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Jordan Bashore ’20 High School Art Teacher at Commonwealth Charter Academy

The best advice that I can give now is to not stress if you don’t “have it all together” right away. Rely on your colleagues for guidance and let the kids be a part of curating what you teach.

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Alyssa Christi ’20 1st Grade Online Teacher at Elizabethtown Area School

Advice for future teachers: The biggest lesson I have learned so far in my first year of teaching is how to advocate for my students. By choosing to be a teacher, you are choosing to be a voice for your students in order to help them be successful socially, emotionally, and academically.

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Amanda Maye Kirk ’20 3rd Grade Special Education Teacher at Mariana Bracetti Academy

Advice for future teachers: There are going to be parents, students, other educators, administrators, and community members who treat your students as less than. Never be afraid to stand up for each student and show their worth.

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Lydia Pebly ’20 Middle School ELA and Social Studies Teacher at Academies at Hamilton

My advice is to keep a list of your "successes" (whether physical or mental), no matter how small they might seem, for the days when you're feeling discouraged.

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Kayla Flemmens ’20 7th Grade Science Teacher at Cockeysville Middle School

Advice for future teachers: A word I have been sharing with my students lately is perseverance. We recently watched in anticipation as the Mars rover by this name successfully touched down on the Red Planet. My students have been learning remotely since last March, and that task has required great perseverance and dedication.

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Alexis Shughart ’20 Unexpected Opportunities to Serve through Teaching

Sometimes learning leads to exciting unexpected opportunities! Where will YOUR journey take you at Messiah University?

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Danielle Cardone ’19 4th Grade Teacher at Landisville Intermediate Center

I feel like there is so much to learn especially in the first few years of teaching. I will say that Messiah’s education program did an excellent job in preparing me to become an educator. However, there is always room to grow and there will be stressful days. Don’t sweat the small things!

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Tyler Pursell ’19 Seventh Grade STEM Teacher

Tyler is a Class of 2019 grad who majored in Education with Teaching Certification in Grades 4-8. He had two concentrations: Math and Science. Tyler is utilizing the knowledge and skills he learned at Messiah to teach students in Seventh Grade STEM courses at East Pennsboro Middle in Pennsylvania. Tyler's advice for future teachers is, "In your first year of teaching, remember to give yourself grace. You will learn so much in your first year about pedagogy and students. Take what you learn, and allow it to make you a better educator each and every day."

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Maggie Mancini ’19 Elementary Life Skills Teacher

In college, I had aspirations of the teacher I was going to be, as I'm sure you do, too! Don't lose sight of them in the first year, but also realize it may take you time to build up to them.

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Micah Meredith ’18 Health and P.E. Teacher at Ballenger Creek Middle School

Be willing to put the content aside for a little in order to teach life. Many kids need life lessons more than they’ll need your specific content.

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Juliana Harris ’18 Program Presenter at Museum of Science in Boston

After graduation, Juliana moved back to her home state of Massachusetts and began studying for a Master’s degree in Museum Education at Tufts University. Juliana currently works as a Program Presenter at the Museum of Science in Boston, Massachusetts.

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Ben Webber ’17 Kindergarten Teacher at Kindergarten Academy

Ben is a 2017 grad. He is currently working as a Kindergarten Teacher at Kindergarten Academy.

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Aubrie Weaver ’16 3rd Grade Teacher at West Shore Christian Academy

Advice for future teachers: My advice is to pray and follow God's lead. You can be a light for Christ in a public school or a private school as long as you're building meaningful relationships with students.

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Kayla Desko ’15 Kindergarten Teacher at Kindergarten Academy

It has been great to see how God has made my entire experience at Kindergarten Academy come full circle from junior field experience to a teacher with a classroom of my own. I know without a doubt that I wouldn’t be the teacher I am today if it wasn’t for my time at Messiah. The professors not only prepared me with the content I needed, but they showed me what it means to be an effective and influential teacher. If I hadn’t gone to Messiah I don’t think I would have been as prepared to be a Christian educator in a public school.

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Rachel Marshall ’15 Teacher of Autism Support at Linglestown Middle School

One piece of advice would be to create a strong team! Whether that is your grade level, content specific, or special education team- you all need to communicate clearly and develop trust amongst each other so you can lean on one another during the challenges and celebrate the victories!

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Domenic Andolina ’14 Director of Theatre & Director of Secondary Support Services at First Assembly Christian School

“Listen to your students. They will tell you what they need, if you put the agenda aside for a moment, look them in their eyes, and truly have an open, non-judgmental ear.”

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Aaron Carmichael ’06 Principal at Crestview Elementary

The experiences I had at Messiah College prepared me to enter the educational field. I received a professional contract prior to graduating and started in a third grade classroom for the Carlisle Area School District. I quickly learned that my degree from Messiah College set me apart from other candidates.

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Carrie Adams Soliday ’91 Educational Consultant with Eduprenuerial Solutions

Advice for future teachers: As you prepare to join the immensely rewarding field of education, it may be strange to read this bit of advice.

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