跟随他的心

虽然教书不是他来MMU的目的, Adam Czajka ’22 had been amazed at what he’s learned in the education program and the values associated with it here on the Hill.

MMU:你对教学感兴趣吗? 你对教育的热情是什么时候开始的?

AC: I feel the place my passion for teaching began is similar to many others. There was a teacher in my younger years that had a massive impact on my life. It was his teaching that inspired me to become a teacher. The fact that you can educate a person about life, but also befriend them and become a positive influence for them is why I want to be a teacher. 

MMU: What is your philosophy regarding education? How is your Mercy education impacting you so far?

AC: 所有的孩子都应该受到良好的教育, 但是为了提供良好的教育, 你必须了解你的学生. I believe that the most important factor when it comes to education is understanding your students, and understanding the types of students you’ll have. It's an important role to teach, but it is another important role to be there for them. Especially nowadays when divorce rates are high and families are split, 做一个脚踏实地的人很重要, 他们生命中不变的事件. Mount Mercy does a great job with educating you about those many types of students through classes. 通过提供实地经验的机会, you are really able to see what you’ve learned take place in person.

"It's an important role to teach, but it is another important role to be there for them."

MMU: Why did you choose Mount Mercy’s education program over others? 你对MMU有什么兴趣?

AC: Originally, I came to Mount Mercy as a graphic design major. However, my passion for that waned as I couldn’t see myself in it as an overall profession. I had heard about how nice the education program was. After a lot of consideration, I changed my major to early childhood education. The most interesting part of MMU’s program to me was its overall size. Classes are smaller, and it’s much easier to get your voice heard and questions answered. 

MMU:你的课程最让你兴奋的是什么? What’s one lesson or piece of advice you’ve taken to heart?

AC: The most exciting part of a class in the education program is the field experience. When I get the chance to go back to an elementary classroom and see the children’s faces all light up with awe and intrigue is a moment that always makes me smile. One lesson that I feel is very important to understand is that education is not a single-person job. So many of your peers will all be dedicated to educating the next generation and can provide great help if needed. It is nice to be self-sufficient, but everyone needs help every now and then.

MMU: What area of education interests you the most, e.g. 阅读、数学、科学、特殊教育等.? 你理想的工作是什么样的?

AC: 还是个孩子的时候，我就爱上了科学. Space, dinosaurs, chemistry, and all those wonderful subjects were what my young eyes locked onto. However, I respect every area of education and am eager to learn how to teach others about them. My dream job would simply be in a kindergarten classroom.

MMU: What besides the academics excites you about Mount Mercy? What’s one benefit you’ve had here versus other universities?

AC: 我再一次提到校园的规模. 对于那些像我一样住在校园里的人, it’s wonderful having everything so close together, 在步行距离内. This is further emphasized by the tunnels around campus that allow you access everywhere without having to walk through awful weather. 再一次, the classroom sizes are much smaller than other universities, 在我眼里哪个是积极的.

MMU: You’ve been a part of the gaming club on campus—how has that impacted you? Would you share a favorite experience from the club? How has being part of clubs and other organizations affected your college experience?

AC: Being a part of gaming club has been a reminder of how many like-minded individuals share your interests on campus. It’s sometimes rough for someone to move to a new state for their college degree. Without knowing anyone, it’s hard to break the ice and forge friendships. Clubs are here to remind you that your interests are shared, and there are people who would like to get along and talk about those interests. My favorite experiences of gaming club are just the many times we’ve spent nights playing certain games into the wee hours of the morning. It was terrible for our sleep schedules, but some of those memories cannot be replaced.

"Clubs are here to remind you that your interests are shared, and there are people who would like to get along and talk about those interests."

MMU: What’s one challenge you’ve faced so far and how did you overcome it?

AC: I feel my biggest challenge in the education program was getting used to being a part of it. 老实说，一开始感觉有点吓人, with some of my peers having years upon years of experience in daycares or classrooms, 而我之前没有任何经验. It really just took that first field experience I had to crush those nerves and make me feel a part of it. I may not have as much experience as others, but we all had to start somewhere, right?

还有什么要补充的吗?

AC: I’d like to say that the education program is very accepting and helpful. I honestly wouldn’t know where I’d be at the moment if my professors and peers hadn’t been there alongside to help me down this path. It’s been an enjoyable experience, and far beyond what I expected.