Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Digital Interview with Brianna Jentz Conducted by English Faculty, April 2013


1.) What did you study at UW-Platteville?

When I first entered UW-Platteville, I was solely an English literature major, but I then quickly added a second major in history, which was followed by a certificate in writing and a minor in international studies.

2.) How did it feel/what was it like to be named valedictorian?

For me, as it is for many graduates, graduation was a blend between excitement and uncertainty. I’m not sure if I felt any differently about graduation as the valedictorian, but it was an honor to be one of the first ones to enter the gym on graduation day and to have lunch with the Chancellor, my family, and other honorees before the ceremony. I was also very humbled by so many kind words (and the potluck that the Writing Center organized) after all three LAE Valedictorians were formally announced.

3.)  What did you get out of working at the writing center?
  
I started working at the Writing Center right about the time that I feel like I found my niche in college. While my freshman and sophomore years were important in further developing my work ethic and establishing my own sense of what I wanted to accomplish, I feel that it was not until after I studied abroad in Scotland and then returned to UW-Platteville and delved deeper in the realm of research that I finally felt that I was working with all of the professors and doing all of the work that I was eager to do. Working at the Writing Center added the opportunities that I had to interact with fellow writers and scholars as well as helped me solidify my own practice of the writing process. Once of my favorite elements of the Writing Center as a tutor was seeing how a paper is developed from a mere brainstorming sessions to a fully developed submission.

4. A) Were you involved with any organizations/groups on campus?
Yes. Throughout my time at UW-Platteville, I was in a variety of groups, including, though not limited to, History Club, French Club, Students for Education Abroad, Phi Kappa Phi, Alpha Lambda Delta, and Phi Eta Sigma.

B) Where there any activities you were involved with on campus that weren't organization/group related?

Yes! I seized the opportunity to study abroad in Scotland. Plus I had the excellent opportunity to conduct historical research on the 23rd Special Headquarters, an American WWII deceptive task force, at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland through a Pioneer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (PURF) sponsored by the UW-Platteville Office of Sponsored Programming. I am so grateful that Dr. Krugler encouraged me to apply for that fellowship and then later served as my adviser throughout the entirety of my PURF. I was also an intern editor for "Stylus: An Anthology of Freshman Writing," which was a wonderful opportunity to work with a wide variety of students and editors.

5.)  What class did you find the most and least helpful?

I’m sure that at the time I was taking some classes that I complained about one or more elements about various classes, but each class taught me something; whether it’s about my own learning style or organization, I did learn something.

6.)  Do any faculty and staff stand out in your memory?

In no particular order: Dr. Daniel Dahlquist; Dr. Keith Hale; Dr. Laura Beadling; Dr. David Krugler; Dr. Adam Stanley; Dr. Melissa Gormley; Dr. Amanda Tucker; Dr. Amy Parsons; Dr. Stormy Stipe; Dr. Kory Wein; Evelyn Martens; Dr. Russ Brickey; Tami Boebel; Barb Weinbrenner; Professor Rebecca Gottlieb; Dr. Laura Anderson; Jenni Krahn; Dr. Scott Nikolai; Dr. Ciesielski; and many others.

7)  What do you hope to do now that you've graduated? What are you doing currently?

Well, I hope to do what most college graduates hope to accomplish; I want to be happy. Currently, I am a program assistant for the UW-Platteville Writing and Tutoring Resource Center where I assist with the activities of the Peer Assisted Learning program, "Stylus," and the Writing Center.

8.) What advice would you give to students who are working their way towards graduation?

As a writer, don’t discredit general education courses. We all need topics, and you would be surprised where inspiration may lurk.

Friday, March 22, 2013

Digital Interview with Jessica Weber Conducted by English Faculty, March 2013



1.)  What did you study at UW-Platteville?

I studied Spanish Education and English Education.

2.)  Tell us about your experience from freshman year to senior year.

I actually transferred to UW-Platteville second semester of my freshman year.  It was an excellent decision.  When I transferred, I declared my majors in Spanish and English Ed.  I had so many awesome experiences at UW-Platteville.  I grew into the person I am today and learned so many valuable life skills.  I really came out of my shell during my time at Platteville.  I loved the atmosphere there and that I was truly able to make some great connections with my professors and peers.  Today, I am a teacher and am using all of the tools I gained at UW-Platteville each and every day.  I still know I have a support system which I gained while obtaining my degree at UW-Platteville.

3.)  Tell us about your time studying abroad.

I studied abroad for 2 months in Buenos Aires, Argentina the summer after my sophomore year.  To be completely honest, I didn't want to go!  It was required for my major so I signed up for a program and told myself I had to do it.  The experiences truly changed my life!  I lived with a host family so I was completely immersed in the language and culture.  I took classes there and spent time meeting new friends and exploring the amazing capital of Argentina.  When I returned from Argentina, I was a different person.  After that experience, I was a Study Abroad Ambassador where I spoke to students interested in studying abroad.  I highly recommend EVERYBODY study abroad, even if you're scared!  It's definitely worth it!

5.)  Tell us about your work experiences related to school.

I worked on campus in the ACES office for 3 1/2 years which allowed me to interact with my peers, faculty, incoming freshman, and parents.

I also had several awesome volunteer experiences that I was able to get through UW-Platteville.  I had several tutoring experiences and also taught Spanish to middle school students at a private school for a semester.

6.)  Were you involved with any organizations/groups on campus?

I was involved in with Students for Study Abroad, the Study Abroad Ambassador Program, Kappa Delta Pi, Phi Kappa Phi, Coro D'Angeli, and The Alliance.

7.) Where there any activities you were involved with on campus that weren't organization/group related?

I'm not sure!  Maybe this would be Coro D'Angeli which is the Women's Choir on campus.

8.)  What class did you find the most helpful? Which one least?

This is a really hard question.  I truly loved all of my classes at UW-Platteville.  Probably the least helpful course I took (and hardest) was before I transferred to UW-Platteville and it was Calculus.  As a Spanish and English Teacher, I really don't need calculus in any way, shape, or form!  Still, I do use math every day!  I never totally trust my grade book and I calculate all of my students' grades by hand at the end of each quarter!  So math is important -- just not calculus!

Hands down, my student teaching experience was most beneficial.  Actually being in the classroom and working with an experienced teacher was the best learning environment.  As for classes on campus, I really had many that were super helpful.  I think every class has a purpose, even if it's just to make our brains work harder! (I tell that to my students sometimes .  As a teacher now, I would have to say my most helpful classes would be my methods courses.  They really got down to the basics of "how" to teach the content.  I use the books from those classes often!

9.)  Do any staff/students/people stand out in your memory?

Really, there are many staff members who stand out in my mind that helped me get to graduation and be the teacher I am today.  So many people from the English Department, Spanish Department, School of Education, and Clinical Experiences helped me with all kinds of questions.  Still, my adviser, professor, and university supervisor as a student teacher, Professor Chris Schulenburg, went above and beyond to help me find success in my undergraduate career.  He definitely helped me discover the job I currently have and he is still a mentor for me today, offering teaching suggestions and answering questions.  Without his guidance, I know I would not be half the teacher I am today.  I can only hope I help as many students as he has in my career in education.


10.)  What do you hope to do now that you've graduated?

Well, I have a job as a Spanish Teacher at Highland Community Schools.

12.) What advice would you give to students who are working their way towards graduation?

Keep doing your best!  Some days are really hard but it is totally worth it when you walk across the stage and get your diploma.  Also, enjoy every moment.  The time really, truly flies by.  I love my job but there is nothing like your time as an undergraduate.  Meet lots of people, connect with your professors, and listen to your advisers.  Learn everything you can!