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Student Spotlight: Lauren Miller’22, ‘23 (Special Education, M.Ed)
“Looking back, I remember all of my teachers for one reason or another. I hope that when my students look back, they will remember me for positively impacting their lives.”
Lauren Miller is a two-time graduate with a one-track mind: become the sort of teacher her students will remember in a positive light.
What’s your Roberts story?
I received my undergraduate degree from Roberts in May 2022 with a Bachelors of Science in Childhood and Special Education.
Now, I am working towards my Masters in Special Education through Roberts and anticipate completing my degree in the fall of 2023.
Where do you work?
I work at Longridge, an elementary school in Greece Central School District. I am a second grade teacher.
What’s the story of how you came to Longridge?
In the fall of my senior year, I took an education class called Methods, where we would go to Longridge Elementary every Friday for the day. Spending the whole day at the school provided a great learning opportunity.
Then, before student teaching, Dr. Driskill and Dr. Huck took the time to hand-pick my student teaching placement at Longridge for me because they knew of a classroom they thought would be a great fit for me.
After student teaching and graduation, I was a substitute at Longridge and now I work there with my own classroom.
For my undergraduate graduation cap, I had all of my students from my student teaching placement sign my cap.
What do you love about working there?
Since this is my first year as a teacher, one of my favorite things about working here is how welcoming so many of the staff has been, especially my second grade team.
They are always looking for ways to support me, checking in on me, and cheering me on.
Here is a picture of me with my mentor teacher Mrs. Zelesnikar (left) and her co-teacher (another Roberts grad!) in the middle.
At the end of my student teaching I gave them personalized stools that I painted.
What gets you out of bed and into the classroom?
I want to make a difference in the lives of my students.
Looking back, I remember all of my teachers for one reason or another. I hope that when my students look back they will remember me for positively impacting their lives.
What advice would you give to incoming Adult and Graduate students?
Take it one week at a time, or sometimes just one day at a time.
Life gets busy, but all of the professors are very understanding, and great at communication.
Even though it might seem like a lot to do, I promise it is manageable!
Take it slow, and prioritize your learning.
If you could help everyone understand one thing, what would it be and why?
Empathy.
People often get caught up in the busyness of life, but I wish society could get better at practicing it, because it is such a meaningful thing.
Empathy is the ability to understand and share feelings of another person.
Empathy helps us appropriately respond to situations, and can help both parties involved.
Empathy helps build trust and relationships.
I think if society had more empathy, it would go a long way.
Want to meet another Teacher Education Student? See Brian Ellis'22 as he leaves the corporate world to return to his passion for teaching.