Six students were selected to represent Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) at the Teachers of Promise Institute, Mar. 24-25, in Richmond, Va. The Teachers of Promise Foundation, which sponsored the event, seeks to recognize and support the best prospective public school teachers in the United States, according to their website.
Students that participated included: Laura Hershey, mathematics major from Waynesboro, Va.; Stacy Lehman, art major from Stryker, Ohio; Sarah Leland, special education major from Chambersburg, Pa.; Camila Pandolfi, Spanish major from Harrisonburg, Va.; Rebecca Peachey, early/primary education major from Petersburg, Pa.; and Julie Young, early/primary education major from Fishersville, Va.
“It was a complete affirmation of my call to teaching,” said Peachey. “It was refreshing to spend the weekend with those who have the same passion you do and can model what it takes to be a great teacher.”
The two-day workshop featured sessions on “Creating Cultural Connections” and “Engaging Learners in Active Lessons.”
“The Teachers of Promise Institute is a meaningful event to celebrate tomorrow’s teachers,” said Cathy Smeltzer Erb, chair of undergraduate teacher education at EMU and faculty representative at the conference. “I am proud of EMU’s teachers of promise for the hope, competence and commitment to excellence they bring to the teaching profession and the lives of many children in the future.”