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Shannon Cunniff

6x

Finalist

2x

Winner

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Photography and Photo Editing
  • Yearbook
  • Student Council or Student Government

Reading

  • Biography
  • Christian Fiction
  • Education

Bio

The Educator in me will offer my students heart. I have a heart for teaching. The job of a teacher has been in my heart since I was an elementary school student in Woodstock, Connecticut. The dream of being a teacher has stayed with me, and I know I want to earn my college degree in Elementary Education. My dream to be an elementary school teacher became a vivid dream in third grade. My third-grade teacher, Mrs. Hanley, had this warm personal touch. Mrs. Hanley was inclusive of students and families and with her warm heart we felt each of us mattered and we were all appreciated. As a teacher, I want my students to have heart and approach working with each other as acts of kindness. I plan to lead my students by showing them that small acts of kindness to include all students must be our main priority. I hope my students will see me leading by example of being inclusive and feel encouraged to follow along. Teaching has been in my heart for such a long time. I am a dedicated student at Regis College, who works hard to achieve high grades, to move towards my dream. I have a double major in Elementary Education and Humanities. I am in the Honors Program at Regis College, and I sing as part of Glee Singers at Regis. I value the expression that “Teaching is a Work of Heart.” I believe my time at Regis College will carry me to my future goal of teaching and share my warmth and caring with elementary school students.

Education

Regis College

Bachelor's degree program

2023 – 2027

Majors:
  • Education, General

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Master's degree program
Graduate schools of interest:
Regis College, Merrimack College
Majors of interest:
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Education, General, Religion/Religious Studies

Career

  • Assistant Teacher

    Education · Early Childhood Learning, Day Care (Woodstock, CT)

    Jan 2021 – Jan 2021

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Education
Dream career goals:
Earn my masters degree, be a certified elementary school teacher.
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Volunteering
Sharra Rainbolt Memorial Scholarship
The job of a teacher has been in my heart since I was a young elementary school student. Since elementary school, I have dreamed about being a teacher. When I think of being a teacher, I think of this quote: “A teacher takes a hand, opens a mind, and touches a heart – Unknown". During my high school years, my dream of becoming a teacher has taken on a new meaning. In 2022, I experienced the loss of two special friends of my family. In January 2022, Amanda, 16 years old, a classmate passed away. Her death was determined to be sudden unexplained death in children (SUDC). My mom would later learn, Amanda’s mom went to wake her up to start her school day, and she had passed while asleep. It was hard to process a classmate had passed. Then my mom told me my younger brother’s friend, Adelaide, has cancer. It started when Adelaide was 8 years old. She told her parents that her tongue was bothering her, and her jaw ached. Shortly after this beautiful child was diagnosed with a tumor half the size of a baseball in her cheek. For her family, it was so difficult to process their full of energy 8-year-old daughter, and granddaughter, had cancer. She had to undergo intense chemotherapy in Boston, Massachusetts. Here parents both stopped working fully processing this time would be precious. Summer of 2022 came, and we kept hoping, kept praying Adelaide would see through this cancer. From the time she was diagnosed in 2021 and left school to this summer, my younger brother, Timmy, and I would send cards and notes to Adelaide. We made it a priority that she had children reaching out to her with cards and notes. Timmy would color these vibrant pictures to hope to cheer Addie up. He really missed seeing her bright eyes and smile at school. We were on vacation, and my mom found out Addie went to heaven. She told me and shared with me that she would wait until we were back in Woodstock to tell Timmy. Our Woodstock, Connecticut, community loved Adelaide. Once it was understood how much care she needed, the community donated over $89,000. It was clear, my little brother, Timmy loved Adelaide. To this day, I still get sad thinking how short both their lives were and how life is not the same without them. After both of them passed, it was revealed that they both dreamed of being teachers. I now view becoming a teacher as more than just something for myself, but rather for all three of us, as they didn't get the chance. I had a butterfly notebook I used in a Teaching & Learning Today class at Regis College and whenever I used my notebook, I would think of the two of them. I remind myself that they are always in my heart so I believe becoming a teacher and caring for children will honor both of their legacies in a beautiful way. When I become a teacher, I will do my best to teach my students the important life lesson, life is precious. I will help my students to realize that it is important to make memories together, because our time together is what matters. I will do my best to be an exceptional teacher for my students, for Amanda and for Adelaide.
Shannon Cunniff Student Profile | Bold.org