Jeanne L. Diorio Memorial Fund 2017-18 Recipient
Jaclyn Lang '18 is on her way to fulfilling her dream of being an elementary and special education teacher.
Ever since she was a child, she enjoyed helping others, and she often reflects back on the teachers who had a lasting impression on her. Now Jaclyn strives each day to be that positive role model for her future students.
It means a lot to know someone sees potential in me to be the best educator I can be, all the while incorporating music and art into my classroom and allowing the students to have fun while still learning.
My experience as an elementary education major has been everything I could have expected. Being put in different classrooms around Hartford since freshman year has prepared me well and made me fall more in love with my future profession. This year alone has left a huge impact on me—and my future. I have seen first-hand the impact teachers have on their students both inside and outside of the classroom. This semester, I am doing an internship at Union Elementary School teaching in a fourth grade classroom. Being in this classroom each day has given me the opportunity to learn from my cooperating teacher and to work with the students in the classroom.
Some of my greatest accomplishments at the University of Hartford include accepting the Victoria Morse Young professional award last spring. It was a huge honor for me. I have been on the President's list each semester since freshman year, with three of those semesters earning a 4.0. Aside from academics, I joined a sorority, Delta Gamma, and have met some of the most amazing and supportive friends who helped make my journey here better than I could have imagined. My chapter strives to help others in the community and we can be seen attending walks, donating to others, and supporting University events. Being a part of Delta Gamma has given me a home away from home, and has helped me learn more about myself as well as teaching me to give more of myself to others. In addition, I am in two national honor societies, including Kappa Delta Pi, for which I am vice president.