WINONA LAKE - Four seniors from Grace College’s School of Education were recently honored for excellence in student teaching: Annie Lundy, Haley Carson, Izabella Burke and Avery Samms.
“These ladies exemplify the excellence, both in and out of the classroom, of Grace College graduates,” said Dr. Cheryl Bremer, dean of the School of Education at Grace College. “We are very proud of the effort they put into their student teaching and education.”
Each school year, the School of Education selects students who demonstrate excellence as student teachers. Recipients are awarded a plaque and recognition for their achievements in the classroom.
Lundy was named the Outstanding Prospective Elementary Education Teacher.
According to Lundy, Grace’s program played a huge role in preparing her for student teaching third-graders at Mentone Elementary School.
“One of the most important things I learned at Grace was the value of differentiation — how to meet each student’s unique needs throughout a lesson,” said Lundy. “The program emphasized putting students first. So I learned how to build rapport with students, incorporate their interests and hobbies into my teaching, and reach learners at all levels of readiness.”
This fall, Lundy will continue to teach at Mentone Elementary School, this time as a fourth-grade teacher.
“This is especially meaningful because I’ll have the opportunity to continue working with many of the same students I taught in third grade,” said Lundy. “This continuity will allow me to build even deeper relationships with my students and support their growth more intentionally throughout the year.”
Carson, of Etna Green, was named the Outstanding Prospective Special Education Teacher.
Carson realized her knack for teaching while leading camps and Sunday school classes at her church. But she found her love for special education at Grace.
“I will never forget being placed in a self-contained classroom for my Emotional Behaviors and Disorders class and saying that I would never teach in a self-contained setting,” said Carson. “God works in funny ways, as I am now teaching half day in a self-contained classroom for students with emotional and behavioral disorders, and I wouldn’t change a single thing about my job.”
Since graduating in December, Carson has worked at Milford Elementary as the K-3 special education teacher and at Wawasee Community Schools in the elementary BRIDGE (Behavioral Readiness & Individualized Growth in Education) program.
“These students have stretched me and made me more confident in teaching and working with challenging students,” said Carson. “We don’t always understand God’s plans and timing, but I am sure that I have seen God’s work in my job placement and those that I work with.”
Burke of Hillsdale, Mich., was named Outstanding Prospective Secondary Education Teacher.
Although Burke knew she wanted to pursue education for a long time, her decision to major in secondary social studies education came at the last moment. According to Burke, student teaching confirmed she made the right choice.
“Student teaching was one of the best experiences of my life,” said Burke. “I learned so much and had the best time being an eighth-grade teacher. Bonding with the students was truly life-changing.”
Burke recently accepted a seventh-grade world history position at PATH School in Indianapolis, a public K-8 charter school. She aspires to earn a master's degree to become “a teacher for future teachers.”
“Just like what I experienced here at Grace College, I would love to be that for someone else,” said Burke. “Someday, I hope to be at least half as good as the incredible Dr. Laurie Owen and wise Professor Gilmer.”
Finally, Avery Samms, of Dublin, Ohio, was named Outstanding Prospective Reading Teacher.
Samms credits her mom and grandmothers for exposing her to the field of teaching from a young age. She also thanks several educators who affirmed her calling along the way.
“My first grade teacher, Miss Taylor, my high school teacher, Mrs. Andrews, as well as my French teacher, Madame Heaton, were all influential figures who helped foster the desire to teach within me,” said Samms.
After working alongside a cooperating teacher Samms calls “nothing short of amazing,” Samms has accepted a position teaching kindergarten at Indian Run Elementary in her hometown of Dublin.
“It has been a joy to see my students and their smiles every day,” said Samms of her student teaching experience. “I hope to continue pouring into students and making a difference in little lives for years to come.”
To learn more about Grace College’s School of Education, visit www.grace.edu/academics/undergraduate/academic-schools-departments/school-of-education/.