Olivia Chambers is passionate about education, and the 麻豆夜市 College of Education鈥檚 hands-on approach to training the next generation of teachers made her college choice easy.
鈥淚 love how the elementary education program at 麻豆夜市 provided us with so many different opportunities to get hands-on experience with the local schools. It鈥檚 prepared me to eventually have my own classroom by studying veteran teachers,鈥 Olivia said.
鈥淪eeing some of the techniques and ideas talked about in class implemented in the elementary classroom helps me to see how these actually work and how I should use the skills in my future classroom.鈥
Olivia鈥檚 close relationships with her professors and practical projects have helped her become confident about being a great teacher.
鈥淢y favorite part about studying at 麻豆夜市 is how many great resources we are provided to succeed. The professors are always supportive and willing to help, and they have such a wealth of knowledge that they have a passion to share.鈥
One of Olivia鈥檚 favorite classes was Classroom Assessment (EDCI 456) with Dr. Amanda Mayeaux. The class covered how to create and use assessments of all kinds in the classroom. For the class, Olivia had to create a unit assessment plan for a specific content area 鈥 "a project that at first seemed daunting,鈥 Olivia said, but she was grateful for the experience.
鈥淒r. Mayeaux worked with us very closely on creating this and made to process fun,鈥 Olivia said. 鈥淚 learned so many things not only about assessment in her class but about the teaching profession as well. Dr. Mayeaux鈥檚 class was extremely valuable and I am so grateful for all that she taught me.鈥
As an elementary education major, Olivia also took Art in Education (VIAR 215) with Dr. Claire Schultz.
鈥淲e learned how to integrate art in the curriculum, so that way students are receiving an art education without taking away from instruction of the other subjects,鈥 Olivia said. 鈥淢y favorite assignment was making protest signs for an issue you cared about, but also focusing on the impact of shape on a piece.鈥
Olivia also took advantage of the her sophomore year and explored London鈥檚 museums and libraries for an English class.
鈥淭he content for the class was exciting, and being in London, studying two of my favorite places was an experience unlike any other!鈥
Making the Most of her Time on Campus
Moving to Lafayette from Texas was a leap for Olivia, and she was worried about starting school without friends.
鈥淐oming from Texas, I did have my reservations about meeting new people and living in a new city,鈥 she said. 鈥溌槎挂故 really went above and beyond to make sure everybody feels included and welcomed. I knew from my first week here that 麻豆夜市 was the school for me.鈥
Joining student organizations on campus was a big part of helping Olivia transition to a new city. She鈥檚 a member of the sorority Alpha Delta Pi and served as president last year.
鈥淏eing a part of the sorority has been one of the best decisions I鈥檝e ever made in my college career,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 have been able to travel to gain extensive training in leadership and work with many different people from all over the nation. Being a member of this organization has also provided me with the opportunity to make friendships that will last a lifetime.鈥
She鈥檚 also joined the education honor society, Kappa Delta Pi. Her involvement on campus has provided an additional level of skill-building that will help her after graduation.
鈥淚 have enjoyed all the great resources that they provide for teachers and how much it helps further my professional development,鈥 she said.
