The Education Peer Ambassador Program is a unique leadership opportunity for students of undergraduate teacher education programs at Appalachian State University. In their role, they support fellow students by working at the front desk in the James Center for Student Success and Advising as well as serve as hosts to prospective students and guests of the Reich College of Education. They assist at all of our recruitment events and provide building tours to prospective students, donors, and faculty candidates.
This fall there are eight new additions to the Education Peer Ambassador Program. Each ambassador brings their own perspective as a student to the program. The James Center looks for a variety of education majors to provide a well-rounded group of ambassadors. Meet all eight of the ambassadors and learn why they chose to come to Appalachian, what or who inspired them to become an educator, and why they wanted to be an ambassador for the Reich College of Education.
Questions? Please contact Megan Kasper for more information.
Meet Lexi All
Lexi is a Spanish education major from Clayton, North Carolina.
What or who made you want to become a teacher?
I have wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. I struggled to determine which subject I wanted to teach until I discovered my love for Spanish. Language is the foundation upon which all other fields are built. If humans cannot express their thoughts, ideas, and needs to one another, how can change be made to better lives? I chose to study Spanish education because I want to incite a passion for language and instill the value of communication in young minds. Through my teaching, I hope to contribute to creating generations of students who have an appreciation and understanding of the world around them.
Why Appalachian?
I get asked why I chose Appalachian quite often, but to be honest, I cannot give an exact answer. I guess you could say it was a "gut feeling" I had when I toured the campus. The weather on my tour day was dreary, cold and pouring rain. I was soaked and freezing, yet there was nowhere else that I would have rather been. I felt like App State is where I needed to be, and I've loved every second here since.
Why did you want to become an Education Peer Ambassador?
It's no lie that these four brief college years are difficult, but can be some of the best years of your life. At Appalachian, I have found a home. I have found a community of friends, leaders, professors, and mentors that are supportive and encouraging and want to help me be the best possible version of myself. Being an Education Peer Ambassador provides me with the opportunity to share these experiences with prospective students and connect with my fellow peers. I hope to show them how not only the Reich College of Education but also Appalachian State as a whole, is a family-oriented community that has greatly impacted my life and can do the same for their lives.
What tips or advice do you have for incoming freshmen about majoring in education?
The Reich College of Education truly fosters and promotes learning so that we can all grow as people and prospective educators together. Professors and fellow peers are going to challenge your ideas and encourage you to grow. Come into classes with an open mind and a willingness to see life from others' perspectives. Don't be afraid of change – I am definitely a different and better person than I was before Appalachian!
Meet Lizzie Drake
Lizzie is an elementary education from Raleigh, North Carolina.
What or who made you want to become a teacher?
I would come home and teach my little sister what we did in class; just for fun.
Why Appalachian?
I chose Appalachian after I met everyone in the James Center during an open house. I had toured other schools, but none of them compared to the feeling of community and openness that App State did. After that, I knew it had to be the school for me.
Why did you want to become an Education Peer Ambassador?
I want to get more involved with App, as well as meet new and inspiring people.
What tips or advice do you have for incoming freshmen about majoring in education?
Breathe. You have an amazing support system here and they will tell you everything you need to know. Reach out to Jan Stanley and Megan Kasper and students in the James Center if you're confused. There are answers to your questions, so don't let them cause anxiety.
Meet Josh Harker
Josh is a geology secondary education major from Garner, North Carolina.
What or who made you want to become a teacher?
My mom is a Teacher Assistant. All of my awesome high school teachers influenced me as well.
Why Appalachian?
I chose Appalachian because I love the mountains and because I knew about the education college here. Once I got here, I fell in love with the community of people where everyone is so nice and supportive. Also, I fell in love with the environment around the school, having the Parkway so close and also being a geology major, there are so many awesome things to look at just walking around campus.
Why did you want to become an Education Peer Ambassador?
I wanted to become an Education Peer Ambassador to get more involved in the college and to spread my love for this school with prospective students. I found out at Teacher Education Preview Day that I love talking about my experiences here, so now I get more opportunities to do so.
What tips or advice do you have for incoming freshmen about majoring in education?
For incoming education majors, I would tell them to take in all the knowledge that these professors have to offer. They are so intelligent and know so much about what they are teaching. Also, there is an awesome club that you can join with a huge community of future educators here, Appalachian Educators.
Meet Cassie Harris
Cassie is an elementary education major from Elk Park, North Carolina.
What or who made you want to become a teacher?
I am currently pursuing elementary education because I absolutely adore children, and it is crucial for students to have teachers who genuinely care for them. I want to change the lives of students and improve the quality of education that children receive. I want my students to be able to accomplish anything that they set their mind to. Children keep me happy, creative, young and fulfilled. This is the only profession that I would like to have the privilege of pursuing for the rest of my life.
Why Appalachian?
I chose Appalachian State University first and foremost for their outstanding teaching program. I wanted to attend a university that genuinely cares about my education as much as I do. I knew that if I attended Appalachian that I would be well equipped to go out into the real world and teach children. Aside from the incredible academic benefits of App, Boone is also a gorgeous place to live. I love being surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and taking a hike on the Parkway is one of my favorite ways to relieve stress. Also, there are countless community events to attend, like the farmers market and many festivals to enjoy in Boone.
