Westminster College Education Students Hosted Holiday-Themed Babysitting Fundraiser
Posted on Monday, December 17, 2012
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. - The Westminster College Student Chapter of Council for Exceptional Children hosted a holiday-themed babysitting fundraiser Dec. 1 on campus in Old Main.
Westminster College education majors babysat 17 children ranging in ages from three to 11 years old. The day included a visit from Santa Claus, making gingerbread houses, Christmas crafting, and lots of games.
"The children genuinely enjoyed it," said Samantha Garrity, a senior early childhood/special education major. "Everyone left with smiles on their faces and in the holiday spirit, even us college students."
The Westminster Student Chapter's purpose is to advance the education of individuals with exceptionalities and to promote related educational, scientific, and charitable purposes. Specifically, the chapter assists and provides support to the Pennsylvania CEC state/provincial unit of the CEC in all its efforts on behalf of persons with exceptionalities. While membership is not limited to education majors, all the students who participated in the fundraiser were early childhood/special education majors.
"We encourage all majors who have a passion for children to seek membership. CEC is a wonderful organization to join, especially for education majors. Being that CEC is a strong and well recognized voice in special and gifted education, being able to say you are a member and an advocate for children as a college student is something really beneficial after graduation," Garrity said. "I look forward to continuing my CEC membership well into my teaching career. To be able to say it started here at Westminster is something I will always cherish."
Garrity is a daughter of Gregg and Linda Garrity of Bradford Woods and a graduate of North Allegheny High School.
"Being involved with CEC has opened so many doors," said Hope Schrott, a senior early childhood/special education major. "I have met incredible teachers and have also been able to present research at a state-wide conference. This is an organization that not only gives you wonderful experiences while in college but also opens many doors for the future and helps prepare you for what is to come."
Schrott is a daughter of John and Anita Schrott and a graduate of Mount Lebanon High School.
The mission of the Department of Education at Westminster College is to prepare early childhood/special education and secondary teachers who are distinguished by their subject matter knowledge, interpersonal capacities, pedagogical skills, and professional attitudes.
The Department of Education seeks to create a community of learners in which stimulating and challenging expectations are addressed in a positive, caring, and encouraging environment which is respectful of all individuals. The faculty seeks to model the personal attributes and pedagogical practices which distinguish the teaching profession at its best.
Contact Garrity at garritst@wclive.westminster.edu for more information.
More Stories
