Ellen Reckamp just started her junior year as an English major, Secondary Education minor. She always knew she wanted a career that worked hands-on with other people, and with education she could really help students grow and feel empowered.
A little bit about Ellen
Q. What do you enjoy about your campus experiene so far?
A. I love fall on campus because the leaves change and the weather is perfect for walking around the quad.
Q. What do you enjoy about the College of Education?
A. All of the staff in the College of Education is super friendly! Also, I like how it is a smaller college because it makes it more personal.
Q. Tell us about your semester abroad:
A. In the Spring, I spent a semester abroad in Birmingham England! For the first time, I got to experience being the outsider. Even though my host country spoke English, I was still different than everyone, and they knew that as soon as I opened my mouth.
In a classroom, there will be students who feel like they are the outsider or feel shy about speaking out. After going abroad I feel like I can empathize with those students a lot more. While I was abroad, I got to meet people from all over the world and learn about their cultures.
As a teacher, I will have students from all different communities, so I think it is important that I am culturally aware and feel comfortable interacting with students/parents that come from different cultures. When you go somewhere completely new, you have to interact with people who are totally different than you, and I am way more confident at approaching people now.
Q. Tell us a fun fact about your time on campus:
A. I got to hear Obama speak when he came to campus last fall!
