---
title: "'No Grander Challenge'"
date: 2022-10-07T18:00:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/no-grander-challenge"
section: Articles
---
# 'No Grander Challenge'

*October 7, 2022* — by [Liam Farrell](/author/liam-farrell)


> College of Education’s First 'Pinning Ceremony' Celebrates Students Heading Into Local Classrooms

*3 L0 A3809 1920x1080 — Elementary education majors pose at a reception after Friday's inaugural College of Education pinning ceremony.*

As teachers and school administrators across America work to recover from the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic and its lingering stress and staff shortages, University of Maryland students are stepping into the classroom with a definite sense of mission.

The [College of Education](https://education.umd.edu/) held a new ceremony on Friday for the 222 undergraduate and graduate students who are beginning yearlong internships at local schools. Each attendee received a pin with the college’s name and logo, in the same spirit of events elsewhere for nursing students.

“There is no grander challenge than ensuring every child … has access to high-quality education,” said Senior Vice President and Provost Jennifer King Rice, who spearheaded the ceremony’s creation while dean of the College of Education. “That starts with access to high-quality and diverse educators.”

The UMD students will be working in Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s county schools in elementary, middle and secondary education, as well as early education and early special education. Once they complete the program, they will be eligible for initial teacher certification in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., as well as U.S. territories.

The ceremony “symbolizes the contribution they are making to the world,” said Ebony Terrell Shockley, executive director for educator preparation. “We intend for it to signal that they are welcome, they are supported and they have a network.”



*A pin that featured a globe and says University of Maryland College of Education, pinned on jean material*




**Topics:** [Campus & Community](https://today.umd.edu/tags/campus-community)


**Tags:** [Education](https://today.umd.edu/topic/education), [Student Experience](https://today.umd.edu/topic/student-experience)


**Units:** [College of Education](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-education)