Welcome to the McKay School! What to Expect as a New Student

Sarah Wilde

McKay Student Ambassador

Special Education (Severe/Profound Disabilities Emphasis)

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Welcome to the McKay School! Whether you just declared your pre-major, are taking prerequisites, or are starting your program, there are lots of new beginnings in the School of Education. However far you are in your program, there is a place for you here! At the McKay School, we have many ways to build community and want you to find your place!

Study Areas

Some of the best gathering places are the study areas! In the McKay Building, we have a room called the McKay Commons. The McKay Commons has many things to offer. Besides being the home of the academic advising center, there is also a classroom, a study room you can reserve, and lots of other places to sit and study. There are often fun events held in the McKay Commons, so be on the look out for those! Also in the McKay Commons is the Toolbox. The Toolbox has everything you could want for any project as well as fun crafts!

Besides the McKay Commons, there are other places you can study. By the vending

machines and microwaves, there are more tables and chairs to do homework at while you eat. Not far from there, there are some super comfy couches by the stairs in the center of the first floor. On all three floors, there are benches and chairs lining the hallway. These are convenient because they are just outside every classroom and are often close to electrical outlets you can use to plug in your laptop. As you can see, the McKay Building was built with the students in mind!

Resources

There are many resources in the McKay Building and in the Education Program. The academic advisors are super friendly and their secretaries are always happy to answer your questions! The advisement center is located just inside the McKay Commons, and is where you go to make your grad plan, apply to your program, get your fingerprints done, complete your background check, and so much more! The advisement center helps you with the logistic part of the Education Programs.

To help with the class part of the Education Programs are your amazing professors and TAs! Your TAs are education majors too and know exactly what you are going through! Your professors are always open to answer questions about your homework, career path options, and their research. If you can, get involved with a professor and their research. This will help you in your program and career, looks good on a resume, and is usually a paid position!

Last but not least, we recognize the importance of taking care of yourself and want to help you with the mental part of your education. In the McKay Building, we do what we can to make your life easier. We have multiple vending machines with various snacks and drinks for in between your classes. On the quiet third floor, we have a pebbled ice machine right next to one of the drinking fountains. Remember the benches that are in every hallway? Those make great spots for napping during your long days on campus. If you're feeling stressed, go to the stair cases on the ends of the building. They have large windows with great views to look out on and take in. You've got this.

School and Community Spirit!

We love holding events and hosting parties at the McKay School! There are many events in the McKay Commons for everyone in the school. Watch for signs around the school and announcements in your school email. If you are a pre major, we as the student ambassadors hold lots of events catered to you! Make sure you are on our email list so you are aware of those! We like to hold events to build community and friendships in the programs. These events are a great time to get to know students farther ahead in your program or from a different major altogether! The different departments within the school (TEd, CPSE, and COMD) will hold smaller events for their programs as well.

You may be wondering if the McKay School is any different than the other Education Schools at other universities, and I can assure you that it is! My favorite thing about the McKay School is our religious focus. We focus on becoming like Jesus Christ, the Master Teacher. We are preparing to teach His children, one-by-one. Jesus loves the little children, and heals those who may be struggling with physical or mental trials as many of our students will be. Our community is stronger in the McKay School because we focus on this spiritual aspect as well as everything else. The McKay School is such a great place to receive your education, and we are so happy you are here!

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HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT EDUCATION MAJORS?

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