Hello! My name is Elise Williams; about a year ago, I moved to Williston, North Dakota from Houston, Texas just in time to experience the snowiest winter yet! My husband, Jonny, and I have had a blast trying all sorts of new activities like pheasant hunting, hiking, camping, and intermural curling. North Dakota, while extremely cold most of the year, has fun, friendly people, numerous outdoor activities to experience, and a great economy that only continues to grow and bring interesting people to the area. We are geographically, however, just about in the middle of nowhere, so USC’s online MAT program was not only an incredible opportunity to receive an excellent Master’s education, but it was accessible!
Before the wonderful MAT program, the big and exciting move to North Dakota, and my incredible teaching career, I attended Texas A&M University. The summer before my senior year, I worked at Kanakuk Christian Camp as a counselor and fell in love with the idea of working with teenagers. I knew I wanted to teach at that point, but I wanted to know the subject well as I planned on teaching at the secondary level, so I graduated with my Bachelors in Sociology with a Minor in History. To become equipped to teach the subjects I studied at A&M, I pursued an alternative teaching certification for six months. Once I finished the program, I dove right into teaching world geography for three years at Northbrook High School, a Title 1 school, in Houston, Texas. I was truly blessed to be surrounded by amazing teachers and supportive Principals during these intro years to teaching, which served to further my life passion to teach.
After the move, I ran into a road block of North Dakota not accepting my out of state license. Although heartbroken not to be able to teach, I decided this would be a great time to go back to school and pursue my Master’s in Education. I knew that teaching was exactly what I want to be doing the rest of my life, and I truly believed it was and is important to keep learning in order to keep being effective as a teacher. USC’s MAT program caught my interest because they are an excellent school and specialize in urban teaching, which I am truly passionate about. In addition, USC’s instructors have stretched me to think and grow as an individual and a teacher on numerous cultural issues. I am learning so much and absolutely love this program! Teaching allows and challenges me to be creative in guiding students to not only learn a subject but to learn how to be unique, successful, confident, and creative individuals.
Once I complete USC’s MAT program, I plan to continue my teaching career in North Dakota. I have all sorts of ideas on how to incorporate 21st century skills into the classroom by using Web 2.0 tools, Google, and creativity. Additionally, I hope for my students to be well-rounded, culturally aware, and respectful people. I cannot wait to be back in the classroom, but I will be a much more seasoned teacher because of The MAT program, so for that I say thanks!
