Holy Names University’s School of Education held a Zoom celebration at the end of the school year on May 28 to recognize eight new teachers who completed their teaching credentials, successfully finishing their rigorous training in the midst of an extremely challenging pandemic year.

The credential completers were honored by Dr. Kimberly Mayfield, dean of the School of Education, who emphasized the humanistic and nurturing approach to teaching that is the hallmark of Holy Names.

Reflecting on the principles that motivate the HNU staff, she said, “We train our candidates to be effective no matter what the setting is. Although this (year’s conditions) were unique, our candidates were expertly prepared for it.”

“I know very deeply what it means to be a teacher at any time but especially this past year. We wanted to do something special, and maybe this is starting a trend, to acknowledge all of  our credential program completers.”

Mayfield explained that education and Oakland schools are a profound part of who she is. She is herself a former Oakland teacher; her mother was an Oakland teacher for many years; and her husband is currently an Oakland teacher.

“My hope and my charge for our candidates is not only to deliver the kind of education you’ve been trained to do but to really be sure that your classrooms are safe places for all students at your school,” Mayfield continued.

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“When there are students who seem to be outliers and maybe don’t fit the picture of the school at large, that student fits the picture of success for you as a HNU graduate. Your classrooms become the safe places for all students, not just the students that are in your class or on your (rolls). That is the ethic of care that we’ve imparted.

“We are coming together in love and we want to recognize the good work that our HNU candidates have done.

She said that the Holy Names teachers are exceptional people. “When we do recruitment events, we always say we aren’t just training teachers to be teachers, we’re training teachers to be effective with our own children. When we look at who we want in the program, we are looking for candidates through those eyes. It’s a higher standard. Our relationship with you is forever.”

The eight Holy Names credential completers are:

• Todd Brewer, who is completing a special education credential. He teaches 8^th grade at Impact Academy;
  

  Todd Brewer

• Mason Brown, who is completing his single subject in science. He teaches physics for 10^th, 11^th and 12^th graders at East Bay Innovation Academy;
  

  Mason Brown

• Angela Calderon, who is completing her special education credential. She has been teaching special education at Richmond High School;
  

  Angela Calderon

• Jaron Epstein, who is completing a special education credential. He has been teaching 6^th-8^th grade in a special day class at West Oakland Middle School;
  

  Jaron Epstein

• Alexander Niuatoa, who is earning a single subject physical education credential. He teaches 7^th and 8^th graders at Winton Middle School and 10^th grade at Hayward High School.
  

  Alexander Niuatoa

• Erica Nurse, who is receiving her multiple subjects credential. She has been teaching second grade at Tolenas Elementary School in Fairfield and gives private music instruction in Vallejo.
  

  Erica Nurse

• Shazmine Randle, who is earning a special education credential. She teaches 6^th through 8^th graders at Creekside Middle School.
  

  Shazmine Randle

• Mariya Snazina is earning a world languages credential. She teaches French at Castro Valley High School.
  

  Mariya Snazina

Each of the credential completers who attended the celebration will receive a $200 gift card, courtesy of a donation by the Teel Family Foundation, to help them buy supplies for their classrooms for the new school year.

Mayfield ended the ceremony by remembering the legacy of “really great educators who have gone before you: Dr. Fred Ellis, Margie Mayfield and Sylvester Hodges.”

“I want you to know that their energy is with you and supporting you as you go out and do really great work,” she said.

Christy Price

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