EdNews - Fall 2008
A Publication of the College of Education at Florida State University
Travaglini Named Education's Humanitarian of the Year
Whitney Travaglini, a fourth-year undergraduate in Florida State’s Education of Students with Exceptionalities (ESE) program, was recently selected as the College of Education’s Undergraduate Humanitarian of the Year. This award includes a $200 stipend which Travaglini will donate to a charity of her choice and an automatic nomination for the President’s Humanitarian of the Year Award.
"Whitney represents the College's fundamental mission of community outreach and extension. She has been able to apply the lessons of her program in the field while improving the lives of exceptional students in the Leon School District. We are proud of her achievements," said Neill Franks, academic coordinator with the Office of Academic Services and Intern Support.
Travaglini’s community service has focused on helping children in the Tallahassee area become stronger students and happier individuals. She recognizes that by giving to others, she has experienced growth and increased fulfillment in her own life.
“The children I work with give purpose to my life. Everyday I work with them, they brighten my day and help confirm that I am in the right field,” Travaglini said.
Travaglini has served as a volunteer mentor with The Florida State University Youth Programs for the past 5 semesters. In this time, she has worked closely to meet students’ needs at Riley Elementary (Leon County) by working one-on-one to improve their reading abilities.
“Mentoring at Riley has given me the opportunity to apply what I have been learning in my classes and to help struggling first graders learn to read by providing them with the individualized instruction they need,” Travaglini said.
Travaglini also volunteers her time at the Griffin Heights Apartments After School Enrichment and Homework Center, which offers enhancement programs through a partnership between Griffin Middle School (Leon County), the City of Tallahassee and the Dade Street Community Center. Serving as a positive role model, Travaglini assists students with homework assignments, helps students become familiar with computer technology, and promotes positive peer interactions.
“My volunteer services did begin as course requirements, however the positive experiences and relationships that I developed made me fall in love with the programs and therefore continue my service throughout my time here at Florida State,” she added.
Travaglini will graduate with her masters in 2010. ESE, housed within the School of Teacher Education, is a three-year, linked junior-senior-master’s degree program that culminates in the simultaneous awarding of Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees. After graduating, Travaglini aspires to teach in an elementary resource classroom for students with emotional or behavioral disabilities.
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