By Yadyra Guzman, University Communications and Marketing
For Kathleen Porcelli, a student in the USF College of Education (USF COE) at the Sarasota-Manatee campus, the first few weeks have already been eye-opening and inspiring.
“Being that this was my first semester in the program, entering it was both exciting and scary,” she shared. “I didn’t know what to expect, but I quickly realized this is the perfect program for me to be a part of.”
Porcelli says her coursework has already started to shape her understanding of what it truly means to be an educator.
“I’ve learned how important the role of a teacher is in shaping not only academic success, but students’ lives as a whole,” she said. “These first classes have truly confirmed my desire to become a teacher.”
Her passion for teaching, however, started well before college. As a former competitive dancer, Porcelli found inspiration working with younger dancers—helping teach them choreography and building their confidence. That early experience sparked her love for working with children and continues to influence her journey toward becoming an educator.
USF COE equips future educators with state-of-the-art training and real-world preparation
rooted in research and innovation.
“Our passionate, world-class educators harness cutting-edge research and innovative
teaching to inspire and shape future educators and leaders,” said Dr. Cheryl Ellerbrock,
campus dean of education. “What sets us apart from other local institutions is our
commitment to excellence in educator and leadership preparation.”
Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), the college offers coursework designed to develop student-centered teaching practices that meet the evolving needs of today’s classrooms. The educators progress through the program with a cohort of peers and gain experience in primary and intermediate elementary level schools.
Kathleen guides a camper through a hands‑on challenge during Camp at College’s World of Wonder.
Porcelli also credits the experience outside the classroom with deepening her passion for the profession.
“I’ve had the privilege of being part of so many opportunities in just a few months,” she said. It was only Kathleen’s second week of classes when she was offered two unique experiences: assisting a fifth-grade teacher by mentoring students in need of extra support and beginning an internship with the college of education office. She said yes to both, left her retail job to fully dedicate her time to the field she aspires to join.
“I’m super grateful for the support I have within the program, and I’m looking forward to continuing to expand my knowledge and involvement.” My first semester has laid a strong foundation,” she said. “And I’m so excited to continue my journey of becoming a teacher with USF.”
Driven by her passion for education, Kathleen is completing an internship with the College of Education, where she actively contributes to planning meetings and initiatives, gaining meaningful firsthand experience in the field. Most recently she completed being fully immersed in two summer camps hosted by the College of Education at USF Sarasota-Manatee: Camp at College: World of Wonder and Empowering Youth to Be Dream Builders Using Tech. Aimed at rising 5th–9th graders, both camps focused on human-centered design—an empathy-driven approach that encourages students to explore, prototype, and test their ideas.
Kathleen remarks on her experience so far, “As an education student, seeing that in person, outside of a traditional classroom setting, was transformative.”
Kathleen (middle) engaging with Camp at College campers through interactive learning methods.
At the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus, students like Kathleen Porcelli are immersed in a distinctive teacher preparation program that emphasizes arts-integrated education.
This approach blends the arts, such as music, visual arts, and performance into core academic instruction, fostering engaging learning environments.
This not only equips future educators with creative teaching strategies but also empowers them to meet the needs of their students, laying a strong foundation for their careers in education.
“USF Sarasota-Manatee doesn’t just prepare future educators—they empower them to uplift
our community,” says Interim Regional Chancellor Dr. Brett Kemker.“Through cutting-edge,
research-based training and immersive local experiences, our graduates enter classrooms
and leadership roles ready to shape the next generation of learners and strengthen
the educational fabric of the region.”
Learn more about the USF College of Education at USF Sarasota-Manatee.