Your Gifts @ Work

Michele Hamester, Current Learner
Bachelor of Science Program - Cincinnati Academic Center
Recipient, 2009-2010 M.K. and Kamala Mitra Scholarship

Michele Hamester Current learner Michele Hamester is in the first year of her bachelor’s program at UI&U, and she’s already made an impression on both faculty and administration.  Beyond her studies, she has created an interdisciplinary approach to her passion for the arts and early childhood studies.  A classroom teacher working with preschool-age children, Michele is part of a Cincinnati-based organization that supports the use of children’s artwork in ways to enhance the education environment, curriculum, and children’s growth through experiences with art.  Recently, she began working on a project to exchange art created by her classroom children with children in Haiti, many of whom suffered during the recent devastating earthquake.  Her first activity planned for the exchange is self-portraits, in which the Cincinnati children will send their self-portraits to children in Haiti, and in return, the children there will be sending art to Cincinnati to share.

Dr. Donna Ruiz, faculty member and advisor in the Cincinnati Center, says of Hamester, “I have observed Michele’s work and her communications as a learner in the early childhood studies program, and discovered an extremely compassionate and dedicated early childhood professional.  Michele has an innovative and inquisitive mind and engages in reflective thinking about practical application of theoretical constructs to enhance her effectiveness as a teacher.  I am pleased that Michele has been awarded the Mitra Scholarship in recognition of her dedication to promising practices for the care and education of young children by using her own expertise in conjunction with reaching within and beyond her immediate community.”

With demonstrated academic excellence and a commitment to serving her local community of Cincinnati,  Michele is a living example of Union’s vision to educate generations of highly motivated adults who seek academic programs that engage, enlighten and empower them in their pursuit of a lifetime of learning and service.

UI&U caught up with Michele to learn more about her academic—and professional—pursuits.  Michele says of her experience:

I am honored and privileged to have received the 2010 Mitra Scholarship Award. For the past decade of my life, I have been working in the field of early childhood. I began my studies as a proud mother of three beautiful children and have continued my love of early childhood as my own children became more independent. I truly believe each child is unique and deserves the opportunity to learn within a nurturing environment. I believe in the importance of early childhood educators. They are possibly a child's earliest teacher and inspiration for many possibilities of the world around them. Early childhood is truly a horse of its own color, many times misunderstood and often undervalued. I believe in being a voice for children and a listening ear so that they can be heard and valued. I plan to continue my work in early childhood to be a voice as a teacher and support for the children within the community I serve.

My focus on teaching has been through many uses that incorporate music, language, literacy, and art. As part of my work, I participated in the Arts Connection that allowed us to have visits from local artists to work with the children. We created a sun dial that was part of a gardening project with the Cincinnati Horticultural Society where children and parents grew vegetables in gardening pots.

Through educational opportunities, I have been inspired and empowered to become a better teacher. I believe when we better ourselves through learning, we are empowering our service to our children and our community. Through educating ourselves, we are helping each child to blossom within the world around them. We do truly plant the seeds of imaginations for the future. We are artists, musicians, dancers, scientists, presidents, chefs, teachers, caretakers, role models all in one classroom... we are the future within the walls of the early childhood classroom. There is no greater value in education than its earliest years where the foundation of learning is built. A strong foundation built on good character and education leads the way to a better future for all.