Audrey Kermgard credits her teachers for teaching her the values she carries today; empathy and understanding. Now, the junior Elementary Education major wants to pay that lesson forward to her students and be the best teacher possible.
A little bit about Audrey:
Q: Where is home for you?
A: Evanston, Illinois.
Q: What is your year and major?
A: I'm a junior majoring in Elementary Education.
Q: How did you know you wanted to go into the field of education?
A: I realized how much my teachers impacted how I view the world. If not for some of the fantastic teachers I had growing up, I would not have the empathy and understanding I have today. My teachers encouraged me to be passionate about learning new things and thinking critically. I would not be so intense and motivated if it were not for the teachers I had that were so hands-on and caring. I've always enjoyed working with children, babysitting, teaching swim lessons, or being a camp counselor. Kids have such a fun and carefree energy that it is always a joy to be around. I want to be a fun and impactful teacher who cares about every one of my students.
Q: What do you enjoy about the College of Education?
A: The outstanding professors are my favorite thing about the College of Education. I can tell that all of my professors are the kind of teachers who teach with empathy and want the best for their students. Their pedagogical knowledge is endless, and they always answer any questions I have thoroughly about how to be the best teacher possible. My professors at the College of Education make me feel like my ideas are good and push me to always think about new ways to approach my teaching methodology.
Q: Do you have a favorite professor or course? Why?
A: My favorite course I have taken is CI 415, Language Varieties, Culture, and Learning. My professor Mackensi Crenshaw was outstanding. I constantly felt like I was having "aha" moments while listening to her lectures. She brought in new yet relevant information to the topics each week. I thought critically about what the education system considers the standard way of teaching and how the supposed standard may not be accessible to all students. I felt like I learned so much about how to be understanding of my future students' needs despite how specific they may be.
Q: What do you enjoy about your campus experience so far?
A: I love attending a Big Ten school with many people from different backgrounds. When touring the school back when I was a junior in high school, I fell in love with the liveliness of Green Street, the serenity of the quad, and the large but walkable campus. I have met so many different people and am so grateful for the experiences I have gained. The social life, academic opportunities, and resources are endless at U of I.
Q: What is a fun fact about yourself?
A: I love music! I can play the piano, clarinet, saxophone, and ukulele. Right now, my favorite instrument to play is the guitar. I enjoy picking up my guitar every once in a while and looking up how to play some of my favorite songs.
Q: 1) Tell us about any research you've done and the mentorship you've received from your instructors. 2) Tell us about any study abroad experiences and why you thought they benefited your life and career. 3) Tell us about your future career plans after graduating and why you want to pursue that field.
A: 1) I took Education 102 and CI 405 in my first year, which are James Scholar courses focused on practicing research. In Education 102, I researched the state of bilingual programs in schools to see how accessible they are for native Spanish speakers. In CI 405, I researched the narratives of slavery in social studies textbooks. I wanted to know how these narratives have progressed over time and how they differ between states. 2) During my sophomore year in the Spring of 2022, I studied abroad in Madrid, Spain. I always knew I wanted to study abroad for the experience of being immersed in another culture, and I got so much more out of the experience than I expected. I decided later in high school to become fluent in Spanish and am now pursuing a bilingual endorsement. I made Spanish friends during my study abroad in Madrid and improved my Spanish to the point of being able to converse comfortably. I realized just how diverse cultures around the world are from my time abroad. I am so glad I had that experience and immersed myself in a completely different lifestyle for five months. With my Spanish now much more improved, I feel confident in potentially teaching in a bilingual classroom in the future.
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