For the third year in a row, Michigan State University will receive the NCTE Student Affiliate Excellence Award in recognition of its high standards of performance. MSU’s student organization for the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) is one of three student affiliates from across the nation to be honored with this award.
“Receiving this award for the third year in a row is a tremendous accomplishment,” said Associate Professor Emery Petchauer, who is the organization’s faculty advisor and holds appointments in both the College of Arts & Letters and College of Education. “Strong student leadership, fresh ideas, and passion for English teaching has kept this group going. More great things are to come!”
The student organization will receive the NCTE Student Affiliate Excellence Award at the NCTE Annual Convention in Baltimore, Maryland, on Thursday, November 21.
Receiving this award for the third year in a row is a tremendous accomplishment. Strong student leadership, fresh ideas, and passion for English teaching has kept this group going.
DR. EMERY PETCHAUER, MSU NCTE FACULTY ADVISOR
“Earning this award really shows how much hard work we put in and how much we truly care about this club,” said Maria Manolias, current MSU NCTE President and a sophomore English major. “Last year was my first year here on campus and NCTE was a big reason why I fell in love with MSU. Also, for us to be in such a renowned club at a university known for its education program really shows that we are prepared for our futures as English educators.”
Last year’s MSU NCTE President was Taylor Hall, who organized the Teacher Speaker Series with help from Manolias. The Teacher Speaker Series brought Jessyca Mathews, Michigan’s 2018 Secondary Education Teacher of the Year, to campus to talk about social justice in the English classroom.
“We are driven by inclusivity. We always include our members, new and old, and I think we’re all devoted to inclusivity in our own classrooms,” Manolias said. “I’m positive that we’re all going to be amazing educators someday.”
Current students who wish to become involved in NCTE can email ncte.msu@gmail.com for more information or follow the organization on Twitter @SpartanEngEd. The student organization meets the second and fourth Tuesdays each month from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Room C607 of Wells Hall.