Spotlight on Success

Zachary Little, C'13, was named a Maryland Distinguished Teacher Candidate by the Maryland Association of Teacher Educators on Saturday.  Zachary, an elementary and special candidate major at Mount St. Mary's, excelled in his internships where he demonstrated a care for the individual through his daily planning, reflection, and collaboration with other school personnel.  Dr. Barbara Marinak, university supervisor, accompanied Zac to the award ceremony

Two extraordinary alums from the School of Education and Human Services were recently inducted into the inaugural class of the Mount St. Mary's Dean's Circle of Excellence. Barbara Spartana Conticelli, C'78, and Michele Egan McGuire, C'87, were recognized for their outstanding accomplishments in service to their community, and their work in the field of education.
Conticelli graduated summa cum laude from the Mount and began her career teaching, and then worked in the home raising her children, Maria and Anthony. Conticelli also spent time working as a paralegal and has recently committed to earning her master’s degree in theology from Franciscan University. Conticelli has been a servant to the Church, leading various Scripture studies, sponsoring candidates becoming Catholic in the Rite of Christian Initiation, and living a life of witness to the Catholic faith.
McGuire began her teaching career with the Montgomery County Public Schools, teaching first- and second-grade students. In 2003, she received the Christa McAuliffe Scholarship, a full scholarship, to earn her M.Ed. in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) from the University of Maryland, and is currently teaching ESOL to students pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade at Christa McAuliffe Elementary School in Germantown, MD.

Matt Himes C'11 was one of six individuals selected for the Urban Catholic Teacher Corps of Boston College.  The UCTC combines a fully funded graduate program at the Boston College's Lynch School of Education with a two-year volunteer teaching experiences in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston.  

While at the Mount Matt demonstrated his commitment to Catholic schools through his involvement in Educators for Justice Society, campus ministry, and independent research with Dr. Caroline Eick, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Professor of Education.

The School of Education and Human Services (SEHS) received a grant from Simple K-12, an Orlando based, online teacher professional development company. All Mount St. Mary's students, faculty, staff, SEHS alumni are eligible for a free one-year membership to The Teacher Learning Community.  Furthermore, Simple K-12 provides an opportunity to collaborate with over 100,000 teachers and educators from around the world. Simple K-12 will provide various resources on many of topics and subjects.

Michele A. Paguaga C’13 has been awarded The Class of 2009 Nicole M. Spencer Memorial Scholarship.  The scholarship is named for Nicole Spencer, an English education major at the Mount, who was tragically killed in June 2008 in an auto accident.  Her family and friends have established this memorial scholarship in her honor. 

Michele is an elementary education major with an intended minor in English. She volunteers in after school programs at her Catholic elementary school and as a Big Sister in the Young Women’s Leadership Program. Michele works as a writing center tutor and a tutor on campus for Mount students. She has a passion for education, working with children, and serving others.