Senior in the BS in Elementary Education Foundations program, Sky Choi, shares her motivations for becoming a teacher, and how the program “encapsulates anything an elementary teacher may need to know.”
What drove you to enroll in the undergraduate major in elementary education foundations?
I had heard a lot of great things about the elementary education program from alumni and friends. They said that it was really comprehensive, well planned, and offered diverse perspectives and skills for students looking to be future educators.
When did you realize you wanted to be a teacher?
I’ve wanted to be a teacher since middle school because I realized that some of my peers didn’t have the best teachers. They didn’t foster a good learning environment and created bad experiences in the classroom. This was very different from the learning experience I had, and we were in the same school! So I wanted future students to experience the learning and school experience that I had—fun, exciting, and one that fosters a love for learning.
I also volunteered at a Korean school, working with K-2nd graders learning Korean for the first time. I worked at my local library, leading small educational pop-ups and activities, too. This led to another factor as to why I wanted to become a teacher. I loved seeing kids be proud of their accomplishments and come to class excited to learn with me.
Were there any surprises and challenges along the way?
One challenge that I faced was the question of “Can I do this?” in regards to becoming a future educator. It can be daunting. I’m going to be one of the biggest influencers of a child’s education and life, which is a big responsibility. However, the program has helped me realize that it doesn’t have to be so scary with the right tools and resources under my belt, and the Elementary Education program is one of them!
What has been your experience with the faculty?
The faculty have been more than exceptional. They are all so caring and compassionate with us students. They also exhibit the practices and pedagogy that they teach, which just shows that what we’re learning is 100 percent doable. This makes the learning experience feel much more authentic and genuine.
Any other thoughts you want to share about your experience?
The program does a really good job of being both broad and in-depth when it comes to all aspects of teaching and learning. The coursework covers art integration to technology integration, understanding the influence of power and identities of both the students and the teachers, and how to find and evaluate resources that are culturally appropriate and responsive. It really encapsulates anything an elementary school teacher may need to know.
Learn more about undergraduate degrees and programs in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.
