Brianna Bobo ’23 (ED), a graduate student specializing in curriculum and instruction at the UConn Neag School of Education, has been honored as an awardee for 2024.
The scholarship, named in memory of Alma Exley, a devoted educator at the Connecticut State Department of Education, is dedicated to enhancing diversity within the teaching profession. It recognizes and supports exceptional students preparing for careers as public school teachers by granting an annual scholarship of no less than $5,000 to a student of color enrolled in an accredited teacher preparation program in Connecticut.
The Alma Exley Scholarship website highlights the significant underrepresentation of educators of color in Connecticut’s public schools, where only approximately 11 percent belong to minority groups despite students of color constituting over half of the statewide student population and more than 85 percent in major urban areas. Therefore, the scholarship seeks to address this disparity by empowering future teachers of color like Bobo to better reflect the diversity of the student body.
Woody Exley, spouse of the late Alma Exley, mentioned on the scholarship website that a panel of esteemed educators selected the recipients from a pool of applicants from educator-preparation programs in Connecticut. He emphasized the exceptional qualities of all applicants, underscoring the ongoing need to expand the endowment to support more scholarships in the future.
Bobo, a Conard High School alumna from West Hartford, Connecticut, completed her undergraduate studies in secondary education with a focus on social studies and history at UConn’s Neag School.
Expressing her gratitude towards the Neag School of Education, Bobo acknowledged the institution for providing a comprehensive curriculum and diverse educational opportunities that have propelled her growth as an educator. She attributed her decision to pursue studies at Neag to the exceptional program it offers and a deep-seated belief that it was the right path guided by faith.
Upon completing her master’s degree in May, Bobo aspires to realize her ambition of becoming an educator and serving her community through education, viewing it as her life’s purpose.
Bobo outlined her commitments as an educator, pledging to wholeheartedly serve her students, cultivate a compassionate and patient learning environment, and empower her students to contribute towards building a fair and just society.
She credited her high school African American history teacher, Steve Bassi, for igniting her passion for education and using history as a tool to forge meaningful connections with her students. Reflecting on the impact of the scholarship, Bobo emphasized its significance in not only transforming the lives of recipients but also shaping the educational landscape for future generations.
She highlighted the scholarship’s role in enabling her to pursue her teaching aspirations without the burden of financial constraints and commended the Neag School for furnishing her with the requisite skills and knowledge to excel as an educator.