Why did you choose to pursue this degree at UNI?
I knew that UNI was the best place to get an education degree and was told UNI was the "Harvard of teaching.”

How did you decide on your path of study?
I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher. After liking Spanish class in high school I entered UNI as a Spanish ed major, but my heart was not in it. I knew that my passion was elementary education. So, I changed my major to elementary ed. Along the way I learned about all the opportunities in special education, so I became an instructional strategist as well. 

What does completing your degree mean to you?
Everything. The way I see it, when you are an education major,  every door that is opened for you is a door that is opened for a future child. A degree opens so many doors full of opportunities that I can't wait to explore, because every opportunity in this field  allows me to leave an impact on students. Completing my degree is a certification in becoming a difference maker, and there is nothing more exciting and promising than that. 

What challenges have you faced as you've worked toward this degree – and how have you overcome them?
This degree was not earned easily. I had to commit to my future and the profession which meant losing sleep to write lesson plans for the needs of each child, or skipping social events with friends to finish class projects or study for tests. I would say that this was my biggest challenge – managing time. I overcame this challenge by carefully planning out my day, making sure I made time for myself, and communicating with professors (who were very understanding). 

How did UNI help you achieve your goals?
UNI provided the most knowledgeable, kind, and motivating professors across several content areas. I was being taught valuable content that helped me understand what I was teaching while also learning how to teach from experts or previous teachers themselves. They challenged me with rigorous content that pushed me to become a better teacher, and they put us in the field as much as possible to get lived experience. My goal is to always be the best teacher I can be, and they made sure that I grew each day to be just that.    

What’s been your favorite memory at UNI?
My favorite memories at UNI always took place at or with my CME (Center for Multicultural Education) family. From late nights doing homework with karaoke breaks, to BSU (Black Student Union) meetings, to hosting educational events about the Black experience, there was always love and laughter in the room. 

What advice would you give to students considering UNI?
Get involved!!! Find people, a place or an organization that you can call family. They will make your good days better, and pick you up on the bad ones. Becoming involved can take your mind off the stress of school, but also motivate you to succeed. 

I would also say to major in something you feel passionate about. It's okay to change your major until you find something that feels right, and it may take a few tries to do so. But I promise school feels less like work and more like an opportunity when you are learning about things that excite you and will prepare you for your future career. 

Next steps?
With my degree in elementary education and certificate in special education, I will be moving to Texas to student teach. After that I plan on going to graduate school to get a master's degree in the area of human development in education and social justice education. After that, I hope to teach in urban schools and work with their communities.