By Greg Vlassopoulos
Divida (Dia) Veneziano Kitchengs ’18 earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary and Special Education with a minor in psychology from Immaculata. She then attended West Chester University where she received her master’s degree in reading and earned a reading specialist certification, because she realizes how essential these skills are to struggling readers. Her education journey did not end there, as she graduated this spring with another master’s degree in educational leadership back at her alma mater, Immaculata University. She chose to earn a second master’s degree because she wanted to learn more about systems within schools and about connecting stakeholders to align beliefs and values.
After two years as a teacher at Germantown Academy, Kitchengs became a fourth-grade teacher at Garnet Valley Elementary School (GVES) in September of 2020. Last school year, she received her level II certification, tenure and a distinguished rating from the school district. She is currently rewriting the science curriculum for fourth grade. Beyond the classroom, she contributes to the school’s data team. Kitchengs says that she truly discovered her passion for education and helping others while at GVES. Throughout the past four years, she has served within the community and school district by donating to different charities each month, running an after-school sports club for students, as well as offering tutoring services to students.
Kitchengs’ service as part of her school community is a continuation of the service she engaged in during her undergraduate education at Immaculata University, which included weekly trips to the food bank and her service trip to Peru.
With all her education, skills and service experience, Kitchengs hopes to continue to learn and grow in new ways to be the best teacher she can be.
The Scientia Floret Virtute Award recognizes recent alumni who have graduated within the last 10 years and who have made outstanding contributions to their profession, community or service to Immaculata University while upholding the mission and values of Immaculata University.
