SXU Senior Receives Dr. Meg Carroll Inclusive Education Award
Saint Xavier University (SXU) senior Janet Cortes Martinez has received the Dr. Meg Carroll Inclusive Education Award at the College of Liberal Arts and Education's Academic Awards Ceremony. Cortes, who is majoring in early childhood education with endorsements in elementary education, ESL/bilingual education, and Spanish K-12 education, is proud to receive the award, which reflects the effort, dedication and hard work she has invested in her time at Saint Xavier while learning to become an inclusive educator.
"Receiving the Dr. Meg Carroll Inclusive Education Award feels incredibly meaningful. It is especially significant because it honors Dr. Meg Carroll, who was an incredible mentor to me. She always encouraged me, believed in my potential, and guided me toward new opportunities that helped me grow both personally and professionally. The impact she had on me, and on so many others, will always be remembered," said Cortes.
Cortes is also grateful for Rania Sadeq, Ed.D., who has played a significant role in her growth as a future teacher.
"Dr. Sadeq has taught me valuable instructional strategies for creating inclusive, student-centered, and engaging learning environments where all students can thrive. I have carried these lessons into my field placements and my student teaching experience, and they will continue to shape the educator that I am becoming," said Cortes.
Cortes, part of the Class of 2026, will be graduating with a 4.0 GPA and has been consistently recognized on the Dean's List throughout her time at SXU.
"I have worked hard to maintain academic excellence and continuously grow as an educator and have taken the steps to expand my qualifications by completing additional coursework and exams to earn endorsements, which has strengthened both my content knowledge and my ability to effectively support a wide range of learners," said Cortes.
Cortes was drawn to teaching at a young age, when her older sister would take her to her summer camp job. At just eight years old, she helped her sister prepare activities and enjoyed supporting the children in her classroom. As she grew older, she continued pursuing that passion by tutoring fifth-grade students who had recently moved from Mexico.
"By helping them adjust academically and build confidence, this experience confirmed my passion for helping children and making a meaningful difference in their lives. It also strengthened my commitment to ensuring every child feels safe, valued and heard in my future classroom," said Cortes.
Cortes appreciates that the education courses at Saint Xavier have prepared her to create developmentally appropriate learning experiences, build strong relationships with students, and use differentiated instruction to meet the needs of all learners. Through coursework, case studies, and research projects, she has developed a deeper understanding of child development and how to use assessments to guide instruction effectively.
"The combination of theory and hands-on practice through my field experiences and student teaching has been especially valuable, as it allowed me to apply what I learned in real classroom settings. Saint Xavier's student teaching program provided exposure to many aspects of teaching that could only be learned firsthand in a classroom. One of the most meaningful moments was saying goodbye to my students at the end of my placement. Watching their growth throughout the past months and building relationships with them reminded me of the powerful impact teachers can have," said Cortes.
Cortes is grateful for the high-impact experiences she participated in at SXU, including a tutoring program with the nonprofit organization Corazón a Corazón, where she worked as a tutor for first through eighth-grade students.
"This experience gave me valuable hands-on experience with students across different age groups and allowed me to develop important teaching skills before entering student teaching. I learned how to document student progress, adapt instruction for different grade levels, and create a supportive learning environment," said Cortes.
Cortes is very involved on campus, serving as secretary of the Education Club, dedicated to promoting equitable access to education and advocating for inclusive learning opportunities for all students. In her role as secretary, she strengthened her leadership skills while collaborating with the executive board to help plan meaningful campus and community events, including the annual book sale, a community film screening that raised awareness about selective mutism, and initiatives that provided educational resources to support local schools and the community. Cortes was also inducted into the Kappa Delta Pi Education Society, which recognizes academic achievement and commitment to the field of education.
Cortes cherishes the memories she's made at SXU, especially the strong connections she has built with other students in the education major.
"It has been meaningful to support one another through our coursework, field experiences, and student teaching. Being able to share both the challenges and the rewarding moments of becoming educators has made the experience feel encouraging and collaborative. I also enjoyed stepping into diverse field placements ranging from preschool all the way to high school throughout my time at Saint Xavier. Each placement introduced me to a different perspective of teaching and helped me grow as an educator in different learning environments," said Cortes.
After graduation, Cortes plans to begin her career as an educator, where she hopes to make a meaningful and lasting impact on her students. In the future, she also plans to pursue a master's degree to continue her education and is excited about the new opportunities and growth that lie ahead.