Marissa Hammett

2024 Gilman Scholarship Recipient

Hometown

Evansville, IN

Major

Elementary Education

College

College of Education

 

Marissa Hammett was awarded the Gilman Scholarship to go to Japan where she will complete the second half of her student teaching. She will be placed at a Japanese kindergarten in Okayama. Conversations with students drew her towards her career as an educator. Children have a constant curiosity which provides an avenue for designing lessons that encourage practical application.

 

One of Marissa’s past jobs involved working at a sushi restaurant. Learning the art of sushi grew her interest in Japanese culture. While overseas, she looks forward to exploring more of Japan’s culture and history. She is also excited to observe new teaching methods and learn the Japanese language from her co-teachers.

 

An educator at heart, Marissa does not intend to keep her experiences from Gilman to herself. She will share her experiences and knowledge of Japan with her American students even while still in Japan and again once she returns to the United States. Using photography, which is one of her hobbies, she will build her follow-on project. Her students will give her drawings of themselves to take with her to Japan, and she will take pictures of the places she visits with the drawings. While showing her students the possibilities in their future, Marissa will promote international and cultural exchange to the next generation.