July 27, 2024

First-Class UMW Grads Earn Teacher of the Year Honors

Seacobeck Hall is home to UMW’s College of Education, which fosters future educators. Several recent College of Education graduates received ‘Teacher of the Year’ awards this year. Photo by Parker Michels-Boyce.

Seacobeck Hall is home to UMW’s College of Education, which fosters future educators. Several recent College of Education graduates received ‘Teacher of the Year’ awards this year. Photo by Parker Michels-Boyce.

Carleigh Rahn ’22 turned her classroom into an “escape room” to prepare for a unit on exploration. Mallory Karnei ’22 used the SkyView Lite app to help students learn about planets. Ivelisse Maddalena ’22 assigned a drawing activity to illustrate the concept that anyone can be a scientist.

What do these three local educators have in common? They all are recent University of Mary Washington graduates, and they all are recipients of this year’s “top teacher” awards in Fredericksburg, and Spotsylvania and Stafford counties, respectively.

During National Teacher Appreciation Week, Mary Washington celebrates teachers making a difference in their classrooms and in their communities throughout school districts near and far.

“I am extremely proud of the many teaching accolades and awards our graduates from the College of Education receive early in their teaching careers,” UMW College of Education Dean Pete Kelly said of this year’s honorees. “Our students are bright and deeply committed to becoming excellent teachers.” Read more.