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EMU names five as Teachers of Promise

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Teachers of Promise
Eastern Mennonite University’s five outstanding pre-service teachers attended the Teachers of Promise Institute in Richmond, Virginia, on March 2-3. From left: Keyri Lopez-Godoy, Jessica Longenecker, Alexa Weeks, Emily Clatterbuck, Hannah Shultz and faculty representative Bonnie Yoder. (Courtesy photo)

Five senior education students from Eastern Mennonite University were selected to attend the March 2-3 Teachers of Promise Foundation Institute in Richmond. The annual event brings together 100 outstanding pre-service teachers from Virginia for recognition, mentorship and professional development.

EMU’s Teachers of Promise are

  • Emily Clatterbuck, an English education major from Grottoes, Va.;
  • Jessica Longenecker, a special education major from Fredericksburg, Va.;
  • Keyri Lopez-Godoy, an elementary education major from Charlottesville, Va.;
  • Hannah Shultz, a music education major from Harrisonburg, Va.;
  • Alexa Weeks, an elementary education major from King William, Va.

The honorees “exemplify strong potential for impacting students in the classroom, high academic standing, commitment to the teaching profession, and embody EMU’s teacher education mission to ‘teach boldly in a changing world through an ethic of care and critical reflection,’” says department chair and professor of education Cathy Smeltzer Erb. “I am confident that these future teachers will positively influence the lives of each student in their classrooms as they create and advocate for just and equitable learning environments.”

EMU’s education program values experiential learning, offering early practicum experiences that help candidates determine their professional path. Teacher candidates choose from 16 different licensure programs.

The education program is one among five private colleges in Virginia accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

Recently, two of EMU’s former Teachers of Promise teaching in Harrisonburg City Schools were recognized by their students for their professional excellence.

Story by Lauren Jefferson

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