Nov. 28, 2007

Williamsburg, KY - An education is one of the most valuable gifts that still exist today. Teachers around the world continue to inspire children every day, opening many young eyes and minds to a different way of seeing and thinking about life. Senior Christina Stodghill is no exception.

 

A member of the University of the Cumberlands' Cross Country and Track teams, Stodghill values the importance of an education and hopes to one day teach her own set of students in the classroom. She has already made great steps toward her dream by volunteering at a local elementary school and tutoring her fellow UC classmates.

 

Stodghill volunteered her time during the summer months to Eastview Elementary School in Owensboro, Kentucky, helping all of the teachers to get their rooms ready for the upcoming school year. She made numerous copies for the teachers, laminated important documents and posters, and cut out various projects for the students to use during their lessons. Stodghill also volunteered during the annual "Open House" to kick off the beginning of the school year. "I passed out folders to all of the parents and showed the students where all of their classrooms would be located during the school year," comments Stodghill.

 

With early morning and afternoon practices for cross country and a full course load of subjects during the school year, Stodghill still finds time to practice what she loves, teaching others. Graduating in May 2008, Stodghill is majoring in English Secondary Education, as well as a minor in Spanish teaching. During the 2006-2007 school year, she tutored freshman students in English Composition I, helping them with research papers and their writing ability. "I enjoyed following up with the students on the grades they had received on their papers," adds Stodghill. "It was great to see them succeed and how their coaches and teachers were proud of them."

 

So far this school year, Stodghill has been working with a student in Elementary Spanish. "I help her prepare for her exams and review the information she has learned in class," states Stodghill. "I try to explain the concepts that she does not understand from the class lectures in a way that makes sense to her."

 

Stodghill is also involved in numerous other activities on campus. She is a member of both the National English and Spanish Honors Societies, the membership chair of the Kentucky Educators Association (KEA), a Golden Heart recipient for the 2006 cross country season, and the 2007 English Award recipient.

 

"I have really enjoyed tutoring in English and Spanish because these are the subjects that I will teach later in life," explains Stodghill. "I have come to realize that the statement is true about learning the material when you are forced to apply it and explain it to others."

 

Even though most individuals do not enjoy receiving homework or taking exams, teachers should never be taken for granted. Everyone is entitled to an education, and teachers are able to open that door. It is left up to us whether we decide to step through.