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Recognizing Outstanding Students
Each year the faculty in the College of Education are tasked with the difficult decision of selecting one senior student from three different areas to represent the outstanding seniors we have throughout our programs. While normally these awards are conferred in person during our annual Celebration of Graduates, the inability to have an on-campus ceremony this year has instead given us the opportunity to recognize these students here. Below are our honorees along with edited excerpts from those who know of their great work.
JACK HALLINAN ’20
Edited excerpts from the submission by COE Instructor, Amy Bultinck
Jack Hallinan started his Spring 2020 student teaching semester at Brown Elementary School in the Brownsburg Community Schools, under the supervision of an Human Movement and Health Science Education (HMHSE) alum, Macy McGoun ’09. He worked with students from kindergarten through 5th grades in the physical education setting. Watching Jack work with the elementary students was like watching a bird find its wings. He fit in perfectly and truly connected with students to make activities fun while still incorporating learning. He even stepped out of his comfort zone to strap on some skates for their roller-skating unit.
Jack’s second student teaching placement was at Pike High School in the health and physical education settings. Jack was excited for this placement as he was returning to a familiar setting. He spent the fall semester in a practicum working with Pike students as a part of the HMHSE Methods course. Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic hit, and Jack was only able to spend two days face-to-face with the students. He was still very active throughout the semester, remotely participating in corporation and department meetings and diligently working with his supervising teachers to develop effective online experiences for his students. This experience was not necessarily what he was trained to handle, but Jack has stepped up to work to provide his students with encouragement and motivation through all of these challenging times.
These qualities are what make up the precious hearts of all of our favorite teachers.
OUTSTANDING SECONDARY STUDENT TEACHING AWARD
PATRICK CONWAY ’20
Edited excerpts from the submission by Zionsville West Cooperating Teacher, Stacey Behrens
I had the great pleasure of working with Patrick Conway as his cooperating teacher for his middle school placement of student teaching at Zionsville West Middle School, and I am grateful I had the opportunity to partner with such a competent and conscientious individual.
The closure of school due to the COVID-19 virus created an unprecedented teaching experience. Mr. Conway had been in the Z’West classroom for only four short days when there was an immediate shift to e-instruction. This situation was overwhelming to experienced teachers, but Mr. Conway kept his cool and handled it in stride.
Patrick demonstrated that he embraced the flexibility necessary for a successful teaching career as he adjusted pace of instruction and also created differentiated tiers for ability levels and various levels of technology access. His
efforts to add a personalized touch to the online learning environment was greatly appreciated by students and parents.
While his students clearly appreciated his warmth and good sense of humor, they also respected him for his knowledge and professional manner. Mr. Conway’s pleasant personality and mature confidence allow him to interact easily with students, colleagues, and administrators. He showed great classroom management while he was in the physical classroom and also while conducting class online.
I was truly honored to have the opportunity to collaborate with an exceptionally well-prepared student teacher during this time. I would love to have the privilege of teaching next door to Mr. Conway in the future.
OUTSTANDING ELEMENTARY STUDENT TEACHING AWARD
LAUREN BOSWELL ’20
Edit excerpts from the submission by Drs. Catherine Pangan and Arthur Hochman
During the Fall 2019 semester, Lauren Boswell represented Butler in New York City by student teaching under the guidance of two outstanding teachers at P.S. 008. Not only did Lauren receive almost all fours from both cooperating teachers in her final evaluation, her teaching practice was consistently student focused and a “level above” expectations.
From using a myriad of materials representing the abilities, cultures, race, and identity of her classroom to designing lessons specifically tailored to fit individual needs, Lauren engaged with diversity and similarity like a seasoned teacher. Further, Lauren jumped in without hesitation to a new school, new city, and new living environment with the openness and drive for collaboration that makes her a model for others.
The ability for professional theory, practice, and collaboration really stood out during an observation of a “complicated” multi-step math problem. She consistently checked for understanding, explained step by step in a student friendly way, and after she modeled, she brought the students up to participate with her. She could have been a poster child for the Optimal Learning Model.
Lauren truly represents what it means to be an outstanding educator.
