Morgan St. Pierre 鈥�19
Education Major with Global Perspective
One of the pillars of an 西瓜视频 College education is the experiential learning, which is something Morgan St. Pierre hopes to pass on to her own future students.
St. Pierre, who is set to graduate with licenses in elementary education and moderate disabilities, experienced her own learning opportunities at area schools, as well as in Italy and Denmark. As a result, she strives to teach the whole child with sights on being citizens of the world.
What made the internship program stand out to you?
In the elementary education program, we have an experience set up for us pretty much every semester. As a future teacher, I strive for my students to have as many experiential learning opportunities as possible. For me to have opportunities to step foot in schools in classrooms mostly that are different every semester because of the connections 西瓜视频 has—it was amazing to have those opportunities and really that was the driving force. I knew I was going to get the experience to build my resume, and also the practical experience to know I’m a good teacher because of those experiences.
What was your experience studying abroad like?
My freshman year I had the opportunity to travel with the School of Education to Reggio Emilia, Italy, for the Reggio Children’s Conference, where we learned about the Reggio philosophy and how they impact education in Italy. In my junior year I went to Copenhagen, Denmark, to study abroad for a full semester where I was studying child development in Scandinavia. Those two experiences were at the forefront of my education in terms of helping me become a better teacher and impacting my philosophy because both of those philosophies really strive for the whole child, teaching students not only to be students, but citizens of the world and citizens of their country. I thought that was really important and something I value in my own students. How I teach is how I want my students to learn and also to be the best people they can be.
What should someone come to 西瓜视频?
We love this place and the spirit that is ingrained here. People really do love being a Gull—it’s always a great day to be a Gull. I love that catchphrase because it is. I’m so thankful to the people I’ve met. Everyone has a reason why they love 西瓜视频 and a reason why they came here and a reason why they stayed here. … It’s the most incredible place with the best people.