Motivated by her cousin Grace, who has Down syndrome, Izzie Crowley found her purpose in helping children reach their potential, no matter their challenges. Supported by a personal donor relationship that reminds her why she chose this path, Crowley aims to make a difference in the education system.
For Izzie Crowley ’28, teaching isn’t just a career choice; it’s a calling shaped by family. She is pursuing a promising future in special education at Elon thanks to her close relationship with her cousin who has Down syndrome, Grace.
“Watching Grace grow up, I learned that, while she wasn’t equipped to deal with certain things in life, she is so talented in many ways – it just shows up differently. Grace is so happy all the time and she has so many hobbies. She can twirl a baton for longer than anyone I’ve ever met and she’s a great swimmer too,” said Crowley.
Since the 8th grade, Crowley knew she had the skills and passion to pursue teaching children with disabilities as a career path. She grew up with Grace her whole life, but as she got older, she started to notice differences in their developmental stages. She began to teach and aid Grace in her studies, helping her learn to spell and write.
“To me that was my cue that there are so many people out there that are being treated as if they can’t do things when it’s not true; they can do it. They just do it in a different way,” Crowley said.
Grace’s talents and struggles emphasized Crowley’s desire to teach special education.
“Grace has the best handwriting, and she’s also excellent at remembering things,” she said. “Teaching Grace encouraged me to want to help others through this, because it’s difficult when students don’t have a teacher to encourage what they are already good at, and instead focuses just on the skills that they need to develop.”
Crowley was encouraged to explore Elon from one of her other family members, an alum of Elon’s Teaching Fellows program. She provided Crowley with a list of what to look for in the best teaching programs as she started to explore colleges.
“Elon was the only school that had everything on the list. I have always genuinely enjoyed it here,” said Crowley. “Before I even got into the Teaching Fellows, I said to my mom, I think this is where I need to be.”
Crowley prides herself on being a “social butterfly” who enjoys meeting and talking with others.
“I’m always meeting new people and reaching out to them. I’m most proud of myself for meeting new people and making lasting connections. Meeting others through Teaching Fellows has been the highlight of my Elon experience,” she said.
As a lifelong dancer, Crowley has connected her creative passions and interest in special education with research and a minor in dance. Having previously conducted research in high school on how incorporating dance with individuals who have special needs can enhance their overall body function and awareness of their body, she plans to build on her knowledge by beginning research here at Elon.
“Originally, my research was just how dance can benefit those who have special needs, both physically and mentally. I want to hone that into my future profession and discover how it can work in a classroom setting,” she said.
Crowley is also involved in volunteer work with Alamance County schools through service with the “It Takes a Village” Project, a program to aid English as a second language for elementary students.
She says this volunteer work has been a catalyst for her future work as a teacher.
“Last spring, I was placed in a classroom working 30 hours a week, which was huge for me. It’s exciting, and it reinforces that this is what I want to do following graduation,” she said.
Crowley’s Joey Brocato Memorial Teaching Fellows Scholarship was established by Elon parents Mike and Karen Brocato P’16, in memory of their son Joey. The Brocato family expressed to Crowley that they intentionally wanted to donate to a future educator who wanted to go into special education.
“To know that I’m privileged enough to be the one they want to give back to encourages me to work my hardest,” saoe Crowley. “I’m lucky enough to have met my donors, the Brocato family, last fall, to meet and talk. I’ll text them to check in and get updates. It’s nice to have that personal connection.”
She explained that her close relationship with her donors has only increased her drive to succeed and give back to her community and the children in it.
“Knowing them has pushed me to want to be better. Their story is so meaningful to me because of my cousin, Grace,” said Crowley. “To have that connection and know them only pushes me further to do the best I can because I want them to feel like they’re putting their money into something beneficial.
As a future educator, Crowley says she is aware of the obstacles in the field, one being lower pay.
“As a future educator, I’m aware that I am not going to be making a ton of money, but it doesn’t change the fact that this is what I want to do,” she said. “Being given this scholarship and the opportunity to learn and get all the experiences that I need to be a future educator, without the worry of having too much debt, has been such a big help.”