Kappa Delta Pi Inducts 19 Students | Features De'Shawn Washington, the Distinguished 2024 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year
Bay Path University's recent induction ceremony for the Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society was a testament to academic excellence and dedication to the field of education. Held on April 9, 2024, Dr. Ruth Lahti, dean of the School of Education, Psychology & Humanities. and Dr. Ellen Rustico, assistant dean of Education & Licensure Programs at Bay Path University, welcomed 19 new members to the Alpha Eta Theta Chapter, including students from majors in elementary education, reading specialist, special education, and transformative leadership.
At the heart of the ceremony was keynote speaker, De'Shawn Washington, the distinguished 2024 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year. Washington, a fourth-grade teacher at Maria Hastings Elementary School in Lexington, MA, is the first Black male recipient of the award in Massachusetts.
With a wealth of experience and a passion for teaching, Washington's presence inspired the inductees, as well as their family and friends in attendance, and underscored the importance of their chosen profession. Throughout the ceremony, Washington's words resonated deeply, offering insights, encouragement, and words of wisdom learned from his own experiences as an educator.
"We were honored to welcome De'Shawn Washington to our campus and were excited to hear his perspective on the power of education," said Dr. Ellen Rustico. "His achievements and dedication to teaching serve as a shining example for our Kappa Delta Pi inductees as they embark on their own journeys in the field of education."
Kappa Delta Pi is an international honor society in education dedicated to recognizing excellence and fostering leadership in the field of education. It was founded in 1911. And was one of the first discipline-specific honor societies in America. Its membership is limited to the top 20 percent of those entering the field of education.
Media coverage of the event: Click here for an interview with De’Shawn with Channel 22 News (NBC).
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