The SUNY Old Westbury School of Education welcomed 16 students into Alpha Theta Xi, the campus’ chapter of Kappa Delta Pi an international honor society for teacher educators.
Kappa Delta Pi, a National Professional Association and Honor Society for Educators, has more than 20,000 active members and 650 university and college chapters.
“Membership in a chapter of Kappa Delta Pi is special honor,” said Blidi Stemn, counselor and founder of the Alpha Theta Xi Chapter at SUNY Old Westbury and chair of Childhood Education and Literacy Department within the School of Education. “This is a distinction that recognizes students who consistently put in the work and who show a strong commitment to becoming excellent educators."
The students inducted into Alpha Theta Xi during the April 9, 2026 ceremony are:
- Laura Cadena (Childhood Education)
- Molly Delaney (Special Education)
- Tess Delaney (Adolescence Education)
- Kerrin Denue (Adolescence Education)
- Lauren Elliott (Special Education)
- Lauren Genna (Special Education)
- Jenna Herbst (Childhood Education)
- Melanie Hernandez (Special Education)
- Oluwadarasimi Johnson (Special Education)
- Marie Lindor (Special Education)
- Nicholas Martinez (Adolescence. Education)
- Daniela Morales (Childhood Education, Bilingual Extension)
- Isabella Osorno (Special Education)
- Elizabeth Schade (Special Education)
- Mallory Vannoni (Adolescence. Education)
- Samantha Wilson (Childhood Education)
Ten members who are graduating in May 2026 were also celebrated during the ceremony while a core of officers were installed.
Eligibility requirements differ for undergraduate and graduate students. To become a member as an undergraduate, a student must have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) and have at least six semester hours of education courses, in progress, or completed. Graduate students must be accepted into a graduate program and pursuing coursework in education. Students who are in-service professionals must submit proof of an undergraduate degree via an unofficial transcript. If the teacher is licensed and teaching and has a baccalaureate degree, there is no GPA requirement.
Read more about the Alpha Theta Xi and other student organizations within the School of Education.