Making an impact
05/05/2023
Following student teaching in Lima, Ohio, Ella Wiley plans to begin her education career in Columbus, Ohio.
confirming her passion to teach
Born and raised in Brownsburg, Ind., Ella Wiley 鈥23, will continue living in the Buckeye state following graduation to teach in Ohio. The elementary education student recently completed her student teaching experience at Elmwood Primary School in the Shawnee (Lima, Ohio) Local School District.
鈥淏eing a teacher comes with a lot of sacrifice. I knew that from my dad being a teacher,鈥 said Wiley. 鈥淲hen I got to experience it myself, I learned that even though you can鈥檛 see the impact you make every single day, you are making an impact without even thinking about it.鈥
Wiley has wanted to be a teacher since she was little, and student teaching gave her a better feel for her future career.
鈥淕oing in I was anxious and scared, but on my last day of student teaching it was one of the hardest goodbyes I鈥檝e had.鈥
During the experience, she learned how to better deal with uncomfortable situations
and to sometimes be stern. Those situations forced her to grow.
鈥淭here were days, even a week, where I was by myself in the classroom,鈥 said Wiley.
鈥淚 had to do everything on my own鈥 lesson plans, teaching the kids, classroom management
and grading. It was a very good experience for me to grow as a student teacher and
prepare to become my own teacher.鈥
Wiley was originally a student at a much larger university but transferred to Bluffton to play soccer. While her goals have changed from her freshman year in college, she is creating her own path.
鈥淚鈥檓 starting to find my own voice,鈥 said Wiley. 鈥淢y student teaching experience was phenomenal, and I couldn鈥檛 have asked for a better cooperating teacher. She helped me not only in school-related issues but also personal issues. She helped me find my way and to be confident in my decisions.鈥
Wiley originally planned to return home following graduation; however, she鈥檚 excited to move to the Columbus, Ohio, area to begin her career.
鈥淚 want a fresh start and to meet new friends, new people and experience a new place,鈥 said Wiley. 鈥淚 am uprooting my life. I鈥檓 excited, scared, nervous, anxious and all the emotions. You really have to be strong and confident to know that you are going to be okay.鈥
In the future, Wiley plans to continue taking classes to gain additional endorsements
and eventually earn her master鈥檚 degree in education.
She encourages future Beavers to follow their dreams in education.
鈥淒o it because you have the passion to teach and do it for yourself鈥 not your parents, not your significant other, not your friends. Do it for yourself,鈥 said Wiley.
Confirm your calling
鈥淲e get them in the schools early and provide them with support and mentorship. We prepare students to become highly effective teachers and they get jobs.鈥