I'm studying Secondary Education English, and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at Michigan State University. I will be graduating in Spring of 2017, and then completing my student teaching internship by Spring 2018.
I'm an avid reader spending most of my free time reading new novels and trying to keep up with the ever-expanding genre of Young Adult Literature! My favorite young adult series is still Harry Potter, and my favorite book overall is The Catcher in The Rye. J.D. Salinger is still my favorite author. I'm currently working in Haslett Public Schools with the after school program, Kids Connection. Along with working at Kids Connection, I also substitute teach in the surrounding districts. When I'm not working, I enjoy traveling, spending time with friends, and watching netflix.
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Summer AbroadDuring the Summer of 2015, I studied abroad in Santander, Spain. While abroad, I explored Barcelona, Madrid, and London during the weekends. It was an incredible experience that allowed me to expand my language skills and knowledge of Spanish culture. This is why I strongly encourage an immersion program, and students expanding their knowledge through experiences.
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Urban Immersion Fellowship in Detroit Public SchoolsLast summer, I spent 7 weeks working in Detroit Public Schools through the Urban Immersion Fellowship at Michigan State University. I was partnered with a teacher at Western International High School, and together we taught English 9 for students that previously failed during the school year. I created lesson plans, taught, and worked with students to raise their grades. Working in an urban setting was new for me, and I learned a lot about classroom management and different strategies urban districts use to engage students. It was interesting to learn about these students and their stories. I learned how to be more patient, understanding, and engaging from these students. It was an awesome experience, and I just applied to participate again this summer!
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The Future TeacherAfter graduation, I'm excited to start my student teaching. It is going to be great to have the opportunity to work with the same students and mentor teacher for a year, and I'm looking forward to gaining even more experiences and skills. After completing my student teaching, I would like to get a position as a high school English teacher in a district near my family. While all literature is interesting to me, I'm particularly interested in British Literature, American Literature, and Young Adult Literature. I'm excited and anxious to see what the future holds!
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Photo used under Creative Commons from Patty Mooney