How was your experience in the MAP 4+1 program?
My experience in the MAP 4+1 program was the best decision for me. I am not going to lie, it was the toughest year of my life, but I'm so glad I completed the program. It has helped me so much in my first year of teaching.
How did your experience at Ursuline help your career journey? How does it show up in your current work with students?
My experience at Ursuline tremendously helped in my career journey because I was placed in a classroom on the first day of the school year. I received a student-teaching placement at my high school alma mater, Avon Lake High School, and I learned so much from my mentor teacher. The professors in the MAP 4+1 Program chose the best placement for me, with the best mentor teacher for me too! I was challenged but ultimately those challenges and the rigor of this program allowed me to become the teacher that I am today.
My student-teaching experience is what helped me the most in how I work with my students today. It was so unique and beneficial to be able to experience a full-school year at one school. Every day I think back to the lessons that I learned in my student-teaching placement because those experiences help guide my decision-making today. My student-teaching experience has made my first year of teaching so much easier. I have received compliments from the administration at Elyria Catholic about how my lessons are beyond what they would expect from a first-year teacher.
This program allowed me to earn a job teaching at Elyria Catholic High School in Elyria, Ohio. I received the job offer a week before graduating with my Master's in Education from Ursuline. My graduation day from Ursuline College with my master’s degree is one I will always remember. On my graduation day, I verbally accepted the job offer and ran in my last collegiate track meet. Ursuline College provided me with numerous opportunities to experience growth and success beyond the classroom.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experience as a student at Ursuline College?
In addition to my academics, I really appreciated that I was able to continue my collegiate cross-country and track career at Ursuline College during my graduate year. When I transferred to Ursuline College from Lorain County Community College, my decision to run cross country and track was a major factor in my decision-making to attend Ursuline College. I would not have made it through my graduate year of the MAP 4+1 program without the support of Head Cross Country and Track Coach, Alaric Best. He has been and continues to be, a huge supporter of my studies, athletics, and career. I have learned so much from him and he was one of the people that influenced my decision to accept a cross-country and track assistant coaching position at Elyria Catholic High School. I will be forever grateful for my Ursuline College education.
