June 3, 2015
Passing on a love of education Recipes
Grilling with Heart
Around Town
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Vintage Bliss Market
Family of former Ferguson-Florissant teacher establishes scholarship in her name By Sara Hardin The spring season is filled to the brim with celebration as graduates are turning their tassels and receiving their longawaited diplomas and degrees. Among those celebrating is the family of the late Marguerite Bieler Notorangelo, as the first recipient of the scholarship established in her name graduates from Harris Stowe University. “My mother taught in Ferguson-Florissant for many years. She loved teaching,” said Marge Greenwald, daughter of Notorangelo. “Right before she died, dad had talked about doing the scholarship, and he funded it for $25,000 for a student who was going to Harris Stowe to be an education major.” The scholarship was established and awarded to its first recipient, Michael Watts, in 2010. Watts graduated from McCleur North that year with intentions to attend Harris Stowe in pursuit of a degree in education. He graduated from the university this spring. “When the scholarship was established, he had already decided that he wanted to teach,” said Greenwald. “When we went through the applications he seemed to fit the bill.” Notorangelo was able to be present for Watts’ awarding of the scholarship before she passed away in November of 2010. Watts reflected on his initial encounter with Notorangelo, saying that she treated him to lunch and spoke with him about his motivations behind being an educator.
“Mrs. Notorangelo told me that when they looked through all of the candidates, she felt that I had similar views to what she always strived for in her own teaching. She thought that I had a sweet and nurturing kind of spirit.” Greenwald explained that Watts’ motives to teach as expressed through his application for the scholarship made him a favorable contender as the recipient. The family believed that awarding the scholarship to a student who displayed a passion for education would be the most appropriate way to honor and echo Notorangelo’s own passion. “We thought it was a nice way to honor my mom who had such a passion for teaching, and a good way to give back to those who want to teach as well,” said Greenwald. Now that Watts has completed his college education, he hopes to find a teaching position within the St. Louis Public School District. During his search, his motivations to be an influential educator drive him forward. “I want to inspire the youth; not only African American males and females, but all cultures,” said Watts. “I have a passion for working with youth, and I think the high school and middle school levels are kind of the transitioning years when kinds are trying to figure out what they want to do. It’s when they start to realize they need to find themselves and find their way in the world. I figure as a teacher, I’ll be in a great position to help
mentor or inspire young people through those difficult transitions.” Watts explained that his mother, who was a long-time educator and now works as a supervisor, was a huge inspiration behind his decision to go into the educational field. His experience studying at Harris Stowe further solidified his motivations by teaching him effective classroom management strategies and a variety of teaching philosophies. Working with students during his student teaching experience was especially enlightening, Watts said. See EDUCATION page 2
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