Elementary Education Major Board of Trustees Scholarship Finalist
Published: March 29, 2023 | Author: Clare-Estelle Perkins | Read Time: 3 minutes
Alyssa Iriart has been named the 2023 finalist for the Southern Utah University Board of Trustees Scholarship for the Beverley Taylor Sorensen College of Education and Human Development. She is majoring in elementary education and minoring in family services and plans to be a teacher for a few years before getting her master’s degree in administration.
This is one of the most prestigious scholarships offered by the University and is awarded by the Board of Trustees to one outstanding SUU student at the end of their junior year. The seven finalists, representing each of the colleges on campus, are nominated by their faculty and dean and recognized for their academic excellence, distinguished service and campus involvement.
Alyssa Iriart is from Blythe, California, a small town on the California-Arizona border. Growing up playing softball and soccer in high school fed her passion for sports and led her to be a big supporter of all SUU athletics and their events. Accompanied by an SUU alum, her high school teacher, Iriart attended the red riot and fell in love with the Cedar City scene and chose to attend SUU. Her teachers and her experience tutoring helped her realize her passion for teaching and choose a major in education.
Stacy Hurst, lecturer in teacher education at SUU, made a great impact on Iriart because she made the learning more personal to everyone in the class. Hurst helped her to grow to love the reading aspect of learning where Alyssa preferred the math and science aspects.
“The staff and faculty are very supportive in everything you need and they reassured my nerves and believed in me and helped me realize this is what I am supposed to be doing,” Iriart thanked her professors.
Iriart is passionate about leaving her mark and creating an impact on the world and everyone she meets whether or not it is big or small, and what better way to do that than by being a good teacher.
"Alyssa Iriart’s passion for teaching and education runs in her family, as her mother is also a teacher,” said Hurst. “Alyssa is not only a diligent and accomplished student, but she also has a natural ability to work collaboratively with her peers and connect with children. Alyssa is committed to excellence and her ability to work hard becoming an outstanding educator. I have no doubt that she will continue to excel and am confident that she will make a powerful and positive impact in the lives of her future students."
Iriarts professors have high hopes for her with her teaching career and her ability to connect with students. During one of many Teaching Practicums, Iriarts taught a 5th grade class an art lesson. In this class one of the quieter, more disconnected students was very involved and later drew a picture and wrote a note expressing thanks for making them feel included and helping them specifically.
This scholarship is the confirmation that “if you work hard, you will succeed” for Iriart. She is so grateful and honored to be the finalist.
Learn more about the seven finalists for the 2023 SUU Board of Trustees Scholarship.
Tags: Education College of Education and Human Development