Why did you want to become an Education Peer Ambassador?
I wanted to become an Education Peer Ambassador so that I can have the opportunity to inspire potential students with the wonderful experiences that I have had as an elementary education major at Appalachian. I am excited to assist prospective students with various questions or concerns that they may have.
What tips or advice do you have for incoming freshmen about majoring in education?
The advice that I would give to incoming students majoring in education is to meet new students and faculty in the Reich College of Education because this can lead to new networking opportunities in the future. Your peers will be able to give you helpful advice because they can relate to everything that you are experiencing academically. If students are struggling to make connections they can always come into the James Center with any questions, concerns, or if they just need to talk to someone. The Reich College of Education is also a great resource because they host many lectures, presentations, events, and activities for students.
Meet Maggie Hooks
Maggie is a double major in early childhood education and psychology. She is from Gastonia, North Carolina.
What or who made you want to become a teacher?
I have always loved working with children, so I always considered a teaching profession. My mother and my grandmother are/were both teachers and they both definitely influenced me. My high school math teacher, Mr. Cox, was also a big inspiration and push in my life.
Why Appalachian?
- Because of the education program, specifically our special education and early child development programs. We are the only university in North Carolina with an on-campus child development center for students to observe in, which is an incredible tool.
- The area. I love the mountains. I wanted to go to school somewhere I would succeed, obviously, but I also wanted to go to school somewhere that I wanted to live. I think a lot of times, incoming college students can get so wrapped up in how "good" the school is and the majors offered, but you should go to school in a place you love and can see yourself living for four (or more) years. I love Boone and I love the mountains, so this school was pretty much calling my name.
Why did you want to become an Education Peer Ambassador?
I want to help others who are interested in degrees in education or just becoming more involved in educating others. I think that incoming students and current students need to know about the amazing opportunities we have in the Reich College of Education, and I also want to make an impact in the Watauga County area.
What tips or advice do you have for incoming freshmen about majoring in education?
Use your resources!! The staff in the James Center are all AMAZING. Do not be afraid to ask questions, whether that's to a staff member or a returning student. Also, the James Center is an excellent place to study and you'll always be making connections to people in the education department because it's a good central hub in the RCOE. Also, make a 4-year plan because once you get into block things are less flexible.
Meet Karla Starnes
Karla is an art education major from Hickory, North Carolina.
What or who made you want to become a teacher?
I love learning new things, so I want to teach so that I can hopefully help students enjoy learning as well.
Why Appalachian?
I chose Appalachian State University because I love the mountains. I live an hour away in Hickory, North Carolina, and this is a great opportunity to be in the mountains almost daily. So happy I made the decision.
Why did you want to become an Education Peer Ambassador?
I love helping people. I am a people person so I think this will be a great opportunity for me to meet new people and be helpful at the same time. I think there is something to learn from everyone so I plan to learn something new from everyone I meet.
What tips or advice do you have for incoming freshmen about majoring in education?
Ask for help when there is any confusion. Everyone is here to help everyone, so if there is a question about anything, just ask someone.
Meet Kate Stone
Kate is a family and consumer sciences education major from Denton, North Carolina.
What or who made you want to become a teacher?
I have had many great teachers throughout school, but one of them made a really big impact on me. Her name is Mrs.Hill and she is a family and consumer sciences teacher. She inspired me to follow in her footsteps.
Why Appalachian?
As a family and consumer sciences major, I didn't have many options in choosing what college to attend. App is one of three schools in the state that offer the full FACS program. In addition, it was the best financial decision at the time. But one other reason is that I have lived in both the Piedmont and the Coast of North Carolina, and therefore the mountains were the only part I had not explored, and I am so glad that I chose here because the mountains are amazing.
Why did you want to become an Education Peer Ambassador?
I wanted to help future students at Appalachian who may be considering a career in education, realize that there is so much more to the career than a lot of the drawbacks that are made noticeable today. They need to know the rewards that come with the territory and not focus on the money.
What tips or advice do you have for incoming freshmen about majoring in education?
Be engaged and involved with events that go on through Appalachian Educators. These things will give you some experience and ideas of what you might be able to use in the classroom. We as teachers have to help one another out because this is a job that you cannot do alone.
Meet Brittney Westbrook
Brittney is an elementary education major from Fountain Inn, South Carolina.
What or who made you want to become a teacher?
My mom is a Kindergarten teacher and seeing the difference she has made in her students lives always inspired me! She is the greatest person I have ever met, she cares so deeply for all of her students, and always wants to improve for their benefit. She is also an Appalachian alumna!
Why Appalachian?
I chose Appalachian because I love the mountains, I knew I would meet so many new people here, and after the college of education preview day, I knew this school would give me the best education to impact the lives of my future students!
Why did you want to become an Education Peer Ambassador?
I wanted to be more involved in the college of education, help new students with their transition to Appalachian, and help students realize that attending Appalachian would be one of their best decisions!
What tips or advice do you have for incoming freshmen about majoring in education?
To be excited! The professors in the college of education are amazing and such wonderful people. The next four years will be so rewarding!
Contributed by Taylor Dale
Meet the 2018-19 Education Peer Ambassadors
