Degrees: B.S. in Comprehensive Special Education, B.A. in English
How did the Stamps Scholarship help shape your undergraduate experience?
The Stamps Scholarship has enhanced the way I have experienced college–without any financial burden and with the possibility of amazingly unique enrichment activities throughout my four years at UConn, I became completely immersed in the culture of camaraderie and spirit of curiosity on campus. Not only did I gain an incredible support system and sense of community from my fellow Stamps Scholars (every one of whom is awe-inspiringly talented and kind and destined for great things), but the Stamps Scholarship gave me the means to pursue my love of teaching. I see the classroom as a place of great possibility, perhaps even magic. An educator, correspondingly, has the capacity to prompt great change–and the Stamps Scholarship has helped me become the absolute best educator and change-maker I can be. From attending a three-day professional development workshop on intensive multisensory reading intervention for students with dyslexia, to traveling to Hawaii for an international conference on education where I met hundreds of teachers from all over the world, to even commuting daily to my student teaching placements, the Stamps Family Charitable Foundation has supported my tireless endeavors to become a better teacher and a better human being.
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your freshman self?
The advice I would give my freshman self is the same thing I remind myself of every day–to take comfort in and be unendingly thankful for all of the people I have in my corner. There have certainly been overwhelming times full of uncertainty and indecision, but it has been so important for me to stop and take stock of the people who have shown me great empathy and selflessness. Faculty in the Honors Program, professors, roommates, friends, and family have all been so supportive of my college journey. To my freshman self, and to all freshmen reading, your support network is there for you to lean on as you learn and grow over the next four years!
Who has had the greatest impact on you throughout your college career and how so?
I am so very grateful for all of the people who have shaped me throughout my undergraduate career–each piece of shared wisdom and each unique memory has made me a more thoughtful, more compassionate, more well-rounded person. However, I am particularly thankful for my dad. He is a remarkable listener, an extraordinary sounding-board, and an incomparable giver of advice. He has been my pillar of strength and reason for my entire life, and that didn’t change when I went to college.
What’s your favorite Stamps Scholar memory?
Both National Conventions provided me with some of the best memories of my college experience. Not only was I able to network with some of the most driven, intelligent, all-around interesting people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting, but I was also able to bond with our small group of UConn Stamps Scholars. We even started our own National Convention tradition: we have a group dinner at Mary Mac’s Tea Room in Atlanta, enjoying each other’s company over fried chicken and sweet tea!
What comes next?
Next year, I will be continuing my studies at UConn. I will be getting my Master’s in Educational Psychology (Comprehensive Special Education), as well as a certificate in literacy supports and my certification to teach K-12 special education in the state of Connecticut. After that, I will start my career as a special education teacher! I know that working with students with disabilities is, and will continue to be, one of the most challenging, enlightening, exasperating, joy-filled, hectic, humbling, and incredibly fulfilling experiences I have ever had. I cannot wait.
Please share your favorite inspirational quote.
“If every person in this room made it a rule that wherever you are, whenever you can, you will try to act a little kinder than is necessary – the world really would be a better place.”–R.J. Palacio, Wonder