I knew that I wanted to be a teacher from a young age. My second grade teacher, Mrs. Price, gave me a passion for learning, especially reading, from a young age. As I grew up, I always remembered her. The same was true about my sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Liedlich. Even when I graduated from my elementary school, I went back and visited my elementary teachers because they had such a huge impact on my life.
When in high school, I applied to only a small number of schools with strong education departments. The big factor that sealed the deal for me with Seattle Pacific University was the fact that SPU has a four-year credential program. This was a large factor in my choice.
Four years later, I've learned that the SPU program prepares its students far beyond the normal means of any ordinary education program. The Integrated Studies program exposes us to content from all the key content areas. By the time I began student teaching, I felt confident in my abilities to teach to my students. My students felt it, too.
One of the best days in my class was after an introductory math lesson in division. My second grade students can be a handful, but the lesson went well, and the students came up to me afterward and said they had a really fun time in math class that day — something that I didn't expect with division!
The SPU Education Program has been the richest, hardest, and most rewarding experience of my life. There were times where I was pushed beyond my limits, but the support of the faculty and my friends in the program allowed me to graduate with my teaching credentials.
I plan to teach either in Seattle, or in my great home state of California. I don't know where I will be living, but I plan to be in a classroom making a difference in the lives of my students!
This program will put you ahead of other education departments — giving you the resources to become a master teacher. Go Falcons!