Service Work Prepares Education Student for a Teaching Career
Gabriella V. Alcamo knows well the foundation of St. John’s University’s commitment to helping its students reach their goals. She is enrolled in a five-year, dual-degree program in The School of Education on the Staten Island, NY, campus, which allows her to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Childhood Education in 2023, followed in 2024 by a Master of Science degree in Childhood Education specializing in Students with Disabilities in Grades 1–6.
“The University’s main concern is for the success of its students,” she said. “The faculty and huge alumni base create a close-knit and supportive environment that helps students become their own success stories.”
That closeness has persisted throughout Gabriella’s years at St. John’s, despite a variety of challenges she and her fellow students have faced. “Resilience is the theme of my St. John’s experience,” she explained. “The COVID-19 pandemic happened during the spring semester of my first year. St. John’s has done its best to keep the community intact and to safely bring us back together.”
Noting that resilience is defined as the ability to recover quickly from difficulties, Gabriella added, “These last few years haven’t been easy on anyone, but St. John’s has put every effort into bouncing back to the institution that I was eager to be a part of when I was selecting my college.”
Her commitment to service activities is a source of great personal satisfaction. Gabriella participates in University Service Day every year, as well as the Midnight Run, which are both operated by the Campus Ministry program at St. John’s. Through her sorority, Phi Eta Chi, she is part of a monthly fundraising collection for charity, selecting a different local charity each month to donate to their cause.
“Our sorority stands for faith, education, and charity,” Gabriella said. “There are many opportunities the University provides that allow organizations to come together and give back to the community around us.”
Her service work also helps Gabriella prepare for her future career as a teacher. “Teaching is all about helping your students and elevating them. Through service, you experience those same feelings—and that is very rewarding,” she said. “St. John’s is my home away from home.”
Gabriella
Staten Island, NY
In the Classroom
Childhood Education with a concentration in Psychology
In the Community
President’s Society
Phi Eta Chi (Sorority)
John Dewey Society
Dean’s Scholar
Catholic Scholars, Campus Ministry Student Assistant
Student Ambassador
In the World
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