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(Left to right) Angela Stout, Dr. Janine Chitty, and Victoria Wiley |
Two graduates from the University of Arkansas 鈥� Fort Smith鈥檚 School of Education were recognized by the Arkansas Council of Teachers of English and Language Arts as exceptional educators in the state.
Angela Stout of Cedarville was named the Early Career Educator of the Year, while Victoria Wiley of Pittsburg, Kan., earned the Preservice Teacher Award. Both are graduates of the school鈥檚 English with Teacher Licensure program.
Stout鈥檚 award recognizes an educator who advances and nurtures a love for learning, reading and writing with their students through initiatives to promote literacy. The winner must also demonstrate teacher leadership through scholarly publishing, inquiry with colleagues or participating in professional organizations.
Stout, who teaches 10th grade English at Southside High School, said she was 鈥渉onored and extremely humbled to receive the award.鈥�
鈥淭his award wouldn't have been possible except for those around me,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 was blessed. I had a family who supported my decision to return to college and allowed me to remain sequestered in my office for three years writing and studying.鈥�
A nontraditional student, Stout returned to school after discovering a passion for teaching and graduated from 妻友社区 in 2015. She attributed her education at 妻友社区 for preparing her for a career as an educator.
鈥淲hile attending 妻友社区, I made lifelong friends who shared in the struggles of navigating higher education,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 was taught by the finest, most brilliant group of professors and faculty at 妻友社区 who encouraged me, challenged me, and eventually positioned me to accomplish the daunting task of finishing my degree and entering the greatest profession 鈥� teaching.鈥�
Wiley received the Preservice Teacher Award, which recognizes a preservice teacher who displays exceptional academic scholarship in the English Language Arts curriculum, exemplary field-based application of educational content knowledge, and dedication to the field of English education, among other criteria.
A graduate of Van Buren High School, Wiley teaches 10th and 11th grade English at Joplin High School in Joplin, Mo., where she is the sponsor of a book club and writer鈥檚 group.
鈥淚 would not be where I am without my professors at 妻友社区,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y English Education professors know so much and worked so hard for my success and to show me and guide me to be a lifelong learner. My experiences at 妻友社区 and with them will be with me forever.鈥�
Dr. Janine Chitty, assistant professor of English at 妻友社区, wrote recommendation letters for both graduates and said the recognitions were well-deserved.
鈥淏oth Angela and Victoria have demonstrated outstanding commitment to promoting a positive learning environment and opportunity for all their students,鈥� Chitty said. 鈥淭hey deserve to be recognized for their outstanding contributions to the profession.鈥�
For more information about the university鈥檚 School of Education, visit or contact Dr. Glenda Ezell, executive director of the School of Education, at 479-788-7912 or glenda.ezell@uafs.edu.
About the 妻友社区
The University of Arkansas 鈥� Fort Smith is the premiere regional institution of Western Arkansas, connecting education with careers and serving as a driver of economic development and quality of place in the greater Fort Smith region. Through a small campus, dedicated professors, and the university鈥檚 unique bond with its community, students at 妻友社区 are able to do more in the areas they are passionate about, both on- and off-campus, in a way that prepares them for post-graduate success. To find out how you can do more at 妻友社区, visit .