Four students in the School of Education's teacher education program have been selected as 'Strong Scholars' and will receive a scholarship from the Hattie M. Strong Foundation.
Four students in the School of Education’s teacher education program have been awarded $5,000 scholarships from the Hattie M. Strong Foundation. Scholarships are awarded to students who are student teaching during the spring semester.
Recipients of the Hattie M. Strong scholarship must have GPAs of 3.0 or better, exhibit outstanding success and enthusiasm in previous field experiences, show strong leadership skills and demonstrate financial need. The recipients must also intend to pursue a career in teaching.
The 2020-2021 ‘Strong Scholars’ are:
Kathleen Canty ’21
Elon Teaching Fellow
Major: History with Teacher Licensure
Minors: Poverty and Social Justice Studies and Political Science
“I believe the purpose of education is to improve society and the people within it. As an educator it is my goal to develop students’ abilities to: critically reflect on the past and present, be analytical in their consumption of information, be a responsible citizen of a democracy, and understand and appreciate other perspectives, cultures, and their own place in society. In working to achieve these goals I place an emphasis on antiracism, social justice, and social-emotional learning. I believe these three focuses are deeply intertwined with what I understand my role as an educator to be.”
Delaney DeAvila ’21
Major: Elementary Education
“My philosophy of teaching involves preparing students to become community-minded citizens and self-directed leaders. I believe that every child should be given the utmost support toward achieving their highest potential. A way toward achieving this goal is to ensure that all students are active participants in their own learning. Throughout the learning process, teachers should treat students as active participants in their own learning and provide them with skills, such as how to study, memorize, conceptualize, take notes, make connections, and effectively express themselves.”
Olivia Haley ’21
Elon Teaching Fellow
Major: Music Education
“I believe that all students should have access to a quality music education. I firmly believe music education should place focus on developing social-emotional learning, problem solving strategies, critical thinking, and content exploration as students do in their core classes. In addition, my class needs to feel seen, heard, and safe in our space. To accomplish this, I need to develop a curriculum that respects and utilizes the culture of my students from an asset-based mindset. I put equity and social justice above all else and work to give every student the opportunity to feel confident in their musical capabilities.”
Hayley Risk ’21
Elon Teaching Fellow
Major: English with Teacher Licensure
“Kids are smart. This I absolutely believe. Too many times students and teachers alike view themselves as givers of knowledge, when really our job is to be facilitators. The subject of English offers a powerful tool to students. It creates a pathway for introspection while simultaneously offering an outlet to understand the world and make connections with others who inhabit vastly different spaces. Every student deserves to both see themselves reflected in the literature they read and to catch glimpses into the world of others. I am here to support my students learning in every way I can because I believe steadfastly and ferociously that kids are smarter than we give them credit for.”
ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
The Hattie M. Strong Foundation was incorporated in the District of Columbia in 1928. The foundation administers a scholarship program and a grant program. Hattie M. Strong, for whom the foundation is named, was born in 1864. She supported herself and her son by creating a combination hospital and hotel for gold miners in Alaska. Strong overcame challenges through her high energy, range of interests and ingenuity. To provide for herself and her son, she held a number of positions, including nurse, physician’s assistant, ticket agent and supervisor of a men’s club. In 1905, she married Henry Alvah Strong, the first president of Eastman Kodak Co., and dedicated the rest of her life to helping the less fortunate. For more information about this foundation, please visit www.hattie.org.