School of Education Hosts Education Exploration Day
The UW-Platteville School of Education welcomed 44 high school students and their chaperones from Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois to campus on Wednesday, Oct. 28 for Education Exploration Day.
Education Exploration Day gives high school students considering a teaching career the chance to discover our campus education programs while connecting with our students, faculty and staff.
Dr. Tim Buttles, School of Education Director
A panel of current education students shared their experiences and answered questions from high school students and chaperones. Carmen Reichers of Belmont shared her experience as a new freshman who commutes to campus. Olivia Tingo of Black Creek talked about her experience as a math education student. Quad Cities native, Rachael Roodhouse, talked about how an elementary education major wound up with a minor in marketing. Ben Kuhls of Platteville shared his experiences as treasurer of the academic education student organization, Aspiring Educators.
The panel also discussed why they chose to attend UW-Platteville, how they picked their major/minor, what has been their best experience so far as a Pioneer, and what’s their favorite place to go on campus. Students and chaperones asked questions, such as - what do you wish you had done in high school to better prepare you for college? What was something you found challenging in college and how did you overcome it? Do you live on or off campus? What are the dorms like? And how do you juggle a work-school balance?
Educators Rising Advisor Chelsi Clark of Riverdale High School said, “I thought it was a great day as always! I feel like I get something new every year I come. I always appreciate the student panel... I think that's one thing that my students enjoyed the most. They like to hear from ‘real’ students and how they feel about school, social situations, and everything in between.”
Prospective students were then taken on a brief campus tour, highlighting Ullsvik Hall, Karrmann Library, the Markee Pioneer Student Center, William’s Field House, Bridges Commons, and Doudna Hall (where the School of Education is housed).
Following the tour, students “shadowed” one of the education classes in progress. “It’s inspiring to connect with high school students who are passionate about education,” said Dr. Lindsay Hollingsworth, a professor of one of the classes students shadowed. “Their visit to UW-Platteville gives them a meaningful look at campus life, our programs, and the opportunities that await them as future educators.”
The visit concluded with everyone’s favorite part of Education Exploration Day - lunch at Bridgeway Commons dining hall. Education Exploration Day is open to school groups and individual prospective students and families.
