Ithaca College Graduate Program: Alumni Spotlight

Name: Aurora Rojer

Grade Level: 7-12 (Mostly 9th grade)

Subject Area: Social Studies

What do you enjoy most about being a teacher? What energizes you in the classroom?

"I love my content area, and getting my students excited to learn history. I get energized when students dig into a topic, develop strong opinions, ask hard questions, and use evidence from sources to support claims. I love debates and simulations that get students thinking in new ways and making the material their own. I’m lucky to teach at a school where I have complete autonomy over my curriculum and can really tailor it to interests in the room. It’s also such a pleasure to get to know students and watch them grow as thinkers throughout the year and beyond, since I often get to teach students for multiple years."

What aspects of your experience at Ithaca College helped you to establish a lasting teaching career?

"IC’s program really focused on getting to know students and building relationships, which is so central to success in the classroom. I love how the program trained me to be a reflective practitioner."

A final thought or word of wisdom for future teachers?

"If you don’t care about what you’re teaching, students will never care about what they are learning. If you don’t care about your students, they won’t care about your class. Love your content and your students!"

Name: Erin Wallace

Grade Level: 2nd Grade

Subject Area: All subjects

What do you enjoy most about being a teacher? What energizes you in the classroom?

"I enjoy building relationships with students and families. I believe that students learn best when they feel loved, cared for, and known. I’ve found that building strong relationships with my students and their families over the years has been the most rewarding and enjoyable part of the job. This energizes me, even when the workload feels heavy. Really building the family relationship has helped me to see my students as people and not just a student in my classroom for one school year. I think of them as soccer players, big sisters, dancers, and artists. They have unique interests and personalities. They play a role in so many different communities, outside of our classroom community. Seeing who my students really are, and getting to watch them grow and change over the years, that energizes me."

What aspects of your experience at Ithaca College helped you to establish a lasting teaching career?

"During my time at Ithaca College, I remember being hyper focused on learning the nitty gritty of teaching. I wanted to learn how to administer assessments, how to teach a small reading group, how to manage a classroom. It wasn’t until after I graduated that I realized the real gift that I took away from my experience at Ithaca College. That gift was the gift of reflection and identity work. My ability to reflect on my own education experiences, and my current teaching practices, really shaped/still shape who I am as a teacher. This reflective practice brings a fresh start to every school year. I’m always growing, learning, and shifting my practice as an educator."

A final thought or word of wisdom for future teachers?

"Teaching is fun, rewarding, exciting, and busy! The best gift you can give your students is a happy teacher. Don’t forget to take a Friday off just because, go see your friends and family, if the sun is shining, take a walk during your prep and get some fresh air. Your students will actually benefit!"