The Patterson Family Foundation funds the James Patterson Teacher Education Scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students who are studying education and are committed to teaching careers. The scholarship covers tuition and related expenses. Recipients are selected based on their potential to become leaders in education.
Patterson, author of the best-selling Alex Cross and Women's Murder Club novels, first funded scholarships in the university's Reich College of Education in June 2012.
For the Patterson Scholars, this scholarship has turned a dream of going to college into a reality.
We are honored to have the Patterson Scholars as a part of the Reich College of Education’s Appalachian Community of Education Scholars program (ACES).
Meet these Patterson Scholars who plan to become tomorrow's teachers:
Leo Fowell
Leo is an Elementary Education major from Charlotte, North Carolina. She is anticipated to graduate in May 2024.
Why did you choose Appalachian?
I chose Appalachian for the friendly and homey feel and sense of community along with the fact it is one of the best for teaching.
Who is your teacher inspiration and why?
My cousin Sam. She teaches English at an orphanage in Thailand and she has the sweetest heart. I love her to bits. She's always inspired me to do what she does.
What is your "teachosophy"?
Students learn best when they are comfortable; be what makes them feel comfortable, safe, loved, seen, and heard every day.
Jasmine Garcia
Jasmine is a Spanish education major from Roaring River, North Carolina. She is anticipated to graduate in May 2022.
Why did you choose Appalachian?
I chose Appalachian because of its education program, its passion for equity among all students regardless of race, religion, and sexual orientation, and its beautiful location.
Who is your teacher inspiration and why?
My teacher inspiration is my high school chorus teacher, Mrs. Beth Poplin. She is an Appalachian alumna and one of the best teachers I've ever had. She inspired me to chase my dreams and not to worry about people's unrealistic expectations of me. She is the reason I want to be an educator and inspire future leaders to be as inclusive and kind as possible.
What is your "teachosophy"?
My "teachosophy" is aspire to inspire. In and outside of the classroom, I want to elicit creativity and mindfulness among my students and my coworkers.
Jean Carlos Garcia Reyes ’20
Jean Carlos is a graduate student in the reading education program from Winston Salem, North Carolina. He completed his B.S. in elementary education in December 2020.
Why did you choose Appalachian?
I chose Appalachian because it is "First for Teaching". I noticed that Appalachian offered a unique hands-on experience that you can’t find anywhere else. The second I stepped foot on this campus, I knew this would become my home away from home.
Who is your teacher inspiration and why?
My mom is my teacher inspiration. She was a teacher herself not so long ago. She has always had a passion for teaching and so do I. She helped me realize my passion for teaching. I know that I will enjoy waking up each morning to see my students in the classroom. I aspire to serve as a role model to my students. Thanks to my mom, she has helped me realize my goal of becoming a teacher.
What is your "teachosophy"?
Establishing a relationship with each one of my students to educate them effectively and providing a safe space for all of my students are major components of my teachosophy.
Nicole Hernandez
Nicole is a history secondary education major from Mount Airy, North Carolina. She is anticipated to graduate in May 2021.
Why did you choose Appalachian?
Appalachian State has the best education program and I want to be the best teacher possible and for this I need to learn from the best.
Who is your teacher inspiration and why?
My teacher inspiration is my 6th grade English and Social Studies teacher, Mrs. Beverly Hamilton. She taught me that I will always be loved and that I am special in every way. She always cared for all of her students and made sure to know what was going on in their personal lives so that they could perform to best abilities.
What is your "teachosophy"?
All students deserve to feel safe no matter what their differences and it is a teacher’s job to serve as support.
Diego Hernandez Guillen
Diego is a Spanish education major from Mount Airy, North Carolina. He is anticipated to graduate in December 2021.
Why did you choose Appalachian?
The Reich College of Education at Appalachian State University provided various resources and opportunities to excess as a future educator, allowing involvement in the surrounding schools and promoting our leadership skills through professional developments. Appalachian instantly felt like the place where I would grow and prosper.
Who is your teacher inspiration and why?
My teacher inspiration was my Spanish college instructor. She expressed my language and culture in a way that I never understood it before. It brought me back to my roots and inspired me to become a Spanish education major. I want my future students to understand where I come from and how they can also relate to it.
What is your "teachosophy"?
Strive for improvement, not excellence.
Hunter Koch ’20
Hunter is an art education and global studies major from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She graduated in December 2020.
Why did you choose Appalachian?
I chose Appalachian because of the high quality of academic excellence, the beautiful campus and its surroundings, and the folks at the college of education that already made me feel as if I was at home.
Who is your teacher inspiration and why?
