2010 Hopewell Graduate
Post Secondary Education
- Allegheny College
- Biology – 2013
- Chatham University
- Master of Physician Assistant Studies – 2015
Memorable high school clubs/experiences:
- Going to teach German to 1st grade students with my friend/classmate as a project for German Club was both challenging and hilarious at the same time. Playing on the football team for 4 years also has accounted for many memorable experiences.
Current occupation:
- Physician Assistant
Current Position/Employer
- Physician Assistant, Cardiothoracic Surgery
Questions
What role have public school educators played in your life?
- The majority of my educators clearly enjoyed teaching and mentoring students, which helped to instill the desire to succeed in that given class and in general. Having role models who encourage you to work hard is certainly beneficial for getting into college and having a solid foundation to work from in undergraduate schooling.
How has your years in a public school setting enriched your life?
- Having opportunities to participate in various clubs, sports, and electives has helped me to be a well rounded individual and student.
Why are electives (i.e. performance arts, languages) so critical in public school?
- They allow students to tailor their education to their specific interests. Electives also give students the opportunity to “test run” areas that they may be interested in pursuing in their post high school education.
What was your most memorable experience in your tenure at Hopewell schools (K-12)?
- From an education standpoint, my experiences with taking AP Biology and the interesting projects we would do in lab, especially the dissections, was very memorable. Taking AP Biology let me confirm my interest in the sciences and feel confident I was pursuing the right field in college. I can remember using my old notebooks from my AP Bio class in my entry level Biology class at Allegheny. A lot of the information was the same if not more in depth than my college level class!
Why is it important to encourage the next generation of educators to join the profession?
- Public school teachers have a unique opportunity to positively influence students from a broad range of backgrounds, all with different interests and strengths. Passionate educators can make a lasting difference in students lives and give them a solid foundation for future success.