The program addresses some areas of growth that needed improvement within my current teaching style. My classroom management has improved a lot this school year, and since joining the program, my pacing of when and how I deliver curriculum in my content area has really started to deliver some long-term results in my students' retention.
I continued with my biochemistry degree after deciding to change my path and become a teacher because at that point, I would've had to do an additional year of being a full-time student and I wanted a path where I could work more during that fifth year. I chose the Transition to Teaching program because I knew I would get a good education with good experience while being able to work at the same time. I went to IU for my undergrad so it just made sense to do the T2T program here!
I am currently an early literacy intervention teacher in Massachusetts, with past experience teaching second grade and kindergarten. After completing my master’s program, I plan to return as an early childhood classroom teacher. In the classroom, my focus is on teaching students lifelong skills that extend beyond academics. Indiana-Bloomington’s Special 91¸£ÀûÉçprogram stood out to me for its emphasis on family and community support, which I believe are key to student success. With my passion for special education and teaching, the Transition to Teacher program at the IU School of 91¸£ÀûÉçis the perfect fit for me.
What began as a learning opportunity quickly turned into a passion. I realized that teaching was where I could make the greatest difference. From that moment on, I knew education was where I belonged. The time flexibility that the program has to offer is invaluable to a full-time mother and employee like me.
I preferred this path, because I valued the ability to gain deep content knowledge in the subjects I would eventually teach and the flexibility it provided me. I chose IU's Transition to Teaching program ultimately because I had spoken to other teachers who spoke highly of the program and IU's School of 91¸£ÀûÉçin general. Furthermore, having completed my undergraduate studies at IU, I was already familiar with the community. Joining a program through IU made it really easy for me to stay in Bloomington, which I love.
My mentor teacher was amazing and taught me a litany about what it means to be a teacher and skills that will help me accomplish this. I taught geography and world history honors, and it was a great time, and the relationships I built with the students and teachers were awesome.
The Indiana University Transition to Teaching program provided me with a pathway to success when I needed it the most. With a degree in English Literature and a desire to help others succeed, the T2T program provided me with the perfect opportunity to find my passion of teaching. I now proudly serve as the Superintendent of Mooresville Schools, and I am forever grateful to the IU School of Education.
The IU Bloomington Transition to Teaching Program has been a great growing experience reflected in my coursework, clinicals, and now student teaching. I feel really lucky to student teach at Avon High School and hope to make everyone who has helped me throughout this journey, not to mention myself, proud.