I am a fourth-grade teacher and coach that one day wants to be an administrator. I started the two-year educational leadership program at Mount Union in 2016 to achieve the dream of being able to run a safe building as principal with a staff that has the same passion and love for students that I have.
Why did you choose Mount Union for graduate school?
Mount Union has a very special place in my heart and Purple Raiders are well known across the country. The professors are extremely positive and passionate about what they do. After the interview, I knew this was the place I wanted to start my journey of earning my master's. This degree has also helped me achieve an honorable award of being named my schools "Educator of the Year" which I am more than humbled about.
What set Mount Union’s program apart from other graduate programs you considered?
Mount Union not only has passionate professors that are unlike any others but they also offer an online masters degree. This allowed me to keep my full time teaching and coaching jobs while pursuing my dream to be an administrator. The price was fair and competitive with local programs and I knew I would get the well known Mount Union name with the degree.
How has your internship project impacted your school, district or organization?
My internship has brought me closer to the staff and my administrators. It has allowed me to become more involved in my district and allowed me to help a family in need. The year I did my internship we lost a 4th-grade student to cancer. This internship allowed me to connect to the students and family to put on memorial events and hold an honorable Relay for Life ceremony in his name. My internship also allowed me to work with my other building principals in my district and get a full experience of all the grade levels.
How have you been able to implement the leadership skills that you have developed through the program at your school, district or organization?
I have been able to take a leadership role in running a Relay for Life event as well as handle disciplinary actions better in my classroom and school. I also use my leadership skills to coach a high school football and basketball team. I constantly evaluate my leadership qualities and actions using tools I learned from my educational leadership program at Mount Union.