Two students from the Department of Teacher Education were selected as exemplary teacher candidates in the Quest for Quality program in early October.
The Quest for Quality Teacher Preparation program recognizes state-wide commendable quality in teacher preparation in universities.
Seniors Kaitlyn Howell, education major from Rockwall, and Melanie Catteau, elementary education major from Denison, were two of the 33 students from around the state selected for the award.
“I am so excited and honored to receive this award,” Howell said. “I was not expecting to receive such an award and am truly excited. I simply put in all my effort into being the best teacher I can be so that I can live out my calling to the best of my ability.”
Both students knew they wanted to be teachers because of their love for children and feel it is their calling.
Howell said she most looks forward to building relationships with her students. She also wants the students to know they are loved and to feel God’s love through her actions. Howell is anxious to have her own classroom and to challenge her students in ways they have never been challenged.
Catteau said she has learned through the program that she is very interested in childhood development and creating an optimal learning environment for students.
“My goals for myself as a teacher are to keep up to date on research concerning best teaching practices,” Catteau said. “The teacher I’m placed with right now changes her practice based on her reflection, research and other teacher’s recommendations. My goal is to not become stagnant in my teaching but to continue to grow as a professional.”
Both students raved about the professors in the education department and said they plan on implementing many of the teaching strategies they have learned at ACU.
The education department is proud and excited that two of their own were selected as exemplary teacher candidates in the Quest for Quality program.
Catteau and Howell are excited for the future and the journey that becoming a teacher will take them on.
