The Patterson Family Foundation funds the James Patterson Teacher Education Scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students that 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 our Appalachian Community of Education Scholars (ACES).
Meet these Patterson Scholars who plan to become tomorrow's teachers:
Jasmine Garcia
Jasmine is a Spanish education major from Roaring River, North Carolina. She is anticipated to graduate 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 Mrs. Beth Poplin who is currently the choral director at East Wilkes High School. I was her student from sixth to twelfth grade and she has always shown a special interest in me. When I transferred to East Wilkes Middle School she welcomed me into the choral program with open arms and never stopped welcoming me into her life after that. She is passionate about music, her faith, and making every student reach their full potential. She made me believe in myself when I was at my lowest and never stopped supporting me. I will always be very appreciative for all she's done for me, and she will always be my number one inspiration.
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.
Nicole Hernandez
Nicole is a history secondary education major from Mount Airy, North Carolina. She is anticipated to graduate 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 December 2021.
Why did you choose Appalachian?
Appalachian provided me with more opportunities as an education major to excess and improve as a future leader in the classroom.
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.
Audrey Jones
Audrey is a middle grades education major from Blacksburg, Virginia. She is anticipated to graduate May 2020.
Why did you choose Appalachian?
I chose Appalachian because when I visited the first time, I felt an abundance of peace when I stepped out of my car and onto campus. As I walked into the College of Education, I finally believed that I was meant to teach and to spend my life as an educator. The philosophy of the COE, the programs of study here, and the overall atmosphere made Appalachian feel like home before I even moved here. Out of all of the colleges I visited and applied to, this was (and still is) the only one where I felt valued as a person, a student, and a future educator/leader. Now that I've been here for almost two years, I would make the same decision one hundred times over.
Who is your teacher inspiration and why?
I had fairly okay elementary school teachers, and the one person who believed in me enough and encouraged me to become an elementary school teacher myself was my senior year VA and National Government teacher. Ms. Stevens knew I was going between two different possible career paths: biomedical engineering and teaching. As I was in the process of making my college decision, I began to observe my own teachers and reflect on their teaching strategies, the care they had for their students, and searched for their passions for education each day. In Ms. Stevens' class, I didn't have to look far to see that she was passionate and in love with teaching, even on the days when we weren't on our A-game. She got to know us as people first before she knew us as students. She stayed after class to help out, recommended books to us, and went out of her way to make VA and National Government a phenomenal, rewarding class. She is the teacher who pushed us all when we needed it and supported us in whatever college path we chose. She made senior year a little less stressful and made sure to congratulate each one of us at graduation. Her classroom became a community no matter who walked in the door--she made us all feel valued. She took the time to listen as I stressed about what to do and finally she said, "I think you know what you're called to do. You love students too much to not spend every day with them."
What is your "teachosophy"?
My teachosophy is two-fold: 1) to do everything within my capabilities to make the environment of my classroom safe, full of love, and full of lifelong learners, and 2) empower my students to be kind, compassionate, critical-thinking, and problem-solving individuals within the four walls of my classroom so they can impact the world in a positive light.
My students come first in my mind, not their grades on paper or how well they can memorize formulas or spelling words. They are children before they are students.
Hunter Koch
Hunter is an art education and global studies major from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She is anticipated to graduate 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 December 2021.
Why did you choose Appalachian?
I chose Appalachian because of its dedication and focus on teacher education and because of my passion for education, I decided that Appalachian was the best choice for me.
Who is your teacher inspiration and why?
Well, there are two teachers that come to mind when asked this question. The first would be my seventh grade English and social studies teacher, Mrs. Williams. I was very shy at the time and Mrs. Williams encouraged me to get out of my "shell" and eventually inspired me to become a teacher. The second teacher that comes to mind was my ninth and tenth grade English teacher, Mrs. Callicutt, who supported me throughout my high school years and with whom I still keep in contact.
What is your "teachosophy"?
My teachosophy would definitely be love comes first. Without love, especially in the education world, it's hard to do much of anything. As teachers, we not only need to have love for our jobs but more importantly, love for our students. I want my students to know that I love them and support them, just like my teachers did for me.
