“The instructors I have encountered in the Teacher Education Program are the embodiment of what it means to be a teacher or an educator.”
Name: Madeline Taylor
Academic Program: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education through the Missouri State Outreach program
What is your hometown? West Plains, MO
Why did you choose to attend Missouri State-West Plains?
I chose Missouri State University-West Plains because I had attended it for my Associate of Arts in General Studies and Associate of Applied Science in General Technology degrees, and because it is a high-quality college close to home. I live about five minutes away from campus. It is easy to attend classes with my busy schedule. I am a mother, wife and work full time, so having the availability of attending classes when it’s convenient for me and my family was important to me. I liked the option of having the evening classes so that I could continue my education while still helping to support my family.
How would you describe your experience here?
I have enjoyed many of the courses I have taken and have made connections with the instructors and other students, some of which have turned into lasting friendships. Most recently I have been blessed to work with some of the faculty in Gohn Hall and they have made a seemingly overwhelming task become achievable for me.
What has been your favorite thing about Missouri State-West Plains?
The instructors are devoted to their students. I can really tell that they care about teaching, and not only teaching, but supporting their students and helping them to achieve their goals and be successful.
What has been your favorite course and why?
I have enjoyed many of the courses I’ve taken here, so it’s really hard to choose. I was surprised I enjoyed my Introduction to Special Education course so much. I really enjoyed delving into how to support and instruct and understand students with special needs. I also have discovered a new passion that I didn’t know I had through my literacy courses taught by Kendra Belcher and Joni Cay Appleton. What I love most about their courses is that their passion is contagious. It awakened the passion that I now have for helping students learn to love reading, and the importance of equipping students with strategies and the confidence to read and read well.
How have faculty and staff helped you during your time at Missouri State-West Plains?
From the beginning, Dr. Jane Ward was a huge support. She has been encouraging, supportive and understanding. She was a great influence in me choosing to move forward in pursuing my teaching degree. Mrs. ReBena Atkinson has been a wonderful encouragement and resource, as well. She is always willing to be available to help her students navigate the requirements of teacher education. Mr. Jerry Trick and Dr. Craig Albin exhibited not only encouragement but patience and support and positive feedback and constructive feedback when needed. They are all phenomenal educators.
How did you choose your major?
I left a career in the title industry to pursue my passion. I wanted to inspire and encourage and uplift young people to achieve their goals and to understand that they are not bound by their circumstances, but that they can determine their own path in life with diligence and hard work. I grew up in poverty, and I refuse to let that define my life in what I can achieve and who I am. I want to share that with the youth of our community. Becoming a teacher seemed the best way to do that.
What have you learned at Missouri State-West Plains that will help you succeed in your education, career or life?
The instructors I have encountered in the Teacher Education Program are the embodiment of what it means to be a teacher or an educator. It’s not hard to see that they believe in what they do, in reaching out to others and uplifting them, and in making things seem possible that were once impossible. Yes, I’m learning specifically how to be a teacher and operate in the public school system, but more importantly, I am learning what it really means to be a teacher from these educators. As I said before, their passion is contagious.
As a first-generation college student, what are some of the challenges you have faced?
Navigating the world of college and university life is an unknown and can be daunting to someone who has no frame of reference for it. I think the difficulty is feeling like you are an outsider coming into an unknown world and figuring out what to do and how it all works. Another challenge is rising above one’s circumstances. I believe that many young people whose families haven’t been to college may not feel like it is something they can do. Believing that a college education is an attainable goal is a process that doesn’t happen overnight. For me it required stepping through the first door, and then discovering that I could do that much, then taking the next step and so on. Another challenge has been being a non-traditional student and raising my children and caring for my family while pursuing my education.
What are your plans after graduation?
I plan to test into certification to teach at the middle school level, and I hope to find a teaching job in our local community as a middle school social studies, language arts or reading teacher. I did not originally plan to pursue a master’s degree, but since entering the Teacher Education Program, I have contemplated the different areas that I may be interested in getting my master’s degree. I don’t yet know if I will pursue that or not.