Paige Imbraguglio

The university’s College of Education highlighted a student teacher that exemplified dedication to the skills and values held within their field of work.

Elementary student teacher Paige Imbraguglio was awarded the Outstanding Elementary Education Student Teacher Award, honoring her hard work and enthusiasm.

“The purpose of receiving the Outstanding Elementary Student Teacher Award was to demonstrate my ability to plan an appropriate sequence of instruction based on a unit pre-assessment, five lesson plans for the week, formative and summative data that documented student learning and a reflection on student achievement and possible changes in teaching that might have impacted student learning better,” said Imbraguglio. “In order to even run for the Outstanding Elementary Student Teacher Award, I first had to be nominated by my university supervisor. After being nominated, I had to submit an autobiography, create a week long unit, submit a unit assessment plan, submit a videotape of me teaching one of my lessons and submit a reflection of my teaching.”

Imbraguglio feels her role as a teacher is not only to be an instructor but also a guide for students to be well-rounded individuals.

“My role as a teacher is to strive to create a secure, engaging and interactive environment where my students can grow and mature emotionally, physically and socially,” said Imbraguglio. “My ultimate goal is to provide all students with a positive classroom community so that each student is valued and respected.  My students will know that it is OK to make mistakes, be creative and use their imagination. I will be a strong role model for my students by being the best person I can be. Every child comes into a class with hopes and dreams of becoming something great, and as their teacher, it is my job to get them there.”

Imbraguglio has an extensive resume in working with young students providing her with the skills and experiences which she feels have assisted her in being able to better work with children in the classroom.

“I have been around children my whole life,” said Imbraguglio. “I started babysitting when I was 13 years old. When I was a freshman in college, I started working at a Bright Horizons Family Solutions, which is the daycare at North Oaks Hospital. I was also a yearlong Residency Pilot Program student teacher in a third grade Reading and English classroom at O.W. Dillon Leadership Academy. At my school site, I assisted with the yoga club and attended faculty meetings, parent conferences, IEP meetings and professional developments. I also taught art in the after school program to third, fourth, fifth and sixth graders. Being a member of the Southern Early Childhood Association, Louisiana Early Childhood Association and Student-led Early Childhood Association also helped lead me to receiving the award.”

Assistant Professor Dr. Debra Hailey expresses that she has personally witnessed Imbraguglio’s positivity and willingness to learn and how these qualities within Imbraguglio have aided her in being successful.

“I have seen many indications of dedication to her chosen profession, but one of the things that stands out most for me is her willingness to take advantage of every opportunity for learning,” said Hailey. “I think that excitement and exuberance are two qualities that allow her to excel in early childhood education. Many times I have heard her say, ‘Let’s do it’ or ‘I am up for it.’  ‘What do we need to do to make that happen?’ She is a ready, willing, positiveteam member.   Another quality that works in alignment with her excitement and exuberance is her persistence. Once she gets an idea in her head and begins the planning process, she sticks with it to the end. That may mean communicating with others, asking questions, learning procedures or determining protocol, but whatever it takes to see a project or idea through to fruition, she is persistent in following through to make it happen.”

Imbraguglio will be teaching in Kentwood, LA and wants to return to the university.

“I will be a kindergarten teacher at O.W. Dillon Leadership Academy in Kentwood, LA for the 2017-2018 school year,” said Imbraguglio. “I also plan on furthering my education by getting a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Southeastern in the near future.”

For Imbraguglio, she feels teaching children at the elementary school level is important because young students are learning not only about the world around them but also about themselves.

“I chose the career path of teaching so that I can support children to learn about their strengths and their weakness so that they continue to make discoveries about themselves, and from this they will truly be able to accomplish whatever it is they set their minds to,” said Imbragulgio. “Children are unique and different in their own way which is why teaching is such a truly inspiring and rewarding opportunity and career. Children who receive the right kind of motivation and encouragement at an early age will be more likely to be creative and adventurous learners. I want to create challenging, engaging activities so that all students are excited to learn because if children are not having fun, interested or invested in what is being taught, they are not learning to their fullest potential.”