Name: Andrew Aliseo
From: Rockingham County
High School Attended: Reidsville Senior High School
University Graduated From: University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Major: Elementary Education
Current Employer/ Job Title: Pembroke Elementary School/ Second Grade Teacher
Current Residence: Pembroke
Location of employer: Pembroke, NC in Robeson County
What has the Golden LEAF Scholars Leadership Program meant to you:
The leadership program was priceless to my education and overall development as an individual. The program developed my raw abilities in a formal leadership setting. As an underprivileged youth, the program provided irreplaceable knowledge and experience to bridge the gap with my peers. The only permanent employment I have ever had came from being hired at my former internship sites. Furthermore, I have developed a strong pride in being from rural North Carolina after my participation in the program. This program has forever altered my future and the experience, financial assistance and knowledge gained means more to me than even my college education.
What internships did you have through the Golden LEAF Scholars Leadership Program:
- Summer 2012: Pembroke Housing Authority, Robeson, Youth Coordinator, Summer mentoring of youth in local housing authority.
- Summer 2013: Pembroke Elementary School, Robeson, Classroom aid, Assisting classroom teacher with various classroom tasks.
- Summer 2014: Pembroke Elementary School, Robeson, Classroom aid, Extended responsibility and autonomy in assisting classroom teachers with classroom and behavioral management and academic achievement.
What was the impact of your internships:
I worked as a youth coordinator with Pembroke Housing Authority for multiple years during college. Working with the residents and youth in the program allowed me to see many of the issues first hand that the youth in rural Southeast North Carolina face. It also allowed me to realize how valuable it is and how much of an impact having genuine role models at an early age can have on youth.
How did your internships affect your decision to work in Elementary Education:
My decision to work in elementary education had a lot to do with the work I did with children with the Housing Authority as well as the role teachers have in our society. I believe the problems that we are seeing in our society stem from the destruction of the family unit and the lack of care that children are receiving. I want to make as much of a positive impact on my community and society as a whole, so teaching was an obvious path to helping improve children’s lives.
What would you tell future Golden LEAF Scholars about the Scholarship and/or Leadership program(s):
To even be a recipient of the scholarship means you are truly blessed. Have faith in the leadership program and its potential to have a positive impact on your life.