An intern finds a path to her career
The moment Amanda Campbell stepped into Ridge Ruxton, a Baltimore County public school, her career path became clear.
Interning at Ridge Ruxton, an opportunity facilitated by COE's Center for Professional Practice, brought the early childhood/special education major into contact with the student population she plans to work with after graduation. The experience, says the former U.S. Marine, “made me realize exactly what I want to do with my degree when I get out.”
Campbell credits support and mentorship from professors, including Tessier and Amy Noggle, with helping her to identify and achieve her goals.
“They have really guided me and given me those experiences that I’m not sure I would have gotten anywhere else,” says the York, Pennsylvania, native.
In addition to working at Ridge Ruxton, Campbell interned at the Baltimore County Infants and Toddlers Program and Stevens Forest Elementary School in Howard County, Maryland.
“ Everything they taught us had a purpose and has helped prepare us for our future careers. ”
Highly relevant coursework in early childhood and special education, adds Campbell, has been important in helping her get the most out of those experiences. Classes in which she learned to assess children with special needs, talk to their families and even fill out the paperwork that comes with being a special educator.
“Everything they taught us had a purpose,” she says, “and has helped prepare us for our future careers.”
According to the senior, she’s also getting valuable assistance in applying for jobs and guidance on making the transition from being a student to being a teacher, as she prepares to graduate.
It’s a transition her professors are confident will be a great one for Campbell, whom they selected to receive the College of Education’s Teacher of Promise Award — given to a student with the utmost potential for success as a full-time teacher upon graduation.
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