Thanks to the support of those who nominated honorees for the UNC Greensboro School of Education’s (SOE) Inspirational Educators program, seniors Natalia Fagundez and Michayla Lewis have been named the recipients of the SOE’s Student Excellence Award.
Fagundez is a special education major with a concentration in Spanish and an American Sign Language minor. She said that this honor will help her fund her “educational journey” and allow her to “focus more on my studies and to pursue additional opportunities.”
Lewis is a dual major in elementary education and special education and a dance minor. She said, “I always keep in mind when teaching how we impact the lives of the youth. It will be a constant reminder of all the good that I can do and all the changes I can implement, even if they are small.”
Both recipients expressed the honor they felt to be selected and the motivation this will provide for them to continue to work toward a successful career in the classroom.
Said Courtney Dabney, Senior Director of Development for the School of Education, “I want to congratulate both Natalia and Michayla on this well-deserved recognition. The lack of scholarships remains a critical barrier for many of our students, and we are deeply appreciative of the Inspirational Educators program. This exceptional initiative not only acknowledges the profound impact of outstanding educators but also provides our students with the opportunity to achieve similar success. We are grateful for the continued support that makes this program possible.”
Launched in 2018, Inspirational Educators recognizes educators who have made a transformative impact on students’ lives. The UNC Greensboro School of Education values the difference educators make in engaging communities and promoting life-changing opportunities through education.
The goals for the Inspirational Educators program are simple: elevate the profession of education, create an opportunity to honor people who have made a difference in the lives of others, and raise much needed funds for our future educators. A permanent recognition, the Inspirational Educators Wall, is displayed in the School of Education Building.
Fagundez and Lewis each passed along messages of gratitude to the donors who made this honor possible.
Fagundez said, “Thank you for your contribution to building successful teachers and your investment in education.”
Lewis said, “To the donors who made this possible, I thank you for your generous and selfless contributions that will go a long way in helping me with the financial burden of my education. I not only greatly appreciate this for myself, but also for others that receive this award.”
To learn more about the Inspirational Educators program, you can click HERE or contact Dabney at chdabney@uncg.edu.
