Sean Gardiner, a Junior in English and Secondary Education, has learned so much on his undergraduate journey. His favorite lessons so far are the tough truths of the inequality in our education system. Sean says this of his Identity and Difference in Education class, "It truly opened my eyes to the imbalances in our education system and in our world today as a whole. I have recommended it to many of my friends, even those that are not in the College of Education."
A little bit about Sean
Q: Where is home for you?
A: I'm from Park Ridge, Illinois.
Q: What is your year and major?
A: I'm a Junior in English and Secondary Education.
Q: What do you enjoy about your campus experience, so far?
A: The thing I enjoy most about U of I is the different areas around campus, like the main, engineering, and south quads. I think each area has it's own personality and vibe. They're always great to walk through and fantastic for getting out of the house to get some fresh air.
Q: How did you know you wanted to go into the field of education?
A: I had an English teacher in high school that had a profound affect on my feelings towards education. He was so dedicated to his craft, and made the effort to connect with his students, and he genuinely put me on a better path academically when I was in his classroom. He inspired me to want to do the same for others.
Q: What do you enjoy about the College of Education?
A: I really enjoy the variety in the courses in the College of Education. The courses I have taken have also turned out to be some of the most impactful courses I have taken in my time at the University.
Q: Do you have a favorite professor, or course? Why?
A: My favorite course I have taken was EDUC 201. It truly opened my eyes to the imbalances in our education system and in our world today as a whole, and I have recommended it to many of my friends to take even those that are not in the College of Education.
Q: What is a fun fact about yourself?
A: I have over 50 first cousins on just my dad's side of the family.
Q: Where do you see yourself after graduation?
A: I am hoping to become a high school English teacher after graduating, and would hope to get a hand in coaching a sport, preferably basketball or water polo. I would love to pursue this career because the people that have made the largest impact on my life have been in this exact profession.
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