Why did you choose this degree -- and to pursue this degree at UNI?

I chose elementary education because teaching students is my passion. My favorite thing about education is when a student says "Miss Cormier look at this.” This might be a new dance they came up with, the paper they wrote or even their loose tooth. Being around a classroom of students is my happy place and something that comes very natural to me. I'm proud to be an educator and I'm proud to come from the University of Northern Iowa. I chose UNI because I knew it would prepare to be an excellent educator.

What path did you take to achieve your degree?

From the moment someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer was always a teacher. I would then add that I was going to attend UNI. Although I have always known what I wanted to do, the more students I was able to help learn, I discovered my true 'why' for my path to education. I came from a small town in southeast Iowa with an extremely supportive support system. I now realize how big of a blessing this is to live in a house with two parents who came to all of my extracurricular activities and supported me every step of the way. My goal as an educator is to be that support system for my future students. My future students are my 'why' and the reason I am on the path I am today. I want to create a classroom where my students are safe, welcome and always know that I am their number one supporter.

Describe your field experience and how it has prepared you for your career. 

During the teacher preparation program, I was able to do multiple field experiences at schools in the Cedar Valley, as well as out of state. I'm so grateful for the opportunities given to me at both the Cedar Falls and Waterloo school district. I am now currently student teaching in Kansas City, Kansas, and I can't thank UNI enough for giving me the opportunity to student teach out of state. I can say that the field experiences offered to me at UNI has given me the opportunities and tools I have needed to become an exceptional educator and prepared me for my next steps in the field.

What does completing your degree mean to you?

I am so proud to have completed my degree at UNI and use this degree to start my true passion. To me, this degree means the chance to positively impact young students who deserve a quality education. I am so excited to use my knowledge I obtained at UNI and apply to my future classroom.

What challenges did you face as you worked toward this degree – and how did you overcome them?

The biggest challenge I faced while earning my degree at UNI was balancing academics, work and extracurricular activities. I wanted to be very involved on campus, which sometimes was difficult when I was taking an overload of credits and working a part-time job to pay for my tuition. Something I reminded myself a lot during this period of time was that I needed to soak it all in as my time at UNI is very short. Looking back, I can see how the years flew by and I am glad what I was able to accomplish as a high scholar and an active student leader in the College of Education.

How did UNI help you achieve your goals?

UNI has a high quality teacher preparation program that creates the best of the best in the education field. As an educator, UNI helped me gain knowledge to become one of those educators. Attending UNI has left me with the confidence that I will succeed no matter the school, subject, or grade level. I'm grateful for the multitude of in-the-classroom experiences that UNI offered me throughout my undergraduate degree.

We often say UNI is student focused; a place where professors care--and teach; a place where learning happens in and out of the classroom;  and is perfectly sized. How do any of these statements ring true for you?

UNI is a place where professors care and they teach. I have had the opportunity to have many professors that stood out to me and helped shape me into the teacher I am today. Mason Kuhn was a professor for two semesters during my time at UNI and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from someone who is as passionate about education as him. He not only taught me the different ways to engage students in all subjects, but taught me the importance of building relationships inside and outside of the classroom. Another professor I had the privilege of working with was Carrie Elser. She was my student teaching supervisor and reminded me to not be too hard on myself and gave critical feedback as I completed my experience. Both Carrie and Mason played vital roles in my education, acting as professors who not only taught me to become an educator, but showed me that they cared about my success.

What’s your best memory of your time at UNI?

My favorite memory during my time at UNI would be during my last semester in Cedar Falls while I was doing the PDS Methods Block for education. Being able to partake in this program really set me up for success as I began student teaching, and now as I prepare for my career with 5th and 6th graders. The classmates I met during this experience are especially memorable, as well as the amazing professors that spent their semester with us. I loved coming to school on Methods of Social Studies days to spend time with Professor Audra Hootman, the 5th graders at Irving Elementary, and my other peers in my cohort. It was a great experience and something that I will cherish forever.

What advice would you give to students considering UNI?

As an education major, I would say the number one piece of advice would be to build those connections the minute you start your journey on campus at Cedar Falls. UNI is unique in that it's a smaller university, so that connections can be easily made. The classmates that are in your major classes in semester one will be your friends when you are buying your gap and gown. No matter where you are at in your degree, the professors you make connections with will be cheering you on even as you walk across the stage at McLeod.  I also would recommend all education majors to join Kappa Delta Phi. KDP was a big part of my time at UNI and gave me a lot of opportunities within the education field, including connecting with other educators at UNI.

Next steps? 

In August of 2024, I will be returning to southeast Iowa to teach 5th and 6th grade English language arts and social studies! I can't wait to see what the future holds for my future as a Panther alum!