Rachel Stokely could have graduated early with all her Advanced Placement credits. Instead, in her sophomore year, she changed her studies from cellular biology to pursue the dual degree in mathematics education and mathematics (B.S.Ed./B.S.). As an Honors student she also got admitted into the M.Ed. program in mathematics education and will graduate with three degrees this spring. She is the undergraduate representative in the Mathematics Education Student Association, and she won a Hollingsworth scholarship in Mathematics in 2006. She has volunteered at St. Mary’s Hospital and tutored mathematics at Cedar Shoals High School. She received a Praxis II award of excellence. After graduation, she wants to teach high school mathematics and eventually return to UGA to pursue a Ph.D. in mathematics education and teach at the college level.
Hometown:
Roswell, Ga.
High School:
Roswell High School
Degree objective:
B.S. in mathematics, B.S.Ed. in mathematics education, M.Ed. mathematics education and a gifted teaching endorsement
University highlights, achievements, awards and scholarships:
I am on the College of Education Dean’s Council as well as an undergraduate representative for the Mathematics Education Student Association. Last year, the mathematics department presented me with a John Hollingsworth Award for excellence in mathematics. I am a member of the Honors Program and Presidential Scholar. I am a recipient of the HOPE Scholarship, Robert C. Byrd Scholarship, and Governor’s Scholarship from the state of Georgia, in addition to the University’s Charter Scholarship. I am a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority, and I have served as treasurer and financial vice president. I composed many of the songs for the GPB a cappella choir, of which I was a member for the past four years. I’m a member of Order of Omega, an honor society for Greeks. I have served as the UGA Episcopal Center music director and pianist for the past four years and have participated in Dance Marathon the past four years. I am a member of Phi Lambda Theta educational honor society and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Phi Eta Sigma, and Golden Key honor societies. I recently named the 2007 Outstanding Honors Student in the College of Education.
Current Employment:
I tutor UGA athletes in mathematics through the athletic department’s tutorial program. I love working with the athletes and sharing my love for mathematics!
Family Ties to UGA:
My paternal grandparents both went to UGA. I love looking through their Pandora yearbooks and seeing how campus life has changed. It’s fun to hear their crazy stories about college life more than 50 years ago at UGA!
I chose to attend UGA because…
When I was visiting colleges, Athens caught my attention as a true college town. The students seemed comfortable in their surroundings and they seemed to enjoy their pursuit of higher education. After talking with students, I learned of the many opportunities UGA offers. At the time, I was unsure of my major and realized UGA would give me the opportunity to find what I wanted to do with my life while enjoying this chapter. This realization solidified my decision to attend UGA.
My favorite things to do on campus are…
…to play the piano at the Episcopal Center on campus. When I’ve completed a test or just need some time to relax, I am able to spend time playing piano in the chapel. It’s a great release from the stresses of school and the chapel is close enough that I can easily play the piano during a break between my classes. I also enjoy walking on North Campus, taking Pilates classes at Ramsey, and reading The Red and Black outside on a nice day.
When I have free time, I like…
…to relax with my friends. I love visiting with friends in the unique restaurants and coffee shops of downtown Athens or just hanging out. Of course I also enjoy cheering on the Dawgs at Georgia football games!
The craziest thing I’ve done is…
While visiting a good friend in south Georgia, I wound up on a “road cabbage” hunt. Little did I know that “road cabbage” is cabbage that has fallen off cabbage trucks and that searching for it would be a fun way to spend my afternoon!
My favorite place to study is…
…the Science Library. It’s quiet and less popular than other places on campus, making it perfect for focusing on one’s work.
My favorite professor is…
…Denise Mewborn in the mathematics education department. She has been my graduate advisor for the past two and a half years, and I have taken her classes. She has taught students at all levels from elementary to graduate school, as well as serving on boards of education. She is also the current mathematics education department head. She has reasonable, novel ideas for classroom practice – everything she says is useful in some way! Moreover, she is a genuine, kind person, who truly cares about her work and her students. I’d love to follow in her footsteps one day.
If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with…
…my family. I love them dearly and never seem to have as much time as I would wish to spend with them. I love college and the independence it gives me, but sometimes nothing hits the spot like a home-cooked meal and relaxed conversation.
If I knew I could not fail, I would…
I’ve always struggled with choosing exactly what I want to do with my life. There are so many possible careers I would like to explore and subjects I would like to learn. If I couldn’t fail (and still had time to sleep!), I feel sure that I would pursue them all.
After graduation, I plan to…
…teach high school mathematics and eventually return to UGA to pursue my Ph.D. in mathematics education and teach at the college level.
The one UGA experience I will always remember will be…
… a group of friends and me have gathering to watch the TV shows Desperate Housewives and Grey’s Anatomy. I’ll always cherish these nights of giggling girls and talking about nonsense as we unwind in preparation for the coming school week.
