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Before coming to the University of Arkansas, I grew up in Olathe, Kansas. I went to public school my whole life and had a wonderful K-12 experience. There were ups and there were downs, but I always came out on top! Outside of school, I had an opportunity to work with kids all throughout high school, as I was a gymnastics and swim coach for kids ages 3-14 for about 4 years. This job is where my love for kids and helping them achieve their goals grew. This job is what inspired me to pursue a teaching career. I graduated from Olathe South High School in 2023, where I decided I was going to move 3.5 hours from home to attend the University of Arkansas and get a degree in Elementary Education!

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My smart friends and I at our 4.0 banquet from last spring semester!! (The semester that I started taking major specific courses.)

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Life as a current Elementary Education Major

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Life as a current Elementary Education Major

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I am currently a sophomore at the University of Arkansas, majoring in Elementary Education. I have had the opportunity to take several education classes specific for this major, and all of them have been my favorite classes! They are all so fun and interesting! Last year in my Intro to Education class, we were able to go to various schools from elementary-high school, and observe a classroom for several hours at a time. It was amazing to put myself into the teacher's perspective for once after being on the student side my whole life. We observed and reflected on every single detail, from the classroom layout and decorations, to the lesson plan and teacher/student interactions. I am grateful that I have gotten to take so many courses that have expanded my skill set for my future teaching career. All of my teachers and friends I have met along the way have been so encouraging, inspiring, and supportive during my journey so far! I am forever thankful!

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When I graduate from the University of Arkansas, I plan to stay here for another year to get my masters in order to expand my job opportunities. I then plan to move back to Kansas, and find a teaching job there. If I am able, I would ideally like to teach first grade. I plan to spend lots of time decorating my future classroom with cozy lighting and fun decorations. I believe that creating a learning environment that students can feel comfortable in, is essential to the learning process. Thankfully, the classes I have taken, and many more to come, have encouraged me to think about how I want to set up my classroom, as well as what teaching style best fits me. I cannot wait to see what the future holds, and I am already looking forward to meeting my future little friends!