Amy Blessing was recognized as WCE’s spring 2024 Roy E. Harkin Award recipient. The award, designed to recognize a public school teacher who has contributed to the preparation of future teachers by demonstrating excellence as a partnership teacher and/or site coordinator, was presented at WCE’s PDS Celebration on April 30. Blessing is a PDS partnership teacher and kindergarten teacher at Rachel Freeman School of Engineering.
WCE faculty members Hengameh Kermani and Katie Schlichting nominated Blessing for the honor. WCE’s Director of Professional Experiences Cindy Wiseman referenced the nomination when she presented the award. She said,
“Drs. Kermani and Schlichting shared, ‘Our first encounter with Amy dates back roughly ten years, when we discovered her classroom was designated as one of the 14 Pre-K and Kindergarten demonstration classrooms in North Carolina. These distinguished classrooms are selected for their exemplary practices and their provision of high-quality learning environments for young children and their families.’”
“Specifically, kindergarten demonstration classrooms showcase teachers' abilities to effectively balance curriculum standards, instructional methods, and assessment practices to meet young learners' developmental and academic needs,” they continued. “Every fall semester since then, we have taken the EYC students on a field trip to Amy's classroom for a half-day observation. This firsthand experience allows our students to witness developmentally appropriate practices in action and engage in meaningful dialogue with Amy about her practice.”
Drs. Kermani and Schlichting said they assign EYC interns interested in kindergarten education to Amy's class, not only because of her exceptional teaching methods but also due to her nurturing mentorship.
“Over the years, we have appreciated Amy's generosity in both hosting our interns and allowing our sophomore and junior students to visit her classroom,” they said.
“At UNCW, we are honored to work with a teacher of Ms. Blessings’ caliber and look forward to many future placements at Rachel Freeman,” Wiseman said.
The Roy E. Harkin award was established in 2008 in memory of Dr. Harkin, who served as chair of the Education Department at UNCW from 1976 to 1979 and as dean of the School of Education until 1991. This award is funded by the family and friends of Dr. Harkin in recognition of his commitment to partnerships with public schools and his appreciation for the contributions of public school educators to the preparation of prospective teachers. Nominations for the award are accepted from WCE’S 11 PDS partnership districts and charter schools.
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