Seeing Our Alumni in Action

One of the greatest benefits of the participating in this winter seminar is that we get to see our alumni in action.  It is one thing to be told that as a William & Mary student you are already set on a path of success, but means more to see active alumni.  The Urban Education seminar was able to get our first glimpse at how some of our alumni are active in education.

W&M alum, Sarah-Rose Dorton (left) and her associates, inform us about the great work of The Literacy Lab

We began the morning with William & Mary alum, Sara-Rose Dorton, who is currently working with The Literacy Lab.  It was a great opportunity to see how dedicated young professionals provide their services to preK-3rd graders to ensure they achieve an appropriate literacy level in order to access the rest of their education.

Fellows were able to observe 20-minute tutoring sessions

The afternoon was spent at Langley High School where the current principal, Fred Amico, is another one of our illustrious alumni.  Our visit included a 50-minute observation of various classes and a Q&A session where Principal Amico and other faculty gave us insight into the teaching and administrative reality of a public school in Fairfax County.

An impassioned discussion on the difficulties faced by a Fairfax County public school

As emerging young professionals, it was inspiring to see our alumni enjoy serving in the field of education.  It was even more beneficial to see the different capacities they operate in for the overall mission of working towards our youth’s educational success.  It was a great experience, and we are excited to see where other W&M alumni found themselves after graduating.

~Kiara A. Earle ’16