In high school, I worked as an after-school assistant, nanny and volunteer teacher. So when I started applying to college, I knew that I was interested in education. UNH’s education program seemed like the right fit for me. Today, I am a senior in the mathematics education program here – and I love it. The faculty are very supportive and motivating, and the courses make me feel prepared to teach.
The education program at UNH has two different tracks, each with its own timeline. The first option is a four-year program, which includes student teaching your last year. The second option is a five-year accelerated master’s program where you complete a fifth-year internship. During my junior year, I decided to apply to the accelerated master’s program for elementary education. I had to get letters of recommendation, take the Praxis Core, write a statement of purpose, and complete the application form. When I found out I got accepted, I started taking courses my senior year that count towards both my undergraduate degree and my graduate degree. If you take dual credit courses, just know some of your courses might have extra work and some might not!
I am currently in the placement process for my fifth-year internship. The New Hampshire Department of Education helps us with this process. They give us a list of potential schools that we use to go out and observe teachers. Based on those observations, we submit a list of teachers with whom we’d like to work, and the Education Department matches us with the perfect teacher and classroom based on those preferences. During my internship year, I will be observing and teaching in a K-5 class and taking graduate courses at night. I will also have to take my teaching licensure exams.
Overall, my plan after I graduate is to finish my master’s – and then go teach. I love learning, so I’ve also thought about going for a doctorate in the future. Maybe I will end back up at UNH!
