Amanda Kincella graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Special Education from Mercyhurst University in 2016. As an educator, she says that the 2019-2020 school year will be one that she is likely to never forget.

Amanda’s father, US Army Reserve Major David Beardi, was severely injured by an improvised explosive device (IED) one month shy of completing his 17-month mission in Iraq. It was his third and most severe IED incident, resulting in a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

In early January 2020, Amanda’s husband, a Naval Officer, was relocated to Norfolk, Virginia. A few short weeks later she started teaching first grade in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Six weeks later she received news that school would be virtual for the rest of the year.

When asked about teaching during COVID-19, Amanda said, “navigating a Zoom call with 25 seven-year-olds is quite the experience! However, we are finding new ways to connect and learn by sharing our pets, what we are reading, and using our favorite snacks as math manipulatives. This experience has reminded me how much I love being a teacher and helping students learn, whether it be in the classroom or through a screen, this is what I am meant to do.”

She says, “NGS has had a tremendous impact on my life. I cannot thank them enough for all that they did to make my dream of becoming a teacher come true. Their support throughout college made it possible for me to focus on my education classes. This has allowed me to teach in multiple states (Pennsylvania, New York, Texas, and Virginia).

“Thank you NGS for everything you have done to help me and every other student working toward their dreams.”