5 Ways the McKay School Supports Future Educators

Sarah Wilde

McKay Student Ambassador

Special Education (Severe/Profound Disabilities Emphasis)

When majoring in education, you are never alone! The McKay School is a community, and the faculty and staff are always willing to put their students first. Whether your concerns are about your classes, experience, finances, or research, you can always find help and support in the School of Education.

Academic Advisement

If you're wondering what classes to take next, how to sign up for practicum, or wanting to change majors, the Academic Advisement Center has it all! Your advisor will sit down and make a grad plan with you no matter where you are in school. They'll help you make sure you get all your credits is, help you apply for the program, and help you with your practicum placements. Their secretaries are also fun and helpful. They can help you schedule your appointments, get your fingerprinting and background check done, and always have candy on hand! With the Academic Advisement Center, there's no way you can get to graduation and realize that you missed a credit. Your education is in good hands. Schedule an appointment at the Academic Advisement Center here.

Experiential Learning

By the time you graduate and get a job in the classroom, you will already have spent time teaching kids. The teaching programs are Experiential Learning based. Every student spends two semesters in practicum (three if you are in PETE!) and either student teaches for a semester or teaches as an intern for a whole school year. During all this, you have mentor teachers and professors who guide you through everything! Hopefully, by the time you start teaching on your own, nothing will feel entirely new. Every student goes into the field prepared.

Student Connection

The McKay School has so many student activities! If you're a pre-major, you should be getting emails from us Student Ambassadors (if you aren't getting these emails, sign up for them here!). We hold events to get pre-majors involved and to give them information the might need. The Leadership Fellows hold similar events for students who are already accepted into the programs. The Teacher Education department holds activities for their students, the McKay School PR Department holds events in the McKay Commons, and the individual majors have activities for their classes! There is always something happening in the McKay School, so watch for those announcements! Often these will be announced on the McKay School's Instagram Page.

Scholarships

Every year, the McKay School gives away 1.5-2 million dollars in scholarships! There is only one application to fill out, and you automatically apply for all the scholarships the school has to offer! You are required to fill out the FAFSA form and must be accepted into your major to apply. The McKay School gives out full-tuition and part-tuition scholarships on a needs basis. While they prioritize student teachers, many of the students in the McKay School get these scholarships every year! The School of Education wants their students to excel in their education, and supplying financial aid is one of the best ways they can do that.

Belonging Field Trips

Within the last few years, faculty and students have begun going on Belonging Field Trips to do service and research. This Summer term, we have had students go to Santa Fe and Boston as well as overseas to places like Ghana, Thailand, Hungary, and Samoa. These trips give students opportunities to travel, teach, serve others, and research topics they are passionate about. Get involved with a professor and their research, and you just might end up on one of these trips!

The McKay School recognizes all the hard things about being a college student, and they are here to help. Engage with each of these resources, and you will graduate more knowledge, confidence, experience, and friends.

HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT EDUCATION MAJORS?

Come meet with us! Schedule an appointment here. We would love to meet with you!