bullying Prevention Programs in High-Risk Schools and Supporting Future-Teachers in Today’s Classrooms. Her recommenders stated that there is no candidate who comes to mind better suited to the teacher-scholar model than Kaitlyn and that she is a “force to be reckoned with” with the ability to both collaborate and lead well. Kate stated in her essay that she wants to teach in an urban public school. It disturbs her that children’s education can be compromised and undervalued simply because they were born into certain socio-economic circumstances. As a teacher, she wants to inspire her students to follow their dreams no matter what burdens they may face.
Christina Slavin, West Chester University, Pursuing Bachelor of Science in Early Grades Preparation and Special Education, with a minor in Reading, Class of 2016
Christina has a 3.958 GPA and has been on the Dean’s list every semester. Cshe received the Terrie Ozelis Memorial Scholarship,which is awarded to someone who demonstrates potential to be an outstanding teacher in the field-based coursework at West Chester. Christina has worked as a Teacher’s Aide at a local pre-school for the past three years. She has served two terms as Treasurer of the West Chester chapter of Alpha Upsilon Alpha, the honor society of the International Reading Association, and has been elected future president for the upcoming academic year. She is also a member of Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education. Christina has also been involved with the Cap Creations program at West Chester, which uses plastic bottle caps to enhance children’s literacy skills. In her essay, Christina states that one of her major goals for her future classroom is to have her students become passionate about reading. She believes that every student can enjoy books if they find a type of genre or subject that they like. And to quote her recommendations: “Christina Slavin is a person of excellent character and strong personal decorum. Christina has the rare combination of qualities and talents that should ensure her success as a classroom teacher. She is the type of young woman whom I would, without hesitation, choose to teach my own children.”
Kristina Thomson, Eastern University, Pursuing Master of Education in Multicultural Education & Pre-K-4th Grade Certification, Class of 2016
Kristina graduated cum laude from Franklin & Marshall in May 2014 with Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art with a minor in Theatre. She was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society while at F&M. Kristina previously spent a semester as an art teacher’s assistant at a private K-12 school, as well as three years as an Admission Tour Guide at F&M. In June 2014, she was a Mission Trip Leader for a week-long program for 24 teens in Philadelphia. In her essay, Kristina states that both of her parents are teachers, and that she was born with the “teacher gene.” Her first teaching experience was at age 13 when she became an assistant teacher at her dance studio, where she still teaches today. Kristina pursued an undergraduate art degree because she wanted to explore her sense of creativity, knowing that it would eventually play a major role in her future teaching philosophy. Her recommenders commented that Kristina has an “above and beyond” attitude and that she truly wishes to make a difference in the lives of young children living in poverty. One referred to her as “continuously a smile and a positive force, teaching children with a contagious excitement and love.”