‘You are a treasure hunter, a treasure seeker, a treasure giver’: Celebrating future teachers
“I am a teacher. I change the world one student at a time.” – Teacher’s Creed
The newest “Boilermaker Educators”: College of Education Teacher Education Pinning Ceremony (All photos Purdue University/Addison Ott)
The College of Education held its Spring 2026 Teacher Education Pinning Ceremony in Loeb Playhouse followed by a reception in Stewart Center’s west lobby (May 14).
Phillip J. VanFossen, who was appointed the College’s Suzi and Dale Gallagher Dean of Education in April after serving nearly four years as the interim dean, welcomed the new graduates, their families and friends, and College faculty and staff. Candidates received a Purdue Teacher Education pin and a copy of the Teacher’s Creed, which they recited to conclude the program.
The College honored 64 new teacher educators who graduated earlier than morning at Purdue University’s spring commencement ceremony. All new “Boilermaker Educator” graduates were invited to attend the pinning, whether they were receiving a degree from the College of Education or from one of its partner colleges such as Agriculture, Health and Human Sciences, Liberal Arts, Science, or the Purdue Polytechnic Institute.
“It is my belief that there are few careers more consequential than that of being a teacher,” VanFossen said. “So thank you for choosing to be Boilermaker Educators who help their students make giant leaps, equip their students with tools to build a better world, and who have an ‘ever true’ commitment to lifelong learning.”
Alissa Cress, clinical assistant professor of gifted, creative, and talented studies, introduced keynote speaker Kathy Nimmer (MA Purdue ’92), a nationally recognized educator who is blind. Nimmer was the 2015 Indiana Teacher of the Year and National Finalist – one of the top four U.S. teachers that year, and a Sagamore of the Wabash awardee, the highest civilian honor in Indiana.
“As both a celebrated professional and my own former high school English and Creative Writing teacher, Kathy exemplifies the passion, empathy, and dedication of an outstanding educator and leaves a lasting impression on students’ lives,” said Cress. “Kathy’s keynote address about finding joy in the silver moments in teaching and in life (as opposed to only being satisfied with the gold medal moments) literally brought the audience to tears. She certainly inspired the room of current and future educators, and their loved ones.”
Nimmer gave the pinning ceremony keynote speech for the second year in a row, inspiring graduates, families, friends, faculty and staff.
Nimmer spoke about “gold and silver” moments for educators and students: “The gold moments are those that are precisely right, and the silver are those that are almost precisely right. I’m a silver girl myself because I love the concept of ‘almost’ – which means there is room for growth.”
After Nimmer’s keynote, Rachael Kenney, associate professor of mathematics education, led the students and other educators in the audience in reciting the Teacher’s Creed:
I am dedicated to ensuring that every child I teach receives a quality education.
I will create a learning environment that encourages academic, social, and emotional achievement.
I will hold high expectations for all students and myself.
I will respect the hard-won gains of those educators in whose steps I walk and gladly share the very best practices with those who follow.
I am a teacher. I change the world one student at a time.
Tara Star Johnson, associate dean of learning, presented the candidates by reading each student’s name and future plans. Slides of each candidate’s picture, hometown, major, and comments were projected above the stage as they came forward to receive a Purdue Teacher Education pin and posed for a photo with VanFossen.
Summing up the new educators’ career choice, Nimmer said, “Welcome to the most sparkling, shimmery, award winning profession that exists! Find the gold and the silver & most importantly help your students find the same. There is no higher calling on earth than what you’ve signed up for.”
Congratulations, Class of 2026!
Purdue’s College of Education meets the challenges of educating 21st Century learners by discovering what works in education. The College prepares highly qualified educators and conducts research that informs how teachers teach and students learn, and uses an innovative approach to teacher preparation, including a focus on integrated P-12 STEM education and a commitment to prepare all graduates to be leaders in education, business, and society.