As you may know, we love to keep up with our McKay School graduates! Because we had so much fun talking with some of our alumni last time, we decided to do it again! There is so much to learn from these amazing graduates and the different paths they decided to take.
And without further ado, here are our alumni spotlights:
Melody Pulu: Bachelors in Elementary Education with a Masters in Teacher Education
Where are you working now?
I work at Mapleton Elementary and one thing I love about my job is the relationships I developed with each child in my class and the longevity of that relationship.
What is something you think all McKay students should learn before leaving BYU?
Something that I think all McKay students should learn before leaving BYU is to take a class or find a new hobby that is new to you! I think it’s a good experience to remember what it feels like to be a novice at something!
What piece of advice would you give to someone currently in the ElEd program?
A piece of advice I would give is to find a way to create balance in your life now. In the teaching profession it’s easy to become engulfed by it. Our job is never done. But being able to find balance in life now will help not only in your career but in other aspects of life!
Kori Esplin: Bachelors in Special Education (Severe/Profound Emphasis) with a Masters in Special Education
Where are you working now?
I am a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) at a school district in Boulder, CO. I work in autism intensive programs. I love that I get to be in the classroom and focus on what I love doing, which is working with kids and behavior, with less of the demands and burnout of teaching.
What is something you think all McKay students should learn before leaving BYU?
Learning, especially in the field of education, is lifelong! Learn how to learn and keep up with best practices. After you graduate you will constantly continue to learn and evolve in your profession.
What piece of advice would you give to someone currently in the SpEd program?
Be kind to yourself, lean on others for support and make sure you are taking care of yourself. It’s a high burnout field for a reason, so make sure you are taking care of yourself and finding ways to love what you are doing.
Sarah Lyman: Elementary Education
Where are you working now?
I will be working in Falls Church, Virginia, teaching third grade starting this fall at a Title I school and cannot wait to help the students continue in their learning. I am most looking forward to connecting with my students and seeing them improve their skills, especially their reading skills.
What is something you think all McKay students should learn before leaving BYU?
Something I think all McKay students should learn before leaving BYU is the actual meaning of being a lifelong learner. For a long time while I was a student at BYU, I was just doing it to get a degree. Near the middle of my education of BYU I had a class that helped me change my perspective on my learning. Instead of just trying to get it done I saw it as a privilege and blessing that I was able to be learning all that I was and knew that after I got my degree I didn’t want my learning to end.
What piece of advice would you give to someone currently in the ElEd program?
My piece of advice would be to cherish the relationships you make with classmates and professors because it goes by fast and those people might be some of your future collaborators in the field
We are so proud of each of our graduates and what they have accomplished! To learn more about your potential future check out various professors' career paths on our blog, here!
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