The following entries were submitted by graduates of the Curry School Class of 2008. If you would like to add your thoughts, please email your entry to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. Please include your full name, major, and degree.
- - -
Christa Lynne Kellas
Social Foundations
M.Ed.
My favorite instructor was Dr. Bernadette Black. Bernadette had a way of creating a calm and trusting environment within our classroom. I especially appreciate her flexibility. She allowed us to have a certain degree of ownership of the syllabus without compromising any of the learning objectives. She truly seemed to share our individual successes with us, and her passion for lifelong learning is more than infectious! I feel privileged to have learned from her and blessed to have received such good advice from her. I would want her to know that a part of her is reflected in my daily teaching as I try to motivate and connect with each student on a personal level.
Thank you, Dr. Black! Your love for learning has made a lasting impression on me!
Kase Luzar
Social Foundations Master’s ‘04
SAPHE Master’s ‘07
The truth is, I ended up in Curry on accident. Twice. If not for taking a redshirt year with football in 2003 and needing to be enrolled in something for my fifth year, I never would’ve been in the Social Foundations Master’s program. Two years later, if not for me working as a Graduate Assistant coach and, again, needing to be enrolled in classes, I never would’ve applied to the SAPHE program. Funny how things work out. In hindsight, I wouldn’t have traded my experiences at Curry for anything. I have benefitted greatly from each class, student, and professor I encountered there. While I loved my undergrad experience in the College, it doesn’t measure up in the same ways to what I learned and how I’ve grown as a student, person, and professional in Curry.
I’m grateful for the quality of teaching and for the invaluable lessons that I have taken from there. So much of this has given me a better understanding of how to do my own job better (and really, how to be a better person, husband, son, brother, friend, etc.) on a day-to-day basis. I’m also thankful for having my eyes opened to the world of higher ed. and careers in student affairs. As someone who’s been desperately trying to figure out what to do with his life, I am convicted daily of the importance of the people who fill these roles. I’m left wondering whether or not I am cut from the same cloth as the great people who poured so much into me and made my journey through Curry so meaningful.
Best wishes to all the students, faculty, and staff as you continue to do great things. Your work matters.
- - -
Dengting Boyanton
Educational Psychology
Ph.D.
During the one year being away from Curry, I must say I do miss Curry a lot.
What I miss most about Curry? I miss the very dynamic and inspiring intellectual environment which stimulated me to think critically. I miss all the wonderful people in Curry (professors, administrators, and classmates), who had provided me generous support and encouragement. Most importantly, I miss my dear doctoral advisor Dr. Harry Strang, who devoted all his life into his teaching. His passion and love for teaching and his students have had a tremendous impact on me and have deeply influenced who I am as an educator today.
I will always remember Curry. I sincerely wish Curry the best!
- - -
Kase Luzar
Social Foundations Master’s ‘04
SAPHE Master’s ‘07
The truth is, I ended up in Curry on accident. Twice. If not for taking a redshirt year with football in 2003 and needing to be enrolled in something for my fifth year, I never would’ve been in the Social Foundations Master’s program. Two years later, if not for me working as a Graduate Assistant coach and, again, needing to be enrolled in classes, I never would’ve applied to the SAPHE program. Funny how things work out. In hindsight, I wouldn’t have traded my experiences at Curry for anything. I have benefitted greatly from each class, student, and professor I encountered there. While I loved my undergrad experience in the College, it doesn’t measure up in the same ways to what I learned and how I’ve grown as a student, person, and professional in Curry.
I’m grateful for the quality of teaching and for the invaluable lessons that I have taken from there. So much of this has given me a better understanding of how to do my own job better (and really, how to be a better person, husband, son, brother, friend, etc.) on a day-to-day basis. I’m also thankful for having my eyes opened to the world of higher ed. and careers in student affairs. As someone who’s been desperately trying to figure out what to do with his life, I am convicted daily of the importance of the people who fill these roles. I’m left wondering whether or not I am cut from the same cloth as the great people who poured so much into me and made my journey through Curry so meaningful.
Best wishes to all the students, faculty, and staff as you continue to do great things. Your work matters.
- - -
Ifunanya (Ify) A. Agbim
Pre-Med / Sports Medicine
B.S. - Kinesiology
- My favorite Curry course or instructor
EDLF with Robert Covert was amazing! I took the class one fall and facilitated the first year LINC class the next semester right before I graduated. It was definitely one of my most fun and most memoribale experiences at UVa! I hope to come back and see the class still going strong.
- - -
Christa Lynne Kellas
Social Foundations
M.Ed.
My favorite instructor was Dr. Bernadette Black. Bernadette had a way of creating a calm and trusting environment within our classroom. I especially appreciate her flexibility. She allowed us to have a certain degree of ownership of the syllabus without compromising any of the learning objectives. She truly seemed to share our individual successes with us, and her passion for lifelong learning is more than infectious! I feel privileged to have learned from her and blessed to have received such good advice from her. I would want her to know that a part of her is reflected in my daily teaching as I try to motivate and connect with each student on a personal level.
Thank you, Dr. Black! Your love for learning has made a lasting impression on me!
- - -
- - -
Charles C. Watson III
Mathematics/Education
BA/MT
Favorite Curry course or instructor: Joe Garofalo
What I learned at Curry: Most education courses aren't useful until after you've had some field experience.
The best Curry educational experience: EDIS 587
What I’ll miss most about Curry: Joe's class and all my fellow student teachers in it.
Memorable Curry event: Bringing in a Wii to the last day of EDIS 587.
- - -
.
- - -
back to top
- - -
- - -
---
- - -
back to top
- - -
- - -
- - -
back to top
