Zato Kadambaya ’01, ’04 came to the U.S. from Africa, studying with the intention of going into electrical engineering. Returning to Africa, he was inspired to help people receive a better education and decided to become a teacher. The Teacher Certification Program for College Graduates (TCPCG) through UConn’s Neag School of Education helped him fulfill his dream.

UConn students across the University, including those from the Neag School of Education, are gaining valuable experiences during summer internships. In the the measurement, evaluation, and assessment (MEA) program at the Neag School, several doctoral students spent the past few months test-driving their future careers, working hand in hand with such prestigious organizations as the College Board, the Law School Admissions Council, and the U.S. Governmental Accountability Office.

Here are news and notes from our alumni, faculty, staff, and students. We are proud of all the amazing accomplishments by our Neag family. If you have an accolade to share, we want to hear from you! Please send any news items (and story ideas) to neag-communications@uconn.edu

Neag School’s Rachel Hill ’17 (ED) is one of the premier soccer forwards in the country. The sport management student leads the UConn women’s soccer team in scoring and was on the U.S. U-20 National Team in 2014.

Last month, Rojas presented 30 iPads and a charging cart to Windham Middle School in Windham, Conn., as part of Mathematics Literacy in English Across Disciplines (Math LEAD) – an initiative that seeks to improve math instruction for the school’s large population of English language learners (ELLs).

This fall, the Neag School is joined by the first group of Dean’s Doctoral Scholars selected from across the country – from Puerto Rico to New Orleans to New York – with such diverse interests as neuropsychology research and multicultural education. Here, Spotlight offers a brief introduction to each member of the inaugural class.

The Neag School is actively seeking applications for its second cohort of Dean’s Doctoral Scholars. Individuals accepted into this exclusive program for the 2016-17 academic year will have the opportunity to earn a Ph.D. with four years of full funding.

Former Sandy Hook Elementary School teacher Kaitlin Roig-DeBellis ’05 (ED), ’06 MA, founder of nonprofit Classes 4 Classes and survivor of the tragic 2012 shooting in Newtown, Conn., shares with Spotlight an excerpt of her new book, Choosing Hope: Moving Forward from Life’s Darkest Hours (G.P. Putnam’s Sons), releasing Oct. 6.

For Connecticut educators aspiring to advance their careers and serve in roles as assistant principals, principals, or district-level administrators, the Neag School of Education is offering more preparation options than ever before.

Elementary education major and Degnan Family Scholarship award recipient Symone James ’16 (ED) has one goal in mind: to be able to relate to every student.