Why Oneonta?
I chose Oneonta because of its incredible education program and beautiful campus. So many people in my life had such great things to say about their time here, especially about how supportive and knowledgeable the staff was. When I toured here, I fell in love with the campus and overall vibe of Oneonta and knew I had to come here.
My Activities
I am a part of the Biology Club, the NOYCE Scholarship program for Science Education, and I am an intern at the A.J. Read Science Discovery Center, which is genuinely so fun and also incredibly fulfilling. We plan free events for campus and community members such as movie nights, tropical fruit day and solar eclipse viewing parties. We also host birthday parties, occupational therapy groups and field trips from local school districts.
Best Experiences
Some of my best experiences have been with other members of the NOYCE program during trips outside of school. Thanks to this program, I’ve been given a wide variety of opportunities to learn from experienced teachers and scientists. We’ve attended events such as the Science Teachers of New York State Conference, as well as visited NYC for a week to observe inner-city schools.
About My Major
I chose to be an education major because I love working with other people and always admired my teachers when I was younger. My dad is a teacher, which taught me just how important they are and how much they do for their students. While I love science in general, I really gravitate towards the life sciences, so I knew my concentration would be in biology. Oneonta is known for its great education program, so it was easily one of my top choices for college.
Interning at the Science Discovery Center, being able to work with and teach so many different kinds of people helps me practice for my future as a teacher. Working there is just another form of education, and being able to share my love for science with others in a fun way makes it even better.
Favorite Professors
I have had a lot of classes with Dr. Paul Bischoff, and he has made a tremendous impact on my education. He's a fun and quirky guy, but he is so knowledgeable in both teaching and science. He has had so many years of experience teaching all kinds of students and does not hesitate to help us whenever he can. He also runs the NOYCE scholar program and is responsible for providing us with invaluable opportunities for professional development. I have always appreciated how passionate he is about what he does, and how willing he is to provide guidance and support to his students.
Plans, Goals, Dreams
After Oneonta, I hope to teach back home somewhere in Albany or Greene County (preferably a high school biology class) for a couple years, before pursuing my Master’s degree. If I find teaching to not be for me, I’ll look for a different job surrounding biology, in the areas of marine biology, ecology, or mammalian physiology.