College of Education (COE)
OTECP Announces February 2026 Residency Winners
Tuesday, 24 February 2026 - The College of Education celebrates February 2026 Student Teacher, Mentor Teacher and Supervisor of the Month for outstanding clinical practice and partnership.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The College of Education Office of Teacher Education and Clinical Practice (OTECP) is proud to announce the recipients of Student Teacher, Mentor Teacher and Supervisor of the Month for February 2026: Hannah Ringold, Savannah Heck-Howard and Marcia White.
Ringold, from Bartlett, Tenn., is a Teaching All Learners major completing her Residency II placement at Altruria Elementary School in the Bartlett City Schools district. Her experience is especially meaningful, as she is teaching at the same school she once attended as a student.
“This recognition means a lot to me,” Ringold said. “I take pride in putting my best work forward and always striving to be a better educator not for myself, but for my future students. I am very grateful to have my hard work recognized.”
Heck-Howard, a kindergarten teacher at Campus School, has been teaching for 10 years and serving as a mentor teacher for four. She said mentoring future educators continues to be one of the most rewarding parts of her career.
“This recognition truly means so much to me because mentoring is something I genuinely love,” she said. “It brings me back to the passion and excitement I felt when I was in my own teacher preparation program. Being able to now be that support for someone else is incredibly meaningful.”
She added that her favorite part of working with residency candidates is watching their growth and confidence develop over time. “From observing and asking questions to confidently leading instruction and building relationships with students, that transformation is powerful to see,” Heck-Howard said.
For White, a clinical supervisor with OTECP who has served in her current role since 2019, she said the recognition reflects her commitment to supporting future teachers as they develop their professional identity.
“Being recognized as Supervisor of the Month is both humbling and affirming,” White said. “I strive to help candidates move beyond simply delivering lessons to becoming thoughtful practitioners who understand their influence and commit to continuous improvement.”
An alumna of the University of Memphis, White said the experience has come full circle.
“The University of Memphis Teacher Education program challenged me to sharpen my thinking, ground my work in research and approach education as both a craft and a responsibility,” she said. “It is an honor to now help prepare the next generation of reflective, intentional educators.”