My high school art teacher, Leslie Burwell, was a huge inspiration to me as she taught me all 4 years of high school. She opened the door to my artistic expression and propelled me to spread my art far and wide. It is because of her that I want to continue her "legacy" and return to my county as an art educator.
What is your "teachosophy"?
I believe that my responsibility as a future art educator is to encourage students to consider, explore, and confront the cultural striations that envelop the process of artmaking itself. I will cultivate the comfort, exploration, and solace that exist in the undulating energy present in the art classroom. My destiny is to instill roots of interdisciplinary thought and practice by developing connections for students and collaborating with them to achieve goals they deem impossible, additionally, as a means to foster personal growth and global awareness.
Candace Myers
Candace is an English secondary education major from High Point, North Carolina. She is anticipated to graduate in December 2021.
Why did you choose Appalachian?
I chose Appalachian because of its excellent teacher education program and the beautiful views of the mountains.
Who is your teacher inspiration and why?
The original reason I decided to become a teacher was because of my seventh grade English teacher, Mrs. Brenda Williams. She believed in me and could raise my spirits when no one else could. She also fueled my passion for English, through discussing books we liked and through her amazing ability of storytelling.
I'd also say my high school English teacher, Mrs. Emily Callicutt, because she supported me through so many difficult things, including my dad's cancer diagnosis/battle during my sophomore year. She always had an open mind/heart and her favorite saying was "I hear you. I see you. I love you," which really resonated with me.
Both of these teachers showed me both kindness and grace, which I can only hope to strive for in my future classroom.
What is your "teachosophy"?
I've always had this saying, that "If I don't pick up the broken shells, who else will?" It refers to a story from when I was younger, and I loved to collect broken seashells at the beach. My mom asked me one day why I did that, and my response was the quote above. I think that this applies to teaching as well, because if we don't try to help those who are most vulnerable, or who are struggling, then who else will?
Madison Puckett
Madison is a birth-kindergarten education major from Banner Elk, North Carolina. She is anticipated to graduate in May 2024.
Why did you choose Appalachian?
I chose Appalachian because it is a great school for teaching.
Who is your teacher inspiration and why?
Jill Rogers and Justin Carver. They have both supported me in everything that I have wanted to do and helped make get me on my way to becoming a teacher, and for that I will be forever thankful. I love them both very much.
What is your "teachosophy"?
No one else can be you, so you might as well fill your own shoes.
Matthew Ethan Reep
Matthew is a Special Education major from Newland, North Carolina. He is anticipated to graduate in May 2024.
Why did you choose Appalachian?
I chose Appalachian because it has one of the best teacher education programs in the nation and a strong sense of community.
Who is your teacher inspiration and why?
My teacher inspiration is my seventh and eighth grade social studies teacher. I look up to him because of his passion for what he teaches. I also admire how he relates it to personal stories in simple but profound ways.
What is your "teachosophy"?
Teach what you love and you will teach others to love it.
Lauren Rowe
Lauren is an English education major from Huntersville, North Carolina. She is anticipated to graduate in May 2022.
Why did you choose Appalachian?
I chose Appalachian for the atmosphere. You will never feel as welcome on a college campus as you do at Appalachian!
Who is your teacher inspiration and why?
My high school English teacher and yearbook advisor, Ms. Nance. She went beyond the expectations of being a teacher in everything that she did. I would not be where I am today without her.
What is your "teachosophy"?
It isn't our job to solely teach content. Teaching confidence, potential, and love is just as important as English and math, if not more.
Lexi Stone ’20
Lexi is a graduate student in special education program from Lumberton, North Carolina. She completed her B.S. in special education in May 2020.
Why did you choose Appalachian?
I chose Appalachian because I love the community of Boone, the mountains, and I knew this would be the best teacher preparation program for me.
Who is your teacher inspiration and why?
My AP U.S. History teacher in eleventh grade taught me how important it is to create relationships with your students and treat every student equally, no matter what happened in class the day before.
What is your "teachosophy"?
Every single child deserves to learn and exceed their potential, no matter their abilities or background. We are not there to label or determine a student's success, rather we are there to foster it and create an environment to help them flourish.
Jennifer Vera Osornio
Jennifer is an elementary education major from Mt. Airy, North Carolina. She is anticipated to graduate in December 2022.
Why did you choose Appalachian?
I chose Appalachian because of the opportunities that the school offers to education majors.
Who is your teacher inspiration and why?
My teacher inspiration is my senior year English teacher because she was easy to talk to about anything, and I always knew that if I needed help with anything I could go to her.
What is your "teachosophy"?
Embrace individuality and create a space where students feel welcome and safe to be themselves.
Patterson Scholars
