Jake Moore, class of 2024 from Zanesville, Ohio, was named the 2022 recipient of The Claudia E. and Charles F. Cornett Creative Teaching Merit Scholarship, which each year recognizes a rising junior or senior education major or minor seeking teacher licensure who has a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA and exhibits creative behaviors and philosophies. Moore, an English major with minors in education, creative writing, and East Asian Studies, recently took a few minutes out of his busy schedule to answers some questions about the award and his experiences at Wittenberg.
Wittenberg: What extracurricular activities have you been involved with at Wittenberg?
Moore: I am a pledged member of the Beta Iota chapter of Delta Sigma Phi. I am involved with the East Asian Studies academic journal, the Wittenberg Astronomy Club, the Torch [Wittenberg’s student newspaper], and have worked as a peer mentor for two years. I am currently in the process of establishing the Wittenberg Writer's Guild, a creative writing club meant to bring the creative minds of Wittenberg together under a united community!
Wittenberg: How and when did you realize you wanted to be a teacher?
Moore: I realized I wanted to be a teacher when I formed a creative writing club for my high school, West Muskingum High. I loved teaching others about different forms of writing, poems, methods of producing works, and brainstorming ideas. I had mentioned my interest in becoming a teacher to my family, and the story has been going on ever since.
Wittenberg: How has the education department prepared you for the future?
Moore: Wittenberg's education department has helped me take my incoherent and sporadic thoughts about teaching and solidify them into an idea that has always been present in my mind: Teaching should help students better themselves. The role of the teacher is to be their guide to doing so, no matter what background there may be.
Wittenberg: What are your goals after graduating from Wittenberg?
Moore: After graduating, I wish to work toward higher education and teach abroad in different cultures. Creativity comes from many sources, and I believe that if I am to be a successful teacher, I should work toward expanding my repertoire of experience. I also wish to become a published author, one who can inspire those who feel to be at their lowest.
Wittenberg: What does the Cornett Teaching Scholarship mean to you?
Moore: The Cornett Teaching Scholarship is both a blessing and a call to action. Without this scholarship, I do not know if I could have continued my work. But just as it helps me continue my work, it demands I strive further - not for my success, but for the success of my future students.
