By Iris Sanchez
UHCLIDIAN STAFF

One of the things education majors are asked to do is to remember back and think about one of their favorite or least favorite teachers.

"By stepping back in time and into the classroom it is profound to think of the impact that you can make on so many children's lives," said Ruth Mondrich, education undergraduate. "It is like a snowball effect, something that moves someone in a positive way."

Mondrich is this year's recipient of the Dr. Patricia Potter Wilson School of Education Outstanding Student Scholarship Endowment, awarded to an honors education student.

Ruth Mondrich

"This is my last semester and my last 12 hours, I am putting everything I've got, all of my effort into this semester," Mondrich said. "This scholarship is a substantial amount of money that will reimburse most of my tuition."

Mondrich credited winning the scholarship to her dedication over the past two and a half years. Extremely proud of being chosen, she feels a significant transition has occurred since receiving her associate's degree. Mondrich will graduate in May 2003. She plans on completing her internship requirement in the Pasadena School District. "Two and a half years ago I was an at-home mom," Mondrich said. "I went with my children to school one day. I read a story to their class and that was it. I decided I was going to become a teacher."

Mondrich is contemplating teaching kindergarten, first grade or in the gifted and talented program.

Her future aspirations include becoming a librarian or maybe even taking on an administrative position. Mondrich said she feels that in an administrative position she could make better choices for public schools. She also said she based her ideas on research that will benefit the children.

"Having summers off and the same hours as my children are perks, but they are not the only reason I want to become a teacher," Mondrich said. "I want so much to give children the attention they deserve."

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