Three recent UTC School of Education graduates are being recognized early in their careers for the influence they are already making in Tennessee classrooms. Lauren Cardenas, Reagan Lowrie and Madisson Mantooth have each been named Novice Teacher of the Year recipients in their respective school districts, an honor that recognizes full-time teachers in their first three years in the classroom who demonstrate excellence in instruction, professionalism and student engagement.
Surprise gift hits the right note for recent UTC graduate
A heartwarming surprise awaited UTC alum Lauren Cardenas when she walked into her DuPont Elementary School music room on Friday, Feb. 28. Members of UTC’s Music Educators Social Society student organization, accompanied by the group’s faculty advisor—Associate Professor Ali Allerton—had come to DuPont to present her with more than $1,000 raised to support her classroom. The visit, staged under the pretense of observing her in the school, left Cardenas both shocked and overjoyed as she accepted the generous gift.