Oct 6, 2014 3 min read

WAYNESBURG – Rebecca Lane, a senior early childhood education, special education, major from Ellwood City, recently received the 2014 Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Mary Rovito Memorial Scholarship.

Lane is a Bonner Scholar at Waynesburg University and a Vira I. Heinz Women in Global Leadership Scholar. The $3,000 PASCD scholarship will defray Lane’s tuition cost.

“I think I received this scholarship because they saw something deeper than just the pursuit of a degree,” Lane said. “For me, being a teacher isn’t about summers off and holiday breaks. It’s about getting to be intentional with my students as I teach them academics and prepare them for life.”

The PASCD committee chose Lane based on her academic standing, leadership, written expression and interest in teaching. The committee closely considered professor and adviser recommendations and Lane’s numerous extracurricular activities before selecting her for the award.

“Our mission as the education department faculty is to prepare teachers who embrace learning and dedicate themselves to service and leadership in the profession,” said Debbie Clarke, chairman of the education department. “Rebecca’s commitment to our mission is evident in everything that she does as a teacher candidate and a student leader in the education department. We applaud her accomplishments; she is an excellent role model for our current and future students.”

Lane regularly volunteers with Open Arms Drop-in Center and Eldercare in Waynesburg. She also facilitates crafts for young people at the Open Door in Pittsburgh, each week and is a YoungLife Leader at West Greene High School. She is a member of Kappa Delta Pi, the Waynesburg University education honorary society.

As a student at Waynesburg, Lane participated in several service trips such as repairing a house with The Pittsburgh Project, feeding the homeless with the Center for Student Missions in Nashville, Tenn., and teaching students who are deaf in Nassau, Bahamas. Last summer, she spent two months in Kingston, Jamaica, assisting a child with walking abilities and adapting activities to allow for more inclusion.

Lane will attend the PASCD 62nd annual conference opening general session Nov. 23 in Hershey to give an acceptance speech highlighting her desire to be a teacher.

In addition to being honored during the conference, she will be highlighted in the PASCD conference program, newsletter and website.

PASCD is an organization committed to the improvement of curriculum development, supervision, instruction, promotion of professional growth and education of children.