Teaching Generations

THIS IS LEADERSHIP . TEACHING GENERATIONS

EARLY MATH

Logan Carmody ’20 is studying to become a math teacher . “I have been blessed to have many great teachers who empowered and encouraged me . I’m excited to not only show my students the beauty of mathematics but also to help develop their character and have a part in guiding the future leaders of our world,” she said . During summer 2019, Logan completed faculty-guided research for her math thesis . “Early math, just like early childhood literacy, is so important in the cognitive development and social ability of a child,” she said . Her research examines the relationship between spatial ability and patterning skills in preschool students, with a focus on the role of gender .

SPECIAL EDUCATION

Mollie Rutledge ’14 is a special education teacher at Abingdon High School in Washington County, VA . Her students are 15-21-years-old and have severe-profound disabilities and complex medical needs . Mollie believes deeply in her students, however, and delights in helping them demonstrate all that they can accomplish . To date, Mollie's proudest moment in the classroom was helping a 15-year-old student take her first independent steps. Mollie, who spoke about at this year’s Distinguished President’s Trust Dinner about her experiences in the classroom, encouraged the audience to remember, “Every kid can learn, just not the same way or on the same day . ”

"I’m excited to not only show my students the beauty of mathematics but also to help develop their character and have a part in guiding the future leaders of our world."

Logan Carmody ’20

After visiting Mountain Mission School (MMS) in Grundy, VA during the Roan Appalachian Trek in the spring of 2018, Mandy Nutter ’19 was inspired to return during the summer and volunteer with MMS, which is a “home, church and school to more than 200 kids in need .” Having graduated in May 2019 with a degree in Biology, Mandy is currently teaching middle school science and math and a leadership course at MMS while she applies to medical school . Inspired by the Roan Impact Focus, Casey Bonnell ’22 volunteered more than 70 hours reading to and caring for children at Hospitots during 2018-19 . Hospitots is a childcare center co-located with Johnson City Medical Center . As an aspiring physician, Casey was able to serve the community by helping with early childhood literacy and gain professional development experience in proximity to a medical setting .

PARENTING

Sometimes teaching does not come in a formal classroom setting but is instead accomplished in the daily life of a family . Sabrina Prosser ’10 is a stayat-home mom to three children . She says she applies lessons from the Roan in teaching her children to lead . “Instilling leadership qualities in my children is one of my greatest priorities,” Sabrina said . “My goal is to teach them to be thinkers who know how to find information and implement it independently . My husband and I encourage our kids to embrace challenges and exhaust all options before coming to us with issues . Within our household, we teach them that respect is earned and not to be taken for granted . Our children are "Army brats" and have learned to be adaptable and make the best of all situations . This quality draws other people to them . During my time as a Roan Scholar, resiliency and adaptability were two skills that I really worked to develop and have implemented those qualities into my household as a mom . ”