Toma-Harrold '23, an elementary education alumna, was recognized as a top five finalist for the 2022-2023 North Carolina Student Teacher of the Year at the North Carolina Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (NCACTE) Fall Forum.
Dani Toma-Harrold ’23, a standout alumna in the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education, was named one of the top five finalists for the prestigious North Carolina Association of Colleges for Teacher Education’s Student Teacher of the Year (STOY) Award. This nomination comes on the heels of her recent recognition with the Arnold Strauch Student Teaching Award at Elon University, celebrating her exceptional performance in student teaching and academic excellence.
Toma-Harrold continues a remarkable tradition, becoming the fourth consecutive finalist from the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education. The distinguished list of finalists from previous years include Erika Kim ’22, Madi Clark ’21, and Rachel Kowalewski ’20.
The Arnold Strauch Award is bestowed upon individuals who exemplify outstanding academic achievements, superior student teaching performance, a high level of professionalism, and a potential contribution to the field of education. Toma-Harrold has clearly demonstrated her commitment to these criteria.
Toma-Harrold’s academic journey at Elon University has been marked by her dedication and passion for education. She majored in elementary education and pursued double minors in African/African American Studies and environmental education. Her commitment to environmental education and antiracist teaching practices has led to presentations at local and national conferences, including the esteemed American Educational Research Association.
Katie Baker, associate professor of education, who had the privilege of mentoring Toma-Harrold, attests to her exceptional qualities as a learner, presenter, and classroom teacher. Her approach to teaching math reflects her equity-minded philosophy, fostering a positive disposition towards growth mindset and productive struggle in mathematics among her students.
In addition to her teaching, Toma-Harrold is a reflective practitioner who continually seeks to improve herself for the benefit of her students. Her teaching style incorporates her undergraduate research in abolitionist environmental, place-based instruction, making her lessons engaging and inclusive.
Toma-Harrold’s students also speak volumes about her impact. They describe her as a teacher who not only helps them learn but also makes them feel safe, happy, and valued in the classroom. One student even affectionately referred to her as “the rainbow in our cloud.”
Beyond her classroom achievements, Toma-Harrold was an active leader within Elon University’s Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education. She served as a student ambassador, welcoming prospective and new students to campus, and represented her classmates on the Teacher Education Committee. Her efforts led to a fair compensation plan for student teachers’ commutes to their placement fieldwork.
Furthermore, Toma-Harrold was chosen as the student speaker at the Intercultural Learning Certificate Program graduation, where she urged her peers to reflect on diversity, equity, and inclusion in education.
Her dedication to education extends beyond the classroom, as she has also represented Elon University at state and national conferences, showcasing her potential for a global impact.
This nomination for the North Carolina Association of Colleges for Teacher Education’s Student Teacher of the Year (STOY) Award is a testament to Toma-Harrold’s exceptional qualities as an educator and leader. Her drive and commitment to student-centered instruction make her a valuable asset to any educational institution.