Page 15 - 2019-2020 Endowment Report | University of Rochester

“Teaching is my calling and it’s in my blood,” she says. “I just
can’t imagine doing anything else.”

That love of teaching is what led Czubinski to Warner to
pursue a master’s in education, specializing in TESOL. She
didn’t waste any time either—after graduating from SUNY
Binghamton in May 2020, she immediately began taking
classes at Warner. She’s on a fast track to earn her degree in
the spring 2021.
Dan Fichtner and Ray Rand
Czubinski’s Warner experience—like that of many students—
is a bit different this year. Because of COVID-19, everything “Anna Grum and her
has gone virtual. Right now, she’s student teaching at the brother John were
Children’s School of Rochester (School #15), in a Zoom-based
kindergarten classroom. extremely interested
in education, and they
“When I see all these young faces on instilled in me a love for
the screen and they smile and ask, learning. I have attempted

‘can we do it again’ I light up inside
and I know they are getting it,” she says. to do the same in my 38
“And, when they understand a concept, years of teaching, and
their attitudes shift, and their smiles get Ray and I wish to pay it

bigger—I just love that.” forward in our small way.

This scholarship will help
Czubinski wants to be “that” teacher for her students. She
strives to provide a rich learning environment that is also teachers like Hayly, who
safe and supportive. “With my dad gone so much when I was will lead the way for the
a kid, sometimes I would go to school and just be sad,” she next generation.ˮ
says, noting that everyone has outside factors that can affect
their learning. “I feel like I can relate to young people and I
understand when they need a smile along with more guidance DAN FICHTNER ’67W (MA)
and recognition.”

Regarding her scholarship, Czubinski hopes to pay it forward
someday. “This support has made my life better,” she adds.
“And, that’s what I want for my students: to make a difference
in their lives every day.”

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