The Arkansas Tech University Department of Teaching and Educational Leadership hosted a pinning ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 6, for the 69 ATU elementary education, middle level education, secondary education and Master of Arts in Teaching students who are completing their graduation requirements during the fall 2023 semester.
Capri Salaam, 2023 Arkansas teacher of the year, served as guest speaker for the ceremony. Since taking office as teacher of the year on July 1, Salaam has traveled the state representing teachers and promoting her platform. Her year-long focus is on improving the mental health of students and ongoing social-emotional learning.
A 2016 ATU graduate with a Master of Arts in Teaching degree and an emphasis in middle school education, Salaam has served as a multi-classroom lead teacher in the North Little Rock School District since 2018. She teaches and provides support in instructional practices and classroom management for her fellow teachers at North Little Rock Middle School.
Pinning ceremony participants learned about teacher licensure from Dr. David Bell, ATU director of educator licensure and support services and professor of curriculum and instruction. Samantha Meeks, ATU coordinator of graduate recruitment, told the audience about opportunities for continued study in education at Arkansas Tech.
Jerry the Bulldog, ATU campus ambassador, made an appearance to help wish the graduates well in their future endeavors.
Below are the names of the Arkansas Tech students who earned pins from the ATU Department of Teaching and Educational Leadership at the conclusion of the fall 2023 semester:
Elementary Education
Melody Beasley
Kinsey Boone
Grace Carpenter
Savannah Cessna
Caitlyn Deal
Jackeline Delgado
Faith Ebling
Avery Farmer
Raelynn Hall
Rachel Harrington
Madison Howerton
Abbe Key
Taylor Lawrence
Adria Lindemann
Michaela Owens
Emily Qualls
Noelia Romero-Lopez
Charleen Sawin
Kyndal Smith
Heaven Weathers
Mollie Wisner
Danya Woodruff-Rogers
Middle Level Education
Emily Bolen
Ofelia Diaz
Secondary Education
Tyler Aaron
Preston Abbott
Briya Alford
Bennett Ashlock
Caleb Ball
Paola Botello
Bailey Buffington
Ethan Buggar
Dakota Burkhart
Jonathan Counts
Grace Davis
Alyssa Ellis
Blake Garrett
Kenia Gomez
Ashley Green
Colton Grimes
Colton Guill
Sanders Hilburn
Angie Hinson
Hunter Huffman
Jordan Johnson
Zontray Kendall
Krystal Kendrick
Angel Keohacksa
Zakkary Knoerr
Matthew Luerssen
Kassie Mayberry
Lester Menjivar
Kourtney Minton
Chandler Owen
Erica Parsons
Greggory Patton
Sean Perdue
Denisse Reyes
Leah Shellnut
Amaan Scott
Allison Spears
Harold Stover
Madison Terry
Master of Arts in Teaching
Taylor Bain
Jennifer Cozens
William Foust
Luke Hales
Wyn Maxwell
Vanessa Polifroni
Learn more about the ATU Department of Teaching and Educational Leadership at www.atu.edu/tel/index.php.
