"Seeing teachers of color, especially females in graduate school, helped me to envision what my own future might hold for me. It strengthened my self-esteem and allowed me to say, “Yes, I can.”

"In Their Own Words": Sibani Sengupta, Ph.D.

Excerpts from the remarks presented by Sibani Sengupta, Ph.D., upon being honored with an Alma Exley Scholarship at the reception on May 20, 2009. Dr. Sengupta, a graduate of the Alternate Route to Certification with a doctorate from the University of Connecticut, is a science teacher at Sacred Heart Academy, Hamden, Conn. Posted June 5th, 2009.

Thanks to the Alma Exley Scholarship Selection Committee for conferring this honor upon me. I also want to thank Sister Mary Jane Paolella, assistant principal of Sacred Heart Academy, Hamden, and Sister Ritamary Schulz, then principal of Sacred Heart, for putting their trust in me and mentoring me when I began teaching. Thanks also to our principal, Sister Colleen Smith and the faculty at Sacred Heart for their support and encouragement. Thanks are also due to Maria Davoodi, Dr. Richard Fritz and Keirsten Huttig, from the Alternate Route to Certification program for training us so well to face the challenges commonly seen in high school classrooms.

Throughout my life, I have been fortunate enough to have been taught by some truly remarkable teachers. Race and color bore no relevance to their success as teachers. The fact that distinguished these teachers was that they did not simply teach the subject, they also motivated us with their passion for the subject and an untiring zest for learning.

Still, the scarcity of teachers of color in my graduate school got me thinking about a possible career in education. From my own experience, I think that when we are young and impressionable, we try to look up to a model – to visualize where life can take us. Quite often, our hopes and aspirations are based upon the tangibility of the model – looks, personality and accomplishments, for instance. I think that seeing teachers of color, especially females in graduate school helped me to envision what my own future might hold for me. It strengthened my self-esteem and allowed me to say, “Yes, I can.”

The motto ‘Excelsior’ -- meaning ever higher -- applies to all professions. But I think it holds a special meaning for academicians because we play a pivotal role in nurturing all kinds of professionals. I also believe that teachers continue to evolve and improve over time. I hope to do the same so that I can help in my own way to realize Alma Exley’s dream.