Kristina Coons '26

Kristina Coons ’26 has been awarded a spring 2026 Hattie M. Strong Scholarship by the Watson College of Education. She will graduate in May with a degree in special education, adapted curriculum concentration, and a minor in applied behavior analysis.

A military child, Coons spent much of her childhood in Louisiana and Jacksonville, North Carolina. She considers Louisiana her home and says her high school experience helped shape her career path.

While assisting in a specially designed academics classroom, she worked with students developing social and communication skills—an experience that inspired her to pursue teaching.

“While in this classroom I learned a  lot about this community and fell in love with helping this community,” she said. “I also learned how hard it is to find good teachers in this specialty field. I want to become a teacher who helps to create inclusive schools and classrooms and makes sure students have the support and experiences they deserve.”

Coons said she chose UNCW’s Watson College of Education based on her sister’s positive experience and the opportunity to pursue a minor in applied behavior analysis.

“Throughout my time at UNCW, I’ve had many opportunities to work in classrooms alongside experienced teachers,” she said. “I’ve been able to apply what I’m learning in my courses, and to actually see and practice what I’m learning in the classroom.”

She also credits faculty support as a key part of her experience.

“My professors have been supportive and always willing to help me work through challenges,” she said. “Dr. Richter, Dr. Stocker and the whole special education faculty are so helpful and will do whatever they can to provide the best experience for their students.”

Coons is completing her internship at Williston Middle School and said the scholarship has made a significant impact during her final semester.

“The Hattie M. Strong scholarship means the world to me,” she said. “I have always had a job in college, but this semester is one of the most important as I am getting so much experience through internship as well as completing all of my licensure requirements. With this scholarship I do not have to work while completing these important last steps before officially becoming a teacher. That has made a big difference in my growth and helped me get the best experience out of my internship.”

After graduation, Coons plans to teach in a specially designed academics classroom. Long term, she hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in applied behavior analysis and work as a board certified behavior analyst in a clinical setting.

Outside of school, she enjoys hiking, trail running, playing video games and watching streaming series.

About the Hattie M. Strong Scholarship Awards

The Hattie M. Strong Foundation has helped aspiring students achieve a college degree since 1928. Today, HMSF’s primary activity is to provide scholarships for students enrolled in teacher training programs at partnering institutions to help ease financial pressures during the full-time student teaching semester.

The Watson College of Education became a HMSF partner in 2013, joining a select group of institutions across the country. Through the partnership, WCE awarded four $5,000 scholarships to teacher interns for the Spring 2026 semester.