Recent Maryville College education grads begin their careers as Smoky Mountain Teachers of Promise
June 2, 2025
Four Maryville College education graduates will enter new classrooms in the fall accompanied by more than just a degree and a teaching licensure — they’ll be certified as Smoky Mountain Teachers of Promise after being honored at the organization’s summit held in early April.
They were part of 35 teacher candidates honored at the event from 10 schools throughout the region, said Dr. Cynthia Gardner, professor of education and chair of the Division of Education at MC. In addition to a pinning ceremony certifying them as newly anointed members of the organization, Kade Beeler ’25, Jared Willis-Schoeman ’25, Lexi Armstrong ’25 and Bridget Requejo ’25 received medallions they wore with their graduation regalia during the Maryville College Commencement ceremony held on May 3 in the Clayton Center for the Arts.
“Our four initial licensure candidates were the first four from Maryville College to receive the distinction of being a Teacher of Promise,” Gardner said. “Teachers of Promise celebrates teacher candidates who have chosen teaching as their careers. Watching our candidates as they were honored and recognized as great educators before they even step into their first classrooms was very gratifying.
“The Division of Education is very proud of these candidates and their accomplishments. We know they will accept the summit’s challenge to establish a positive classroom atmosphere and make a meaningful impact in the lives of their students and in their community.”
Networking and support
According to the organization’s website, the Smoky Mountain Teachers of Promise Summit “identifies and recognizes excellent future teachers and connects them with a network of expert practitioners for celebration, elevation and activation.” The event was presented by the Teachers of Promise Foundation, itself designed to provide support for future teachers through flagship events that bring together aspiring educators and experienced ones to “celebrate the decision to teach, to elevate the teaching profession to the status it deserves, and to activate a network of impact in classrooms and schools.”
For the four Scots who attended, it was “an amazing experience,” Beeler said.
“It was awesome to be in a room full of individuals who had the same passion,” he added. “When I received my medal and pin, that was also an experience I will never forget. My years of college kind of rushed by, and I never really slowed down to notice what I have accomplished, and during the pinning ceremony it really hit me … I actually have done a lot!
“During Commencement (on May 3), I thought about how I will be prepping the students I eventually teach to be standing there one day as well. Commencement is an amazing experience, and taking part in it at the college level makes me even more passionate about pushing my students to further their education.”
Beeler, a Physical Education/Health major, began his student teaching experience at an elementary school in nearby Knox County, where he learned about classroom management and gathered ideas for future classroom experiences under two experienced PE teachers, he said. He completed his student teaching closer to home, at Montvale Elementary in Blount County, where he filled in for a PE teacher who took maternity leave for the remainder of the academic year.
“That was the best experience I could have ever gotten, because I didn’t have anyone holding my hand — it was just me,” he said. “This specifically solidified my decision to become an educator, because I truly did enjoy my experiences as a PE teacher. Sure, some days were rough, but overall it was a great experience and has me excited for the future!”
Also in Blount County, Willis-Schoeman completed his student teaching at Fairview Elementary, and when he begins the 2025-26 academic year as a fourth-grade math teacher at Montvale Elementary, he’ll not only bring his experience at Fairview to the classroom, he’ll also lean on his status as an international teacher from South Africa who now lives in Knoxville.
“Being international, (student teaching) was a whole new experience for me,” he said. “I got to take part in the full American elementary school experience. I was able to take over the classroom and teach for many weeks. This helped me gain confidence and build strong relationships with the students. It helped me build on my philosophy that building relationships with students will help them grow because they know that you are there for them no matter what.
“My student teaching solidified my decision because with the relationships formed, I created a little community within the school. Through the ups and downs, the class and I were always able to help each other and solve problems while supporting one another.”
Putting the distinction to work
And of course, he pointed out, the Teachers of Promise summit gave him additional tools from which he’ll draw upon as a first-year math teacher in the fall.
“There were many professional development opportunities at the summit, I wish I could have attended them all,” he said. “The opportunities opened my eyes to new ways to engage and incorporate different learning styles in order to help the students grow and be the best versions of themselves. And receiving the certificate, the pin and the medallion were very emotional, because they showed me that all my hard work over my college career did not go unnoticed, and that I will have a great impact on young minds.”
“I had the chance to connect with future educators from other colleges, experienced mentors, and past Teachers of Promise honorees — all people who share the same passion for education,” Armstrong added. “One of the biggest highlights was meeting Eugene Naughton, the president of Dollywood, who was incredibly kind and supportive of future teachers. I also got to meet Peter Reynolds, the author and illustrator behind The Dot and the Judy Moody series — books I absolutely loved growing up. It felt surreal to meet someone whose work had such a big impact on me as a young reader.
“Being surrounded by people who truly love this profession reminded me that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. Receiving the pin, medallion, and certificate was emotional — I felt so proud and honored to be stepping into this field.”
Armstrong’s student teaching experiences took place in a first-grade classroom at Eagleton Elementary School, also in Blount County, where she taught all core subjects, with a “strong focus,” she said, on literacy and math. She also had the opportunity to work with English Language Learners (students whose first language is not English) and Individualized Education Program (IEP) students, who receive special education services because of a disability, two challenges that helped make her classroom management and differentiation skills even stronger.
On May 3, during the College’s Commencement ceremony, the totality of her senior year experiences, from the classroom to the Smoky Mountain Teachers of Promise Summit, came flooding back … and provided her with a certainty that a classroom is the only place she’s meant to be.
“Every moment — from small breakthroughs to big successes — reminded me why I chose this path,” she said. “As a first-generation college student, it meant so much to finally walk across that stage and know I had made it. Despite these challenges this year, I kept pushing forward. Standing there in my cap and gown, I felt overwhelmed with pride, gratitude, and a deep sense of purpose.
“I thought about the students I’ll teach one day — some of whom may be facing their own hardships — and how I can be the person who encourages them to keep going, too. That moment truly reminded me why I chose to become an educator.”