Jenna Pitaro

                                
Jenna Pitaro, of Somers, NY is a 21-year-old Childhood Education major.  She is in a combined BA/MS program, concentrating in mathematics.  She joined honors as a first-year student in 2003.

Jenna is one of the most active members of the Pace community.  This is her third year as Vice President of the Residence Hall Association (RHA), an organization she is passionate about.  “We try to make RHA an outstanding piece of the Pace University puzzle,” says Jenna.  As Vice President, Jenna helps plan and follow through with events that every student can enjoy.  RHA holds many events such as Briarcliff Bash, cultural dinners, and events with the Pleasantville Cottage School.  “The programming that RHA continues to bring to Pace University has, in my opinion, made the school a better and more interesting place to be.  Community involvement is up, spirits are high, and RHA is capturing the moment by designing program models around that.”

Because of her dedication, Jenna was the recipient of the Pace Pride Award for Outstanding Special Skill & Program Development at last year’s student awards dinner.  Friend and fellow Honors College member, Alicia Syrok, has nothing but good things to say about Jenna.  “Jenna’s determination is a special skill that needs to be recognized,” Alicia says.  Jenna’s goal for RHA is to make the organization better known on campus because of the experiences and community the organization offers.  Seeing students enjoy themselves, take pride in their work, and look forward to each week with RHA are among the things in which Jenna takes pride.  Jenna is also the Vice President of the Future Educators Association (FEA), a club that was revived last spring.

                  Jenna believes everyone should become active on campus, “because it adds such a great aspect to your college education.”   She believes the best thing for a first-year student to do is to get involved in an organization.  “When you work behind the scenes you get to meet, and become like part of the family with all of the important people of Pace University.  It is always nice to have a family away from the one you leave at home!”

                  While Jenna is not playing an active part on campus, she is dedicated to her student teaching.  “The best part about student teaching is seeing the impact that you as one person can have on so many children.”  Every experience is rewarding.  An unruly student from last year approached Jenna this year, telling her his teacher is very nice this year, like she was to him, and gave her a hug.  “It was just such a great feeling that I had made a difference in his life,” Jenna emotionally added.

Student teaching isn’t just for the school year.  Over the summer, Jenna worked as a teaching assistant in the Ossining Union Free School District and as the Assistant Director of the Somers Summer Academy in the Somers Central School District.  “I absolutely love teaching and am so happy to be pursuing a career in education, especially with the amazing School of  Education here at Pace University!”