CNU Students Honored as 'Teachers of Promise'
News Release - March 05, 2008
Media Contact:
Emily L. Lucier
Press Secretary and Media Manager
emily.lucier@cnu.edu
(757) 594-8428
(NEWPORT NEWS, Va.) - Six students from the Master of Arts program at Christopher Newport University were recently honored as Virginia ‘Teachers of Promise’ at James Madison University. The Teachers of Promise Institute honors Virginia’s brightest prospective teachers who have demonstrated professional commitment, achievement, and leadership while in their respective teacher preparation programs. The students include: Michelle Jenkins, from Queens, New York, Tiffany Gillispie, from Poquoson, and Melissa Zowodny, of Suffolk, who are all prospective elementary teachers. Casey Brigman of Prince George is preparing to teach English, Rose Glass from Yorktown plans to teach Spanish, and Bradley Kraft, whose home is in Poquoson, will be a social studies teacher. The Milken Family Foundation and the Virginia Professional Educators Association collaborated to host the conference held at James Madison University February 29 and March 1. 24 Virginia institutions were present at the event.
The keynote address was given by Virginia's first female State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Jo Lynne DeMary. Tracey Bailey, the 1993 National Teacher of the Year, spoke as well. At the awards dinner, students were pinned by their mentor teachers. Nearly all of the sessions at the conference were presented by state, region, and nationally recognized teachers. There were 39 sessions ranging in topics such as “Preparing Teachers for the World of Diversity in the Classroom” to “Engaging All Learners through Effective Lesson Design.” As well, two Milken Educators were on hand to provide valuable insight about the teaching profession.
Christopher Newport University is a four-year public university in Newport News, Virginia. CNU enrolls 4,800 students in programs through its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Joseph W. Luter III College of Business and Leadership and offers great teaching, small classes and an emphasis on leadership, civic engagement and honor.
Visit us at www.cnu.edu.