The University of Northern Iowa College of Education - Summer 2008 - (Page 9)

Student Scholarship Recipients Meet tomorrow’s promising educators William Beyer Major: Music Education & Composition Hometown: Vinton, Iowa Why did you choose UNI’s teacher education program? UNI is close to my hometown so my parents can easily attend concerts and other events. Also a friend’s parents recommended UNI as the best college for education in Iowa. I also visited campus during high school for music activities and feel comfortable here. How has your College of Education scholarship created opportunities for you? It enables me to focus on my studies and practicing instead of wondering how I’ll pay my next u-bill. I have time to drive to Vinton during the week and help my high school band director with jazz band rehearsal and sectionals for saxophone, my main instrument. What experiences have had a major impact on you? In high school I took an advanced placement practicum in the Vinton Middle School working with the band instructor. That experience motivated me to teach even more. One particular experience really impacted me. I was working with a sixth grade student on a percussion rhythm. He tried so many times to get it right and when he finally did the look on his face was so rewarding. I love music and want to share it with everyone. What would you tell prospective music education students about the teaching program? I know that UNI places 100 percent of the music education graduates who want jobs in Iowa. That’s a high recommendation. I also look forward to my education classes because I want to learn more about how children develop academically and musically and the psychology of working with students. What are your career plans? I want to start out teaching high school music. I’ll be certified to teach band, orchestra and choir. With composition, I’ll be able to write music for a high school band. Then I want to earn a master’s degree and possibly go on for a doctorate to teach music at the collegiate level. Anna Harkin Major: Elementary Education / Literacy Education minor Hometown: Ankeny, Iowa Why did you choose the UNI College of Education? For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to be a teacher. In Ankeny I had a number of amazing teachers who inspired me throughout the years. When I applied to UNI my cousin was a senior and told me about the many classroom opportunities she had in education. I think the hands-on experience at UNI is the most important part of the program. What academic experiences have had a major impact on you? In my remedial reading course I tutored a student in the Reading Clinic and our professors really pushed us to be great teachers. It was a lot of work and time, but so rewarding. It changed me as an educator. I also worked with Camp Adventure™ last summer in Germany at an Army base near Munich. I taught educational experiences to a pre-K class and learned a lot about behavior management. How has your College of Education scholarship created opportunities for you? It lets me focus on academics and do more teaching activities. I volunteer two days a week at two different area elementary schools through the Kappa Delta Pi elementary partnerships program. I’m also a Big Sister in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program. In addition, I’m the secretary of the Student Reading Association. I like to take risks and UNI has given me a lot of opportunities. What are your career plans? I’ll student teach in a year and am applying for an urban Iowa community because I want schools with diversity so that I can learn about other cultures. After graduating, I want to apply to the Teach for America program where I would teach for two years in an under-served urban public school. I also plan to receive my master’s degree in education. What would you tell other students interested in a UNI teaching program? I’d tell them how amazing the elementary education professors are. We have small classes and they really care about students and want us to succeed. I’d suggest that students get involved, be in a classroom as much as they can, and go beyond classroom requirements. Excellence in Education—Spring/Summer 2008 9

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The University of Northern Iowa College of Education - Summer 2008 Contents PLS Recommended For Statewide Mission Iowa Legislature Funds Regents' Math/Science Initiative School Counselors Reinstated For All Iowa School Districts Human Performance Center Dedicated DVDs Illustrate Early Childhood Education Standards UNI Leads in Solving Shortage of Special Education Teachers Iowa Initiative to Reduce Unintended Pregnancies Service to Special Olympics Olympic Champ Brings Coaching Techniques to UNI Meet Tomorrow's Promising Educators Len Froyen Multicultural Initiatives in Teaching Program Technology Facilitator Certificate Program Offered in Fall UNI Only Regents University Offering Technology Teacher Preparation Curriculum and Instruction All-University Professional Development Day Premieres Barb Hill - Known to All Teacher Education Majors Teacher Work Sample - A Window Into Students' Teaching Faculty and Student Award Winners Graduates - Where Are They? Career Notes UNI College of Education Receives 1.1 Million Dollar Gift Scholarship Needed

The University of Northern Iowa College of Education - Summer 2008

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