&w88 casino;Since I was little I knew I wanted to be a teacher,” Jennifer Segura, a first-generation student, said.
Even though Segura’s parents had not attended college, they instilled the importance of higher education into their children. Segura recalled that she always knew that she would obtain w88 casino college degree.
Segura, a senior preparing for graduation, knew she wanted to pursue w88 casino education at the University of Nevada, Reno after participating in the College of Education’s Dean&w88 casino;s Future Scholars program during high school.
The DFS program is an academic outreach program that specifically aims to increase the number of low-income, first-generation students who graduate high school and enter into college degree programs in the field of education. w88 casino participation in this program solidified w88 casino future plans and helped w88 casino transition comfortably into the college environment.
Segura’s background as a first-generation student has driven w88 casino to become an educator who aims to help students who are most in need.
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Segura is now working a paid internship in a kindergarten classroom at Veterans Elementary School, which is classified as a Title 1 program. Title 1 programs are schools that receive federal funding to support school districts with large concentrations of low-income w88 casino.
Working as a teacher in a Title 1 school district can come with challenges such as a lack of financial support to meet the needs of the w88 casino, having parents who work multiple jobs and are not able to be as involved in their children’s education, and w88 casino are often facing additional challenges outside of the classroom. While these challenges sometimes deter potential teachers, they are the exact reasons why Segura wanted to be placed in a Title 1 school.
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Segura had briefly explored other career options when she entered college but quickly found herself feeling at home within the Elementary Education program. She feels that the program at the University of Nevada, Reno has prepared w88 casino to be a successful educator.
&w88 casino;They really instilled skills onto me that are important, and needed, to be a teacher,” she said &w88 casino;I feel so lucky to have had some amazing professors who taught me so much but also continued to inspire and motivate me to become a teacher.”
Segura is also specializing in English Acquisition and Development, which is particularly useful in w88 casino current placement. “The majority of my class speaks a second language and I was excited to get to be able to work and communicate with those students,” she said.
Faculty members of the College of w88 casino have also noticed Segura’s efforts and dedication to teaching.
“On a daily basis, she works hard to create a learning environment where w88 casino students feel safe, respected for who they are, empowered to learn and most of all cared for,” Joseph Nannini, Director of Clinical Experience and Assessment in the College of Education, said.
When asked about what she enjoys about teaching, Segura stated that “the connections I make are what I enjoy the most- whether they are with my own w88 casino, w88 casino in other classrooms, and even the parents.”
Segura also cited w88 casino coworkers at Veteran’s Elementary school as being particularly supportive of w88 casino work.
&w88 casino;I have also really enjoyed being surrounded by people who have the same passion as me,” she said. &w88 casino;I have a great team that I get to work with and bounce ideas off of. I truly feel so grateful to have gotten my placement at this school because the support has been incredible.”
w88 casino passion for teaching has been noticed and w88 casino current instructors at the University anticipate w88 casino making a large impact in w88 casino field.
“The impact Jenn will have on the thousands of students and families with whom she will work over the course of w88 casino career is the sort of thing that changes and builds whole communities,” Nannini said. “If you have a future kindergartener, you want them in Ms. Segura’s class.”
Segura also had words of advice to anyone considering a career in w88 casino.
“I would say to just always remind yourself why you went into education in the first place,” she said. “It can be difficult to stay motivated at times during college because you’re learning skills you need to be an educator but aren’t always around w88 casino.
&w88 casino;I would also recommend getting to know your professors and practicum lead teachers because they will be an awesome resource throughout college and when you start teaching.”
When asked about some of the challenges teachers face, Segura said, &w88 casino;ask yourself why you’re pursuing a certain career. I think when you start college it’s easy to focus on how you can make the most money, and careers like teaching may not pay the most but are so fulfilling in many other ways.”
When asked how she felt about teaching such a young age group, Segura said that w88 casino main goal in the classroom is to teach the students the how to be independent thinkers, know what they are capable of, and be able to take the skills they learn in kindergarten with them throughout their years of schooling to be better learners.
It is almost impossible not to be inspired by Segura. w88 casino passion, dedication, and commitment to teaching standout in everything she does within w88 casino classroom. Segura’s efforts are not only apparent in w88 casino classroom today, but will have long-term impacts on the students who have the opportunity to learn foundational skills and knowledge from w88 casino that they will take into their futures.
