TC Promise Scholars

Tianyi Gao

M.A. Candidate, TESOL

How Tianyi is Making a Difference:

This scholarship represents not only financial support but also recognition of my dedication to academic excellence and my commitment to making a positive impact in my field. My journey thus far has been shaped by a passion for learning and a drive to make a difference. From overcoming challenges to embracing opportunities for growth, each experience has fueled my determination to pursue excellence and contribute meaningfully to society.

Sophie Barnello

M.A. Candidate, Early Childhood Education

How Sophie is Making a Difference:

I was inspired to pursue my studies at Teachers College because I want to explore diverse approaches to children's learning and create unique classroom strategies to cater to a wide range of students, all while ensuring an enjoyable and educational experience. I am incredibly excited and grateful to have been granted this scholarship. Thank you!

Mia Rose Costanzo

M.A. Candidate, Deaf & Hard of Hearing

How Mia is Making a Difference:

While studying at TC I hope to be a positive, trustworthy, and respected figure to my peers! I love learning and am so lucky to have landed in such an enthusiastic cohort of students who encourage me to pursue my biggest dreams. I want to give all students a voice and support them in a way where they always feel able to use it.

Meghan Barna Wilmott

M.A. Candidate, Early Childhood Education

How Meghan is Making a Difference:

I hope to bring joy to young children both at TC and after I graduate by weaving music into my curriculum in an interdisciplinary way. I'd like to convey the gratitude I have for Teachers College and its community of students, faculty, and alumni. This award has had a tremendous impact on my life.

Edwin Geng

M.A. Candidate, Mathematics Education

How Edwin is Making a Difference:

I have learned a lot at Teachers College in just my first year! What's really valuable about this school is not only the vast diversity of students, professors, staff and alumni, but also the  many stories to tell and share! I have learned to view students not just as a recipient of knowledge, but as human beings who are constructing their identity, knowledge, and discovering their role in society that we teachers want to support, encourage and inspire.

Veronica Moralishvili

M.A. Candidate, Science Education

How Veronica is Making a Difference:

The TC community is enriched with wonderful people. And I just want to express my gratitude for the scholarship. I appreciate the financial support immensely. As someone who attended public schools from elementary through the undergraduate level, being able to financially support myself in attending TC felt daunting and I would not have been able to attend without this scholarship.

Chenxin Wu

M.A. Candidate, Curriculum & Teaching

How Chenxin is Making a Difference:

I hope to empower students so they recognize their own strengths and abilities and believe that they can also contribute to our society. I am very thankful to be able to receive this scholarship award, especially coming from a low income family. I will take what I have learned and practiced at Teachers College to serve more diverse urban youths in NYC.

Monica Diaz

M.A. Candidate, Teaching Biology Cert. 7-12

How Monica is Making a Difference:

I hope to share my passion for science with students in NYC while creating an inclusive, collaborative environment in the classroom where all feel welcome. I am so grateful for all the support I have received as a student here. Thank you so much.

Araceli Barrientos

M.A. Candidate, Severe/Multiple Disabilities-Annotation

How Araceli is Making a Difference:

I am deeply honored to receive this scholarship, which not only supports my studies at Teachers College but also affirms my commitment to educational equity. Growing up in Chicago’s underserved neighborhoods, I've seen the disparities that children with disabilities face daily. This award allows me to focus on creating impactful changes without the burden of financial constraints.

Bia Brait Amorosino

M.A. Candidate, Developmental Disabilities

How Bia is Making a Difference:

I was inspired to join the TC community due to its great disability specific program and phenomenal staff. And having grown up with a vision disability I have always had a strong personal interest regarding helping those with any type of disability and have wanted to pursue a career within this field since my undergraduate program.  By working towards this degree and certification, I hope to expand my knowledge base so that my work with our preschoolers with a disability can be enhanced.

Kadija Kouyate

M.A. candidate, Intellectual Disability/Autism

How Kadija is Making a Difference:

This scholarship propels my educational and professional journey forward. It acknowledges my steadfast dedication to education, mirroring the values deeply embedded in the ethos of Promise Academy 1 Charter School, where I am a Teaching Fellow. I eagerly anticipate the myriad opportunities this scholarship will open, allowing me to continue positively impacting students' lives and advancing the school's overarching mission.

Monben Mayon

M.A. candidate,  Anthropology and Education

How Monben is Making a Difference:

Highlighting the legacy of TC alumna Shirley Chisholm at the College, where Monben has worked to honor the political trailblazer for her “dedication to public service, her commitment to peacemaking and justice, and her everlasting connection” to TC. Monben has erected art installations and a book display at Gottesman Libraries in Chisholm's honor.

What Inspires Monben:

The desire to improve education for “first generation, minoritized, and non-traditional students” through her interdisciplinary fieldwork and research.

Agreni Batra

M.A. candidate, Curriculum and Teaching

How Agreni is Making a Difference:

Addressing systemic inequities that hinder students of different social classes, castes, and identities from accessing education in India. 

What Inspires Agreni:

Her time at Teach For India, where she taught grades 6-8 in an under-resourced public school in Delhi, India and her experience working across various non-profits.

Lucius Von Joo

Ed.D. candidate, Comparative and International Education, International & Transcultural Studies

How Lucius is Making a Difference:

Partnering with communities around TC to build immersive “play and repair zones” that encourage users to think critically and develop world-building skills. His current doctoral research incorporates his experiences as an artist, media maker, and carpenter and he hopes to make an impact in NYC communities after he graduates.

What Inspires Lucius:

His varied teaching experiences in Japan and beyond, which inspired his passion for learning and social change as a research practitioner.

Angela “Page” Spears

Ph.D. candidate, Clinical Psychology, Counseling & Clinical Psychology

How Angela is Making a Difference:

Working towards becoming a tenure-track professor to further examine the contributors and factors that predict adolescent suicide risk. After TC, she hopes to establish herself as an independent researcher, devoted to the adolescent suicide crisis.

What Inspires Angela:

Her inspiring work as a research coordinator at James J. Peters Veterans Administration Medical Center and her current mentor, Dr. Christine Cha.

Chenyu Li

Ph.D. candidate, Social Studies Teacher Education

How Chenyu is Making a Difference:

Finding opportunities to make social studies curricula more relevant to the experiences of Chinese Americans

Who Inspires Chenyu:

His former students at a public high school in Queens, a large number of whom were first-generation migrant students from China and used social studies as a means to understand American society. Through his doctoral work, Chenyu wants to better understand the impact of his teaching on their identities and experiences — and improve curricula overall.

Prachi Pathak

Ph.D. candidate, Social-Organizational Psychology

How Prachi is Making a Difference:

Contributing to research advancements at TC to evolve how people think about workplaces to more effectively and sustainably support employee well-being.

What Inspires Prachi:

Spirituality has informed both Prachi’s research interests and professional growth throughout her academic career.

Amanda Godman

M.S. candidate, Nutrition and Dietetics

How Amanda is Making a Difference:

Exploring ways to enrich the lives of others through nutrition-focused support. Amanda hopes to be able to come back and visit and share the knowledge she has learned, both at TC and in the field, with future TC students.

What Inspires Amanda:

Amanda’s passion for cooking, recipe development, and nutrition.