Christopher Allen is a junior at Chestnut Hill College, pursuing a BA in History with a minor in Secondary Education. He has been inducted into a variety of honor societies during his time at Chestnut Hill, including Alpha Lambda Delta (freshmen), History, Education and Delta Epsilon Sigma (national Catholic College). He has consistently made the Dean’s List and maintains a current GPA of X.XX. Christopher is extremely active on campus, as a Tutor in the Writing Center, a Student Ambassador and a Resident Assistant, as well as previously serving as an Orientation Leader. Christopher has also participated in the AmeriCorps Scholars in Service to Pennsylvania program, completing 300 hours of community service within one calendar year. Christopher’s dream job is to someday teach American History in a Catholic high school. He states in his essay that he is inspired to be a teacher because of the care and concern showed to him by his own high school teachers, that he wishes to create an environment in his future classroom where the questioning and challenging of ideas in not only welcomed, but is also encouraged, and that he wants to be that teacher who makes a profound difference in the lives of his students because he genuinely cares for them.

Gustavo Garcia will be graduating from the Tyler School of Art at Temple University in May 2013 with a BFA in Printmaking. He is also pursuing Teaching Certification and has a minor in Art History. Gustavo aspires to be an art teacher, and has already been involved in teaching art and photography classes at a few different schools. On campus at Temple, he is a Student Ambassador, representing Tyler School of Art to prospective students. Gustavo has also been involved in numerous exhibitions, not only showing his own artwork but also assisting with the set-up as well as documenting the exhibits via photography. This includes involvement in exhibits in Italy during his sophomore year studying abroad. Gustavo has also had the unique experience of serving as a counselor at a summer institute for student leaders, where he worked with migrant high school students from all over the world, including Egypt, Mexico, Nepal & Chile. This is especially meaningful, as Gustavo himself immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 12, without any knowledge of English. In his application essay, Gustavo shared the profound impact that a single reading from one of his courses, Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire, had on his conception of education. Specifically, Freire talks about the teacher not making decisions for the student and allowing the student to have a voice in his or her education, and this resonated with Gustavo. He aspires to have reciprocal relationships between himself and his students, and wants to share his rich cultural background, experience and skills to enrich the learning environments and inspire youth while serving as an agent of social change through both his art and his role as an educator.

Lindsay Martin will be graduating with a BA in Early Childhood Education from Eastern University in 2013, and plans to become a Reading Specialist. Lindsay has already participated in numerous field experiences working with and observing young children. She has been working for over a year as a part-time Assistant Teacher at The Goddard School and has also worked for numerous summers as a Program Assistant/Counselor at the Black Rock Retreat summer camp. Lindsay also spent a semester abroad in Uganda, where she volunteered at a school for the blind, assisting with English literacy skills and music. On campus at Eastern, Lindsay is a Board Member of the Leadership Fellows Program, President of the campus chapter of Operation Net (malaria prevention through mosquito net distribution in Uganda and Haiti), as well as a member of the Keswick Team and Violinist/Vocalist for the Worship Team. In Lindsay’s essay, she spoke of her time in Uganda, and of her strong belief that the key to education is literacy. Upon arriving to teach at the Salaama School for the Blind, Lindsay discovered that the school had only one book! Determined to find a way to get books to the school, she discovered that the university where she was living had a children’s library, and so she began checking out large-print books every week to bring with her when she taught. Lindsay also shared the inspiring story of one little boy named John who was completely blind and had severe developmental disabilities causing him to be nearly non-verbal. Lindsay used the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom to teach the alphabet to the children, and after a few days of reading this book, there “came a moment that made the educator in [her] came alive” as John opened his mouth and exclaimed “Chicka chicka boom boom.” This was a powerful moment for Lindsay where she realized for sure that books, along with a lot of patience, are to be her “weapons of choice as an educator.”

Sarah Sell attends Rider University. She has a double major in Elementary Education and Integrated Mathematics & Science, with a minor in Middle School Education & Math. Her honors include induction into the Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honors Society, Kappa Delta Pi International Education Honors Society, and Alpha Lambda Delta First Year Academic Honors Society, as well as recipient of the Rider University Professional Development Award and the Girl Scouts of America Silver and Gold Awards. Sarah has served as a Peer Mentor for the university’s Freshman Seminar, as well as their Leadership and Development Program, and she is also the current President of the Student Education Association. Sarah is an active volunteer in the community. Her service has included annual participation in Autism Walk, Relay for Life, and Habitat for Humanity Group Workcamps. In her essay, Sarah addresses the obligation of teachers to “prepare our students for their social responsibilities and molding them into lifelong learners” and states that her “goal and reason for becoming an educator is to foster exploration, development, and achievement through the care and safety of every individual learner.” On a final note, in her recommendation letter, the Dean of the School of Education at Rider wrote, “I know that Hannah Amgott passed away in 2005 following a battle with cancer. Sarah’s work with Relay for Life honors her legacy. Her values, beliefs, and ethical principles are ones that embody the memory of this great woman who coped so well with the challenges she faced. Sarah’s spirit, as well as the work she does, makes her an excellent candidate for this award.”

Mary-Rebecca Truchan is a junior at West Chester University, pursuing a BS in Early Childhood Education. A Dean’s List student, she is a member of the Pi Lambda Theta Honors Society for Educators and has been recognized by Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. As a campus leader, Mary-Rebecca is part of a select group of students chosen to represent West Chester at presidential events as a member of the Golden Rams Society. She recently served as the university’s Student Representative at the PSEA conference, and also volunteered at our very own Teacher Job Fair in March. Since 2011, Mary-Rebecca has served as a Career Liaison in the Career Center. She also founded/coordinated the Flat Stanley pen pal project in partnership with Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, where she has previously worked as a Teacher’s Assistant. In her essay, Mary-Rebecca states that she knew way back as a preschooler that she would someday become a teacher, and this aspiration has only grown over the years. She states that she wants to “see children’s eyes light up as they realize they can do something they’ve been working on“ and “to see students discovering their strengths and using them to excel in learning.” In support of her scholarship application, our very own Phil Tripp commented in his letter of recommendation that “she exemplifies many of the qualities Hannah Amgott held as qualities of an excellent educator.”