Profiles of Teacher Education Graduates

Michelle Wong

Graduated in 1996 from William Smith with an individually designed major in dance and was also certified to teach elementary and special education.  She has been a kindergarten teacher at Alamo Elementary School in the San Francisco Unified School District in CA since 1997.  She notes: "I enjoy the challenge of working with many English learners and children of diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.  It's very rewarding to be part of children's introduction to school."

 

Matt Bindig

Taught 9th, 10th, and 12th grade English for two years at the Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, MA, following his 1998 graduation from Hobart.  He is certified in secondary English.  Matt is presently pursuing a Masters in Education degree at Harvard Universtity, taking graduate courses in both English and education.  He loved the private, boarding school environment because it allows you not only the luxury of small class sizes and curricular freedom, but also the opportunity to get to know the students on many different levels."

Heather Farquahar

Has this to say about the Blackwell Elementary School in Cobb County, GA where she has been teaching 5th grade since her graduation from William Smith in 1998: "I work in a school district which is open to change and new innovative practices.  William Smith prepared me very well for teaching, particularly in the areas that matter."  Heather majored in Biology as an undergraduate, is certified in both elementary and special education, and now teaches all subjects in 5th grade but concentrates in science.
 

Anne Eisman-Burns

Majored in Spanish at William Smith, graduating in 1989.  She taught 3rd grade in Jefferson, Maine, 3rd grade in Cobbleskill, NY, and now teaches 2nd grade language arts and social studies at Key Elementary School, a Spanish Immersion School in Arlington, Virginia.  She comments, "This is my favorite teaching position thus far due to the unique program.  Immersion has really changed me as a teacher and enables me to continue my growth as a learner.  HWS Colleges prepared me well."

Susannah Jackson:

Immediately after her graduation in 1999, Susannah began teaching at the Hoboken Charter School in Hoboken, NJ.  She is now lead teacher in a multi-age, inclusive classroom and loves the challenge of working in a charter school.  "I believe that what appeals to me most is the freedom I have in my classroom and also the feeling that I am an integral part of something exciting and wonderful."  Susannah majored in psychology at William Smith with teacher certification in both elementary and special education.

Ben Clardy

Graduated from Hobart in 1994 as an English major with teacher certification in secondary English.  He has been teaching high school English in the Fayettevill-Manlius School District, an excellent suburban district in Central New York, since 1995 and is pursuing a Masters degree in English Education at Syracuse University.  He notes, "Wonderful kids, an outstanding department, and the freedom to teach interesting texts combine to make F-M a great place to work. I miss H-WS!"

Molly Hanna

Created an individual major at William Smith in Women's Studies, graduated in 1999 with teacher certification in both elementary and special education, and presently teaches at the Forman School in Litchfield, CT.  She is a learning specialist, house parent, and coach at the residential school for students with learning disabilities.
Molly writes: "Seeing students who otherwise could have been lost in the educational system truly succeed and become who they always knew they could be makes my job incredibly worthwhile and so rewarding."  Molly will begin a Masters program in special education at Simmons College in the fall of 2001.

Sarah Kelly-Ike

Graduated in 1998 with an English major and certification in secondary English.  She was hired immediately after graduating to teach at Geneva High School in Geneva, NY, the school in which she did her student teaching as a senior.  Sarah teaches grades 9, 10, and 11 and loves what she's doing.  She says, "As I facilitate productive, positive interactions among the multiplicity of personalities,
cultures, beliefs, and ideals I see the students reaping the benefits and finding their passion for literature--this motivtes and inspires me."

Stephanie Stripp

Teaches teenage students with disabilities at South Fork High School in Stuart, FL.  She reports that her students are full of life and can teach a person a lot about him or herself!"  Graduating from William Smith in 2000, Stephanie majored in English and was certified in elementary and special education.  About her teaching she says, "We do everything, I love the variety."