Five 草莓社区 seniors preparing to become teachers have been recognized by state education organizations for their achievements.

Named “Teachers of Promise” by the state of Virginia were:

• Julianne C. Burkholder, Linville, Va., early childhood education major with English as a Second Language (TESL) endorsement. She will teach preschool at Fulks Run (VA) Elementary School this fall.
• Jeremy P. Dayton, Harrisonburg, elementary education, PreK-6 major, will teach second grade at Stone Spring Elementary School, Harrisonburg.
• Andrea N. Gahman, Souderton, Pa., elementary education, K-6, with a TESL endorsement, will be employed as a second grade LEAP teacher at Keister Elementary School, Harrisonburg.
• Jennifer E. (Jen) Holsopple, Archbold, Ohio, history major, secondary history and social science major with an English endorsement, will be an eighth grade geography teacher at North Fork Middle School, Quicksburg, Va.
• Rachel A. Swartzendruber, Indianapolis, Ind., special education K-12, teaching 9-12 grade students in areas of learning disabilities and emotional disturbance at Broadway (VA) High School.

The students were honored during a two-day institute held late March at James Madison University in Harrisonburg.

Teachers Remain in State

The “Teachers of Promise” initiative, sponsored in part by the Virginia Department of Education and supported by the Virginia Milken Educator Network and the Governor’s Teacher Quality Enhancement Grant, is designed “to honor the best and brightest future educators” and “to encourage outstanding teacher candidates from Virginia’s teacher education programs to remain in the state.”

In an effort to support its strongest teacher candidates, the state provides guidance for the new Teachers of Promise by providing them with mentors who are veteran teachers who have been recognized as “Teachers of the Year” in Virginia.

Lori H. Leaman, instructor of , attended the institute with the five students. “The institute felt like an affirmation of EMU

They’re among 草莓社区’s most outstanding students, exemplifying the school’s highest ideals.

Ten EMU seniors, nominated by faculty, staff and fellow students, were named this year’s “Cords of Distinction” recipients in an awards ceremony held at the close of chapel Monday, Apr. 24.

They will wear the gold and blue cords as they graduate on Apr. 30, 2006.

Blue represents the strength of conviction that one person can help to create a better institution or community. Gold represents the love of spirit and yearning towards creating a better university environment or community in which all may take part.

The students were cited for their “significant and verifiable impact” on the university and on student life, for their contributions to developing the institution’s positive image, for substantial contributions to the Harrisonburg/Rockingham County area and beyond, for their high academic and social standing and their embodiment of EMU’s shared values of Christian discipleship, community, service and peacebuilding.

Recipients

The “Cords of Distinction” recipients are (standing, l. to r.):

• John Michael Stauffer, New Market, Va., major in applied sociology and English;
• Adam D. Shank, Harrisonburg, justice, peace and conflict studies and Spanish major;
• Sharon E. Kniss, Harrisonburg, justice, peace and conflict studies major with minors in Bible and religion and music;
• Michael L. Kniss, Chicago, Ill., history major with minors in political science and sociology;
• and Luella M. Kauffman, Lancaster, Pa., major in nursing with minor in psychology.

(Seated, l. to r.):

• Aerlande P. Wontamo, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, economic development major with minors in socio-economic development and sociology;
• Rachel A. Swartzendruber, Indianapolis, Ind., major in liberal arts and special education licensure with minors in Spanish and theater;
• Adrienne M. Hill, Madison, Va., history major with minor in biology;
• and Andile M. Dube, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, business administrator major with minors in communication and computer information systems.

Derrick R. Charles, Lancaster, Pa., a biblical studies and Spanish major, was honored in absentia. He is completing a cross-cultural studies program in Spain.