Photo caption: (left to right) College of Education & Human Development Dean Paul Alberto, donor Cynthia Kuhlman and scholarship recipient Osiris Zelaya pose for a photo on stage at the college's 2026 Scholars Recognition Luncheon.
story by Susan Fishman
Whether teaching, tutoring or giving feedback on student work, Osiris Zelaya wants her students to feel their voices matter.
Over the past year, Zelaya has tutored Spanish learners in Georgia State University’s CIRCLE Center, gained practical experience through ESOL student teaching and is finishing the year teaching Elementary Spanish 1002 as a graduate instructor. Her goal is to become both a Spanish and English (ESOL/bilingual) teacher who helps students recognize the value of being bilingual and multilingual – skills that open opportunities, foster confidence and build cultural pride.
“My passion for education comes from my own experiences as a bilingual Latina navigating schools where my languages and cultural identity were not always affirmed,” she said. “These experiences inspired me to create classrooms where students feel seen, supported and empowered to embrace their full linguistic and cultural selves.”
Zelaya’s dedication earned her the Susan Crim-McClendon Teacher Leader Scholarship, which recognizes a College of Education & Human Development student currently enrolled in a teaching certification program who is committed to serving in an urban school setting. She is also a recipient of the Dr. Cynthia Kuhlman and Dr. Wayne Sengstock Scholarship. This scholarship supports a student in the college who previously attended Drew Charter School, Centennial Place Academy or another Atlanta Public School, and who helps promote a diversity of viewpoints and lived experiences within the teacher workforce.
“Receiving these scholarships means a great deal to me,” she said. “They represent both meaningful support and a reminder that others believe in my goals as an educator. They also motivate me to continue working toward the kind of educator I hope to become.”
Zelaya’s goal is to teach Spanish at the college level, while also being open to teaching ESOL or Spanish in Georgia’s K-12 schools, and continue supporting students from diverse backgrounds.
“I want my future classroom to be a place where students build confidence, develop their language skills and feel that who they are is valued,” she said. “I am especially interested in supporting multilingual learners and helping students connect language learning to real life, culture and community. No matter the setting, I hope my work contributes to greater representation, stronger student support and learning environments that help students see new possibilities for themselves.”