Riley Fennelle ’25 shares how the Alamance Scholars Program helped make her dream of becoming a teacher a reality.
From a young age, I knew I wanted to be a teacher.
I remember setting up my bedroom as a classroom, with an easel and stuffed animals as my students. On career days, I dressed as a teacher, and in high school, I eagerly volunteered in my former third-grade teacher’s classroom. Teaching has always been my calling.
Attending school in the Alamance-Burlington School System, I was profoundly influenced by my teachers. I wanted to be like them when I grew up. I still remember each of their names, their classrooms and the warm, supportive environments they created for their students. Many of them played a significant role in shaping my “why”— the reason I chose to become a teacher. They poured into my life not just through education, but through meaningful relationships, unwavering support and invaluable lessons in patience, empathy and encouragement. They showed me that teaching is not just about delivering knowledge, but about fostering a sense of belonging and inspiring growth in every student.
If I could go back and reassure my 18-year-old self — the one who felt alone, worried she was falling behind — I would tell her that her journey was unfolding exactly as it was meant to.
My years in ABSS were filled with opportunities that shaped me: elementary school field days, talent shows, Christmas plays and the highly anticipated fifth-grade trip to Washington, D.C. Middle school brought science fairs and dance team practices, while high school was filled with clubs, Friday night football games, senior lunch, prom and graduation. Along the way, I built lifelong friendships and developed a deep appreciation for the community that raised me.
When time for college came, Elon University was my first choice. I had always admired the Elon student teachers who visited my classrooms, aspiring to be like them one day. However, since I was responsible for funding my education, Elon felt financially out of reach. It was a dream I had to set aside until I found a way to make it possible.
After graduating from Walter M. Williams High School in 2020, I enrolled at Alamance Community College in the Associate in Arts – Teacher Preparation program. At first, it felt like a setback. As my childhood friends left for four-year universities, I worried I was missing out on the traditional college experience. But over time, I recognized the advantages of my path. I was able to work full-time as a dance instructor while taking online courses, allowing me to save money in ways I wouldn’t have otherwise.
While at ACC, I discovered the Alamance Scholars Program, a partnership between Elon University, ACC and ABSS that offered reduced tuition for students committed to teaching in ABSS schools. The moment I heard about it, I knew I had to pursue it — it was the opportunity I had been waiting for. Because of this program, I was able to transfer to Elon University, earn my degree in elementary and special education, and secure a job teaching exceptional children at Elon Elementary.
If I could go back and reassure my 18-year-old self — the one who felt alone, worried she was falling behind — I would tell her that her journey was unfolding exactly as it was meant to. Her dream of becoming a teacher and giving back to the community that shaped her wasn’t just possible. It was waiting for her.
Riley Fennelle ’25 is one of seven local students in the Alamance Scholars program, which works to build a diverse, sustainable teacher pipeline and retain local educators in Alamance County public schools.