Fiona Campbell

“I chose Carthage for several reasons. Carthage is near my hometown, so I can still get the college experience while being close to home. The campus is beautiful, and the lake is so pretty and right on Carthage’s shoreline. I love the small class sizes; when I first came on a tour my senior year of high school, the tour guide mentioned the class sizes, which makes it easier to build relationships with your professors, as opposed to a bigger school where sometimes you’re known by your ID number.”

“As an education major, the faculty have helped me so much. During my freshman year, I had to take the course Education and Society, in which I had to observe a classroom for 10 hours. If students struggle to find a placement or school to do the observation, professors in the Education Department are more than happy to help. If I need to stay after class and have questions answered, Carthage faculty are there.”

“One of my favorite classes was Educational Psychology and Assessment. It was one of my favorites because it was a class of about 10 students. It was a night class, which is not my favorite; however, the professor made it so enjoyable by bringing snacks because it was an all-night class, and she always felt bad about my classmates and me missing dinner. I also loved how we would often set up a table so we could all see each other; since the class was so small, the professor wanted to make sure everyone felt heard.”

“One of my toughest classes has been Principles of Modern Mathematics. Math is not my strong suit — it’s always been something I’ve struggled with. I also have a learning disability and learn differently than others. For me, it was especially difficult to copy everything from the board before the professor erased it or moved on while still trying to listen and keep up. But I still passed!”

“I helped the Education Department by being a student panelist at the scholarship event. This was such a cool opportunity! Many prospective students who came had questions about Carthage in general — campus life, dorm life, the Education Department, and so much more. I was happy that I could share my experiences and talk with them about Carthage.”

“My career goal after Carthage is to become a special education teacher for kindergarten through second grade. I want to be a special education teacher because I want students with disabilities to know that they matter, are important, and are valued. As I mentioned, I have a learning disability, and I had a lot of support growing up in the classroom. I want my future students to have the same support that made a difference for me.”

“When it is warm out, my favorite spots are the red chairs behind the Kissing Rock. The lake is beautiful and calming, and I take advantage of the warm weather as much as possible. I also love the library. I go there when I need to get my work done; it is quiet, and it’s the best feeling once you finish your work.”

“There are so many, but one of my favorite moments was when my friends and I were walking around and enjoying the nice weather at the Kenosha Farmers Market. Out of nowhere, an Elvis Presley performer pulled me into the middle of everyone in Kenosha Square and started dancing with me! I was so surprised, but it was definitely a core memory.”

“I always advise people to not cram everything into one day. It just doesn’t work and ends up making things more stressful. Instead, try making a study guide, using flashcards, and spacing things out over time. And seriously, don’t be afraid to talk to your professors. They’re here to help you; it can make a difference just by checking in or asking questions.”

“She would be so proud of herself. My 8-year-old self was on chemotherapy at the time, and if she could see where I am now — becoming a teacher — she would be amazed. She probably thought she would grow up to be a nurse, but deep down, there’s always been a future educator in her.”