From left: Owen Longacre, Rebecca Stoez-Nagy, Laci Gautsche, Allison Bontrager, Allison Eames and Amber Shelly represented EMU at the Teacher's of Promise Institute in Richmond, Va. (Photo provided by EMU education department)

Two-Day Workshop Inspires Future Teachers

Six students were selected to represent Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) at the Teachers of Promise Institute, March 22-23, 2013, a two-day workshop designed to recognize and support the best prospective public school teachers in the United States, according to their website.

EMU students that participated included: Allison Bontrager, mathematics major from Wellman, Ia.; Allison Eanes, elementary education major from Harrisonburg, Va.; Laci Gautsche, art education major from Archbold, Ohio; Owen Longacre, history education major from Telford, Pa.; Rebecca Stoesz-Nagy, elementary education and TESL education major from Harrisonburg, Va.; and Amber Shelly, special education and elementary education major from Bluffton, Ohio.

“I cannot imagine a more inspiring event to ignite the passion and spirit of our future teachers than the Teachers of Promise Institute,” said Tracy Hough, assistant professor of teacher education at EMU.

The two-day workshop featured sessions on “Creating Cultural Connections” and “Engaging Learners in Active Lessons.”

“Being surrounded by the best educators in the state, as well as a few nationally recognized teachers, brought the kind of positive energy and elevation to the teaching profession that it deserves,” said Gautsche. “I am more excited than ever to begin my teaching career!”