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!
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!