Adam Ortega
Adam is an English education and Spanish education major from Wilmington, North Carolina. He is anticipated to graduate May 2020.
Why did you choose Appalachian?
the mountain were calling, i had to go
Who is your teacher inspiration and why?
Ms Dobkin was my spanish for native speakers teacher. After taking her class we became close and I began to tutor ESL students and thus my affinity for spanish teaching spanish came about.
What is your "teachosophy"?
English: To inspire students to enjoy literature and reading as much as I do.
Spanish: To broaden students perspective to the Spanish language and explore its culture.
Jean Carlos Garcia Reyes
Jean Carlos is an elementary education major from Winston Salem, North Carolina. He is anticipated to graduate 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"?
My "teachosophy" is to reach each child. Establishing a relationship with my future students is at the top of my list of goals. I want to make sure each student is getting that one-on-one experience they deserve. Teaching the curriculum is extremely important but without first establishing a relationship it will be difficult to reach each student.
Lauren Rowe
Lauren is an English education major from Huntersville, North Carolina. She is anticipated to graduate May 2022.
Why did you choose Appalachian?
I chose Appalachian because of the people! When I arrived here on Scholar's Day, I had never felt more welcomed and appreciated, just for being here! Everyone was unbelievably excited that all of the Scholars were here. It was an amazing environment to be received into.
Who is your teacher inspiration and why?
My 9th grade English teacher, who then became my yearbook advisor for the following three years. Ms. Nance is the main reason I want to be a teacher, she gave me the strength to know that I am worth it, and if I want the world, it's mine to take.
What is your "teachosophy"?
"Believe in your infinite potential. Your only limitations are those you set upon yourself"
― Roy T. Bennett
Lauren “Lexi” Stone
Lexi is a special education major from Lumberton, North Carolina. She is anticipated to graduate May 2020.
Why did you choose Appalachian?
Not only is Boone one of the most beautiful places on the east coast, Appalachian has, in my opinion, the best teacher preparation program in North Carolina. This is only place I applied because I knew I was supposed to be here and I have yet to regret that decision. The professors at App care about you beyond just being a student and really want to help you reach your goals. So far, 95% of my professors have known my name so that says something.
Who is your teacher inspiration and why?
My AP US History and Teacher Cadets teacher; she cared so much about every student and never held grudges against anyone. She had no biases and pushed every person in the class to do their absolute best. She wanted to help you learn the material and not focus so much on "getting you" with her tests. She made actual relationships with her students and I always knew she wanted the best for me.
What is your "teachosophy"?
Since I am in Special Education, I feel very strongly about about putting the student before the disability. In my future classroom I will push my students beyond their limitations and help them reach their full potential. A lot of times, people try to limit those with disabilities and shelter them. I believe in treating all children equally and holding them up to the same standards(to a certain extent of course).
Matthew Thifault
Matthew is a special education major from Miami, Florida. He is anticipated to graduate May 2020.
Why did you choose Appalachian?
I really liked the community here and the many opportunities offered to work with kids. Every semester from my sophomore year on I will be working with kids. The hands on experience is what makes the education program so real to me.
Who is your teacher inspiration and why?
I did not have good teachers throughout my K-12 experience I was more inspired by the students in my classes who persevered and worked even harder when they had bad teachers. Now at Appalachian, I have had some good professors and my favorite thing they do is model what they teach. They aren't hypocritical and this is something I respect them very much for.
What is your "teachosophy"?
I believe education is the great equalizer in society and its one of the only things that can break the pattern of brokenness in a family or region.
Savannah Washco
Savannah is an elementary education major from Hickory, North Carolina. She is anticipated to graduate May 2020.
Why did you choose Appalachian?
I chose Appalachian because of the community and home I knew I could foster here! I know that I am getting an incredible education here at Appalachian and I couldn't be more thankful that I am able to call this place home.
Who is your teacher inspiration and why?
Mr. Rice from my old high school. He inspired every student to do their best and was an incredible teacher. I learned more in his class than any other.
What is your "teachosophy"?
Advocate for your students and for yourself, so that we may all have the education we deserve.
Patterson Scholars
