TU senior finds a way to help others through teaching

Aneisa Campbell always wanted a career where she could help people.

Initially, Campbell thought about studying medical technology. But she realized all those science classes weren’t for her.

Then she remembered she always enjoyed being around kids and wanted to help them grow. Campbell decided to transfer to Towson University and change her major to elementary education…all in the span of two days.

“I grew up in Baltimore, so I knew Towson University had the best education program in Maryland,” Campbell says. “It took two days to decide this, and in two days I changed my whole life around. And it was the best decision I have ever made.”

She will graduate in fall 2024, l from TU with her bachelor’s degree in elementary education. And she’s been preparing for her future career by getting real-world experience through the College of Education’s Level IV Internship Program.

She is a resident intern at Colgate Elementary school in Dundalk, Maryland, and instead of doing traditional student teaching, Campbell teaches her own third grade class.

While she meets occasionally with a mentor teacher, she is in control of her classroom. This includes decorations, coming up with lesson plans, grading tests, completing report cards and doing parent–teacher conferences.

Campbell admits that when she started decorating her classroom at the start of the semester, she was terrified. But she knew TU had prepared her well.

“The College of Education [professors] really have taught me about classroom management and what to expect,” she says. “A lot of my professors were once teachers themselves. They are personable and connect with you to make sure you understand what they are teaching you.”

After graduating, Campbell will continue at Colgate Elementary with her current class of third graders. She had the option to leave the position after graduation, but she wanted to stay with her students.

Her internship made her reflect on her childhood, and her third grade teacher, Peter Redgrave. He was her favorite teacher while she was at City Neighbors Elementary School.

It wasn’t because of anything he taught her; it was because he always made sure she as doing alright. She’s hoping to provide that with her students.

“They sit there, and I watch them not try, and it breaks my heart,” Campbell says. “So I tell them, ‘You are going to try because I care about you.’ My goal is for these kids to be successful way past from where they are with me.”

The internship was a little bit of a surprise as she wasn’t expecting it. But Campbell credits her personality and her ability to connect with her professors.

In fact, her time at TU was defined by connection. Along with working toward becoming a teacher, Campbell was a member of several organizations with missions to help others.

You meet so many people while you’re here, and you just end up connecting with them. TU has become my favorite place because of all the people I’ve met.

Aneisa Campbell '24

She belonged to the Student Government Association (SGA), acted as a mentor in the College Readiness and Outreach Program and was an orientation leader with New Student and Family Programs.

Her initial plan was to go to class and go to her dorm. But her mom told her college was about more than school and challenged her to get involved.

Now Campbell usually can’t walk around campus without recognizing someone or stopping for a conversation.

“I ended up making so many friends from joining SGA, and that opened up so many other opportunities,” Campbell says. “You meet so many people while you’re here, and you just end up connecting with them. TU has become my favorite place because of all the people I’ve met.”