Students from Southern Connecticut State University and the University of Connecticut have been chosen as Alma Exley Scholars for 2025.

Verónica Jazmin Alvarenga Ramos of Norwalk is a senior at SCSU majoring in elementary education with a bilingual endorsement. She received an associate degree from Norwalk Community College in 2022. She is a graduate of Our Lady of Fatima High School in El Salvador.

Verónica Alvarenga Ramos

Carter Newman, a graduate of Cromwell High School, holds a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from UConn and is pursuing his master of arts degree in curriculum and instruction at UConn.

Carter Newman

Working and Learning

Ms. Alvarenga came to the United States at age 17 and began taking English classes while working full-time to support herself and family back home. Eventually, continuing to work, she began taking classes at Norwalk Community College and earned an associate degree in early childhood education.

While at Norwalk CC, she served as a reading interventionist at Silvermine Dual Magnet School in Norwalk and did her student teaching at the same school. As a volunteer, she has worked in youth programs at Saint Joseph Church in Norwalk and has served in teen-parenting and domestic-violence programs at Horizons for Homeless Children.

Transformative Power of Representation

Discussing her own education and the impact of a teacher of color, she said, “It wasn’t until I encountered a teacher who shared my background that I truly began to see the transformative power of representation. She understood the nuances of growing up in a household where survival often took precedence over academic achievement. She didn’t just teach the curriculum; she taught resilience, perseverance, and self-belief. Her presence in my life was a beacon of hope, showing me that my circumstances did not define my potential.

“These experiences fueled my desire to become a teacher,” she said. “I wanted to become the kind of educator who sees beyond the surface and who recognizes the potential in every student regardless of their background. I am committed to being a voice for those who, like me, have felt marginalized and overlooked.I want to create a classroom environment where all children know that they are capable of achieving great things, regardless of their socio-economic status or family structure. My goal is to be the role model that I needed—someone who can relate to their struggles and inspire them to rise above them.”

Carter Newman

A Leader at UConn

A UConn professor reported that Mr. Newman was chosen by the faculty to carry the Neag School of Education banner in the procession at his bachelor’s-degree commencement ceremony. He was chosen as the student who best demonstrated qualities of leadership and initiative, intellectual curiosity, creativity, and commitment to educational equity and excellence for all students.

Of Mr. Newman’s student teaching, the professor said, “The warm connection, patience, and faith in student learning I saw—and the way he kept students intrigued and engaged—augur well for the kind of teacher he will be and the good influence he will be on colleagues.

“I also saw Carter’s commitment to social justice and youth empowerment. He positioned second-grade students to identify ways they could make a difference in society. He also employed skillful means to make the content and skills he was teaching accessible to emergent bilingual students.”

Mr. Newman has an extensive background working with youth in various capacities. He was an instructor and advisor in the Explo summer camp on the campus of Wellesley College. He served as a Husky Insider, advising and orienting underrepresented, prospective UConn students. He was a summer teaching intern at Horizons Green Farms Academy in Westport, Conn. He also worked for three years as a substitute teacher in Cromwell Public Schools. He is vice president of UConn Leadership in Diversity and a member of the UConn Black Student Association, and he has served as a UConn Big Brother.

Endowment Growth

The program was able to offer two scholarships again this year because of the growth of the endowment at the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain. Growth has been achieved thanks to substantial, ongoing contributions as well as solid investment gains.

A selection committee of respected educators chose the recipients from among applicants from educator-preparation programs in Connecticut. The selection committee was impressed with the potential of all the applicants. All were deserving and worthy of the scholarship. As we continue to grow the endowment, we will be able to recognize and support more aspiring future teachers in the years ahead.

Now in its 29^th year, the program has honored and supported 40 outstanding aspiring teachers. Previous recipients are serving in teaching and leadership positions in 15 cities and towns in Connecticut and across the United States.

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Andrew Amaya and Brianna Bobo were introduced to the education community and supporters of the Alma Exley Scholarship Program in a virtual celebration recently on Zoom.

Both are preparing for careers as history teachers. Each received a $5,000 scholarship along with recognition of their potential to become outstanding educators.

Andrew Amaya with Woody Exley and Candice Tabone of the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain at Foundation headquarters.

Brianna Bobo with Woody Exley at the West Hartford Library.

They are among 38 future educators who have received more than $130,000 in scholarships since the program was established in 1995. The program is carrying on the legacy of Alma Exley, who was working at the State Department of Education to bring greater diversity to the state’s educator workforce.

Compassionate Connections

Thanking the supporters of the program, Mr. Amaya said, “It’s important to have people of color in the classroom. It’s important for students to feel comfortable going to someone who looks like them, someone who has had similar experiences and is open to having a conversation to help them get through a tough time. High school can be a complicated time for a lot or kids, and it can make a different to have someone there who can help them through a difficult time, as it did when I was in high school.”

Mr. Amaya referred to a Hispanic mentor who was helpful to him in high school. “Hopefully, I can do the same for a student who may be feeling lost or out of place. I’ll be sure to make the best of the opportunity you have given me.”

Teaching is Serving

Ms. Bobo thanked the donors and the educators who inspired and encouraged her along the way.

“I believe the core of teaching is to serve,” she said. “It’s not what I do; it’s who I am. Whether I realized it or not, for my whole life I was preparing to be an educator. With this scholarship, I am fulfilling my lifelong purpose to serve my community through education.

“Three promises I pledge to myself and my community:

“One, to serve my students wholeheartedly;

“Two, to create a learning environment filled with acts of kindness, compassion, and patience;

“Three, to empower my students to contribute to creating an equitable society.”

She concluded by saying, “It means a lot to me to know there are people who believe in me, who believe in people who look like me, and who are making it a priority to support teachers of color to strive and create an equitable society.”

Congrats from Cardona

Secretary Miguel Cardona

U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, 1998 Alma Exley Scholar, congratulated the recipients via video. Dr. Cardona, who received his bachelor’s degree from Central and graduate degrees from UConn, said, “I may be a little bit biased but I’m confident these excellent institutions are preparing you well for the next steps in your careers and your lives.”

Said the Secretary, “Educator diversity benefits all students. Diverse educators serve as positive role models in classrooms and communities. Diverse educators hold students to high expectations and develop trusting relationships with diverse students. This translates into tremendous social, emotional, and academic benefits for all students.

“To the teachers and aspiring teachers here tonight, you have the power to ignite generational change, to inspire hope, and to build safe, supportive school communities.”

2024 Diversity Champion

Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker

Also at the event, the Alma Exley Scholarship Program honored State Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker as the 2024 Diversity Champion in recognition of her leadership in bringing more people of color into the state’s educator workforce. Read more on the Diversity Resources page.

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Students from the University of Connecticut and Central Connecticut State University have been chosen as Alma Exley Scholars for 2024.

Brianna Bobo is pursuing a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction at the University of Connecticut. She has a bachelor of science degree from UConn in secondary education with a concentration in social studies and history.  She is a graduate of Conard High School in West Hartford, Connecticut.

Brianna Bobo

Andrew Amaya of New Britain is a student at Central Connecticut State University. He is a secondary education major with a concentration in social studies. He is a graduate of New Britain (Connecticut) High School.

Andrew Amaya

Growing Endowment

The program was able to offer two scholarships again this year because of the growth of the endowment at the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain. The growth has been achieved thanks to substantial contributions as well as solid investment gains.

A selection committee of respected educators chose the recipients from among applicants from educator-preparation programs in Connecticut. The selection committee was impressed with the potential of all the applicants. All were deserving and worthy of the scholarship. We need to keep growing the endowment so that we can award more scholarships in the future.

• Woody Exley