Former Field Hockey Great Goes Extra Yard in the Classroom
Oct 09 | General
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers Athletics teamed up with the College Football Playoff Foundation and the Big Ten Conference last month for the annual 'Extra Yard for Teachers' initiative. This program provides funding to support local educators and their classrooms. Coordinated by Scarlet Knights For Life, Rutgers field hockey alum Gianna Glatz was this year's recipient of a $1,000 gift card in recognition of her outstanding work in the classroom.
The Block R has remained a meaningful part of Glatz's life since her time as a student-athlete. That connection has come full circle in her third-grade classroom at Littlebrook Elementary School in Princeton.
As she kicked off her fifth year of teaching, Glatz was surprised in her classroom on Sept. 19 when Rutgers honored her with a $1,000 DonorsChoose gift card. For Glatz, the recognition was both unexpected and personal.
"I was beyond surprised," Glatz said. "When I saw the Block R come in with the Scarlet Knight, I was like, man, they really do a great job of taking care of us with life after sport."
The Co-Big Ten Player of the Year as a senior, Glatz helped guide the field hockey team to capture the first Big Ten Tournament Championship in Rutgers history. She closed out a stellar career finishing fourth in the all-time record books in goals-against-average and fifth in career saves as a five-year starter at goalkeeper. A four-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, Glatz served as president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and was active in the community through her work with Scarlet Knights For Life.
Glatz has spent her entire five-year career at Littlebrook Elementary, where she now teaches third grade after starting as a leave replacement. A graduate of Rutgers University's five-year teacher preparation program, she holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's in education.
Glatz always knew she wanted to be a teacher. Growing up, she loved school and credits the positive experiences she had with her own teachers for inspiring her to follow in their footsteps.
Today, Glatz works to create that same positive experience for her students by emphasizing growth mindset, teamwork, and a sense of community within her classroom. This environment allows students to support one another while also continuing to challenge themselves. One of the most rewarding parts of teaching, she said, is watching students persevere through something that initially seems difficult and eventually experience the moment when everything clicks.
"I love when kids persevere," Glatz said. "Seeing kids working hard and then achieving something that at first they might have been a little bit timid about and then just seeing that growth and that, 'Oh, I got it' moment. That's just so awesome."
Littlebrook Principal Lisa Caudill, witnesses Glatz's commitment firsthand.
"Ms. Glatz brings energy, enthusiasm, and joy to the classroom every day," Caudill said. "She creates an environment where students feel safe to take risks, confident in their abilities, and connected to both their school and Princeton communities. Most impressive is her ability to foster connection – not only between herself and each child, but among her students as well – building a classroom community rooted in respect, friendship, and belonging."
Glatz has not yet decided how she will use the $1,000 gift card. She plans to work with Caudill to consider how the funds can make the greatest impact in her classroom. She is even considering getting input from her students as well.
"I think it might be funny to see what some of my kids suggest ," Glatz said.
However she ultimately decides to spend the money, Glatz hopes the resources will benefit the students who make teaching so rewarding for her.
To her third graders, $1,000 might just sound like a large number, but Glatz said she is looking forward to them eventually seeing what that support can do for their everyday learning. As a teacher, she knows how much of a difference additional classroom resources can make. To her, the award represents another opportunity to pour back into the students she works to encourage and support every day while also bringing a little piece of Rutgers along with her.
The Block R has remained a meaningful part of Glatz's life since her time as a student-athlete. That connection has come full circle in her third-grade classroom at Littlebrook Elementary School in Princeton.
As she kicked off her fifth year of teaching, Glatz was surprised in her classroom on Sept. 19 when Rutgers honored her with a $1,000 DonorsChoose gift card. For Glatz, the recognition was both unexpected and personal.
"I was beyond surprised," Glatz said. "When I saw the Block R come in with the Scarlet Knight, I was like, man, they really do a great job of taking care of us with life after sport."
The Co-Big Ten Player of the Year as a senior, Glatz helped guide the field hockey team to capture the first Big Ten Tournament Championship in Rutgers history. She closed out a stellar career finishing fourth in the all-time record books in goals-against-average and fifth in career saves as a five-year starter at goalkeeper. A four-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, Glatz served as president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and was active in the community through her work with Scarlet Knights For Life.
Glatz has spent her entire five-year career at Littlebrook Elementary, where she now teaches third grade after starting as a leave replacement. A graduate of Rutgers University's five-year teacher preparation program, she holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's in education.
Glatz always knew she wanted to be a teacher. Growing up, she loved school and credits the positive experiences she had with her own teachers for inspiring her to follow in their footsteps.
Today, Glatz works to create that same positive experience for her students by emphasizing growth mindset, teamwork, and a sense of community within her classroom. This environment allows students to support one another while also continuing to challenge themselves. One of the most rewarding parts of teaching, she said, is watching students persevere through something that initially seems difficult and eventually experience the moment when everything clicks.
"I love when kids persevere," Glatz said. "Seeing kids working hard and then achieving something that at first they might have been a little bit timid about and then just seeing that growth and that, 'Oh, I got it' moment. That's just so awesome."
Littlebrook Principal Lisa Caudill, witnesses Glatz's commitment firsthand.
"Ms. Glatz brings energy, enthusiasm, and joy to the classroom every day," Caudill said. "She creates an environment where students feel safe to take risks, confident in their abilities, and connected to both their school and Princeton communities. Most impressive is her ability to foster connection – not only between herself and each child, but among her students as well – building a classroom community rooted in respect, friendship, and belonging."
Glatz has not yet decided how she will use the $1,000 gift card. She plans to work with Caudill to consider how the funds can make the greatest impact in her classroom. She is even considering getting input from her students as well.
"I think it might be funny to see what some of my kids suggest ," Glatz said.
However she ultimately decides to spend the money, Glatz hopes the resources will benefit the students who make teaching so rewarding for her.
To her third graders, $1,000 might just sound like a large number, but Glatz said she is looking forward to them eventually seeing what that support can do for their everyday learning. As a teacher, she knows how much of a difference additional classroom resources can make. To her, the award represents another opportunity to pour back into the students she works to encourage and support every day while also bringing a little piece of Rutgers along with her.
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