Sydney Digby

Houston High Dance Team 2021-2024

The Village at Germantown 2021-2022

Volunteer teacher assistant Riverdale Elementary School

Collected goods for memphis Union Mission February 2024

Collected goods for Childhood Hunger Initiative Power Pack February 2024

Toy Drive Novemeber 2022

Pink Survivors Walk October 2022

School Supply Donation Drive August 2022

Childhood Book Drive September 2022

My experience in the classroom as a Teacher candidate has prepared me to teach young learners in a variety of settings. A very positive person, I love working with children and am passionate about shaping the minds and hearts of primary learners. I currently have a 3.5 GPA and have been named to the Dean’s List every semester since 2022. I’ve worked as a Server while attending school full time since 2020. I’ve also been involved with the University, first as a member of the Pom Squad, and currently as an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. with roles of secretary and historian. Strengths I possess include: Leadership, a growth mindset, initiative, and effective communication and collaboration with others.

I’ve wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. From a very young age, I would play teacher, with all my baby dolls as my students. When I started dancing competitively at age 5, my dolls transitioned to dancers and I would spend hours creating routines and assigning them spots. In 5th grade, I convinced my mom to let me host “Princess Parties” with a few of my friends helping me. My mom would invite all her teacher friends’ kids (4-6 years old) over and we would play games, do crafts, and read stories. I made lesson plans for these parties and even included small group rotations! In middle and high school, I worked as a student aide in the special needs classroom.

Both my parents and grandparents are/were teachers and so teaching is in my blood!! But it’s not just in my blood, it’s in my mind, heart, and soul. I’ve been blessed to have wonderful placements in both my practicum and Residency at the U of M. During my residency, I learn each of the students’ names and have established positive connections with each of them. I love it when they make me cards and tell me about their lives. For example, I know one of my students loves super heroes, another has started gymnastics, and I’ve worked with another student to help him calm down when he gets upset. I could tell you about each one of them. I also know them academically, which informs my lesson planning and teaching. I have another student who struggles with chewing his clothes and pencils. I researched what to do and ordered him chewable plastic pencil ends from Amazon. He was so excited to use them, it brought tears to my eyes! I even have a special friend in another class who I help with behaviors at lunch and recess.

I’ve been fortunate to have several teachers in my school career, from pre-school through college who believed in me, and I want to be that for students I have the awesome opportunity to reach and teach. I am so ready to pay it forward!

"My teacher gave me the best gift of all..... Believing in me." -unknown.

It would be an extreme honor to be selected for The Rumble Outstanding Student Teacher Award. Since arriving at The University of Memphis in 2019, I have worked diligently to exemplify the motto “Driven by Doing.” I’ve represented the University and the College of Education with pride, and my love for students and teaching shines through in everything I do. For these reasons, I believe I should be chosen as the Rumble Outshanding Student Teacher. Thank you for your time and consideration.