Hattie M. Strong Foundation selects education majors as 'Strong Scholars'

Four students in the School of Education's teacher education program have been awarded $5,000 scholarships from the 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 2018-2019 ‘Strong Scholars’ are:

Danielle Lauren Marzullo ’19, is a special and elementary education major. She values guiding students towards finding their voice and creating a comfortable learning environment where students can feel free to ask questions. She hopes to help students find their own creativity and strength to encourage them to feel at home in the classroom.

With an emphasis on empowering students, Marzullo hopes to build relationships with every student she teaches. Throughout her career, Marzullo hopes to build her resiliency and use real-life experience to continually improve her teaching.

 

Marcella Anne Mastrocola ’19, is majoring in elementary education with a minor in leadership studies. Her goal has always been to make a difference in the world, which is what drew her to education. She recognizes that every student is different, and will carry that into her career by focusing on the individual needs to teach.

Mastrocola has had practicum experiences, including being a tutor for America Reads and The Village Project. She hopes to improve the world through education, and values facilitating 21st-century skills such as communication, collaboration, andproblem-solvingg.

 

Allison Michelle Wrin ’19, is majoring in elementary education with a minor in early childhood education. Her philosophy of education is that students learn from the school community, with every person contributing to the students’ learning. She values tailoring instruction to the interests of students to help students learn no matter their learning style.

Wrinwants her future students to be prepared for their futures in today’s dynamic world, so she plans to adapt to their needs in the same way. She also wants to instill in her students the “aspiration of reaching out and helping others in any way that they can.”

 

Mirella Fabiola Cisneros Perez ’19, is a Middle Grades Math Education major, with minors in Poverty and Social Justice and Environmental Education. Her teaching philosophy follows the idea that “teachers have a responsibility to help students understand the world around them.” She hopes to create a student-centered classroom, where she can connect their lives to classroom content. She wants to empower students to help themselves by helping them to take ownership of their learning. Mirella believes that it is her responsibility as a teacher to “change the narrative that has been placed on students from marginalized communities,” and wants all her future students to know that giving up is not an option.

These four "Strong Scholars" will be formally recognized at the School of Education’s Celebration of Excellence ceremony in May.

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. More information – www.hattie.org.