Senior Abby Dizon misses the warm, positive energy of the College of Education building most of all in these strange times. The positivity from her peers and instructors of present, all the way back to Kindergarten, have influenced her personally and professionally. When asked about her aspirations to teach in Chicago Public Schools as a Golden Apple Scholar, she replied, "I am determined to inspire students and provide them with a reason to be their best self every single day."
A little bit about Abby:
Q: Where is home for you?
A: I'm from Chicago, IL.
Q: What is your year and major?
A: I'm a senior studying Early Childhood Education.
Q: What do you enjoy about the campus experience, so far?
A: I have enjoyed every interaction I have had whether it be with professors from the College of Education or classmates and my current cohort. I especially love being near or in the College of Education building and just feeding off of the positive energy around me.
Q: How did you know you wanted to go into the field of education?
A: The power of knowledge is truly one that everyone has a right to. Teaching students and learning with them is an experience that is like no other. When I was in Kindergarten, I greatly enjoyed my own Kindergarten teacher and I knew I wanted to bring the joy of learning into the classroom just as she did. Even though my family thought it was just a 'phase' that I had, my love for teaching continued to grow and my dream never changed, I wanted to teach!
Q: What do you enjoy about the College of Education?
A: The College of Education is always responding to student needs and I appreciate their responsiveness and warm environment when I used to walk in the building pre-Covid.
Q: Do you have a favorite professor or course? Why?
A: One of my favorite courses has been ART 201 because of the wonderful art projects that were able to complete, along with learning new ways to incorporate art projects into my future classroom and in student teaching.
Q: What is a fun fact about yourself?
A: I am half Filipino and half Black!
Q: Tell us about any research you've done and the mentorship you've recieved from your instructors.
A: During my student teaching (currently and during spring 2020 and fall 2020), I have learned so much from all of my teachers. I have learned that although each student is different in their learning style and their behavior, they all have a right to learn in the best way possible, therefore we as educators have to accommodate our lessons to fit each child's needs.
Q: Tell us about your future career plans after graduating and why you want to pursue that field.
A: I plan to teach in Chicago, specifically CPS, after I graduate. I am a part of the Golden Apple Program and that requires me to teach in a school of low-income for my first five years. I am determined to inspire students and provide them with a reason to be their best self every single day.
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