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Emily Horrall

Special Education Teacher

Employer: Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation

Major: Elementary Education

Minor: Special Education

Graduation Year: 2011

Other Education:

Geographic Region: Evansville, Indiana

Biography

My freshman year, I started as an Exercise Science major. I did not like any of my classes or the content. At the end of my freshman year, I changed my major to Elementary Education. I loved it! My professors were caring and fun. I never wanted to miss class because the content and activities were always interesting. At the end of my sophomore year, I added a minor in Special Education. It was fascinating to learn about the various disabilities and how to deliver the appropriate content to students with disabilities. I graduated with ample experiences; a practicum, four internships, two student teaching placements, tutoring programs, and more. The combination of creativity from my professors and classmates provided me with numerous teaching methods and manipulatives. I enjoyed stepping right into the classroom and working with students. With such a large amount of time spent in the classroom, it allowed me to take the content learned in class and apply it to teaching. I was able to try firsthand how well the methods and techniques worked and what needed to be changed. The combination of classes and internships sounds difficult, but it was a great way to gain experience and find your own way of teaching, before becoming a teacher. I was considered one of the lucky ones that found a teaching job right out of college. I now teach at an inner city school in Evansville as a 6th and 7th grade special education teacher. I am still using various techniques and teaching methods that I learned in college. UE prepared me very well for a teaching job. I love my job and don?t regret anything about my college experiences!

What I love about my job

Working with children is one of the most rewarding jobs. I love teaching and seeing the Aha! moment on the faces of my students. Although, the education field can be overwhelming at times, the end result is beyond worth it. Seeing the students reach their own level of achievement is the best feeling. There is never a dull moment in teaching. My aunt, a retired teacher, has always said, "Once you start teaching, you'll never work a day in your life. And that's the truth!

My advice to people considering this field

Education is one of the best fields. The professors are outstanding and work with you at every opportunity. You connect with your classmates and share the do's and don'ts of different teaching methods. I went to class every day excited because the professors made each class interesting and fun. Not to mention, the experiences that the Education Department at UE provides are outstanding. UE is equipped with some of the best education professors; they will work with you, give you advice, and treat you like their own children. As an education major, you can guarantee a great college experience and an awesome career.

Contact Emily Horrall

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