My Life as a Mustang: An Education Major’s Perspective

Hello!

My name is Wilson Ebner and I am currently a senior at Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU); I am majoring in Elementary Education, Special Education, and Teaching English as a Second Language, with a Reading minor. I graduated from Rosemount High School in 2013, and I then moved to Marshall, MN to start college at SMSU.

At Southwest Minnesota State University, I have been provided with many unexpected opportunities. For example, we have a club called Education Minnesota Student Program (EMSP), which is not only a club that helps Education majors find professional development opportunities, connect with other Education majors and grow as aspiring educators on the SMSU campus, but it also provides these same opportunities on the state level with Education Minnesota, and on the national level with the National Education Association. During my sophomore year, I volunteered to be the Vice-President of EMSP on the campus of SMSU and a month later, I was elected President.

Wilson Ebner’s first National Education Association Board

 meeting with another Minnesota representative, Ellen

My year as SMSU EMSP President was an amazing experience, and little did I know the even more amazing opportunities I would be presented with: on June 30, 2016 in Washington, D.C., I was elected to represent 50,000 aspiring educators on the national level as a Student Representative on the National Education Association’s Board of Directors. I am currently 6 months into my term. For this position, I fly around the country about 9-10 times during the year, going to conferences, meeting the members that I represent, and attending the board meetings to help make influential decisions for the future of education.

SMSU Education students Clay Flesner and Wilson Ebner, Dr. Wendy Schoolmeester, and SMSU Alumni and 

NEA Student Chair 2014-2016 Chelsey Herrig in Washington, D.C. at the Student Leadership Conference

You’re probably reading this wondering why I am talking about my position and myself. I do want to tell you why SMSU was right for me and prepared me to be the best teacher I can be. Four years ago, I was absolutely terrified about picking the right school for my future. I wanted a school that would prepare me to take on a classroom of students all on my own and not come home crying because I messed up a lesson. I learned from SMSU that failure in education is the best thing that can happen to you! It becomes a teachable moment.

SMSU places you in an area school your freshman year for 15 hours to begin the practice. In the past two years, I believe that I have spent more time in an elementary school than the university. This is something rare and not many schools around the country allow their students to be in a school freshman year, first semester.

SMSU also has some of the best, nicest, funniest Education professors; I mean it! We occupy an entire 2^nd floor of a building and part of the 1^st floor as well because we have so many amazing professors. They are constantly in their offices when not teaching so you are able to pop right on in and say hi and ask questions. Not once in my life have I had more support from teachers/professors. One even flew to DC with me to support me on my campaign for NEA Board.

Dr. Wendy Schoolmeester, Dr. Sonya Vierstrate, and Wilson Ebner
eating doughnuts at our Alumni tent before the Homecoming parade

The curriculum at SMSU in the Education Department really makes you think and pushes you to grow into the best teacher. Over the past year, I have had 3 job offers from schools around the Marshall area that want me to come teach in their district after graduation. As an Education student at SMSU, you can feel confident that you will be well-prepared for a career in education.

As I am finishing up my last semester of classes before student teaching, I am amazed by how much information I have learned and used in the classroom over these past four years. The Education Department absolutely prepares you to be the best teacher you can be.

Picking and starting college will be scary at first. If you’re like me, you will question if you made the right choice up until move in day. From the moment I moved in freshman year, I knew I had made the right decision. Being an Education major at SMSU has been the most rewarding experience of my life and I really love every moment of it. I know you will too! 

Welcome Back Mustangs! Aaron's Major Decisions!

Greetings Mustangs!

I hope everyone had a great break and you were all able to spend some quality time with the ones you care about! I have a lot to tell all of you so sit back, relax, and get ready to understand why I chose my major(s), and some of my many wonderful experiences here at SMSU!

For me, choosing my major was all about picking something that fit me and my way of life. I wanted to find something I enjoyed doing, but could also become successful at. Picking a major is not an easy decision, as there is a lot to consider. You have to have something in mind that you will enjoy and cherish for a long time. You have to pick something that you can be proud of. Coming into college, I was an Exercise Science major, and I have since added a Broadcasting and Digital Media double major. I chose Exercise Science because of my interest in the sciences and the endless job options that are associated with that. As far as Broadcast and Digital Media, I have always been told I have a good voice and was made for radio. After taking TV production last fall, I was sold: I knew I wanted to also major in that field.

Experiences have been aplenty here at SMSU. I have been able to take advantage of many opportunities including: LLPA of Lakota Living and Learning Community, SMSU Admissions Office Student Worker, SMSU Ambassador, Vice-President of Exercise Science Club, SMSU Football and Basketball productions, having my own radio show, and many others! There is so much to do and be a part of here at SMSU! The opportunities are there for anyone willing to put themselves out there!

Believe in Brown,

Aaron Bible

Congratulations Mustangs!

Congratulations everyone!

We survived the Fall semester! Finals week is over, it is time to unwind, and it is time for break. This break, I think we can all agree, is much needed! I am looking forward to homemade food and my favorite holiday, Christmas! While each of us will be spending our breaks differently, I plan on spending mine catching up on sleep and preparing for next semester. This was my first semester as a college student at SMSU, and I have learned so much already; I could not have asked for a better first semester!

I came into this semester very nervous about, well, everything! Everything was all new to me, I did not know anyone, and I was unfamiliar with campus, but by the end of my first semester all of that changed! I met and made so many new friends, my classes went well, I got a job on campus, I got involved in activities, and before I knew it, SMSU was starting to feel like home! I have enjoyed my first semester at SMSU more than I ever imagined possible!

For incoming freshmen, do not be as nervous as I was starting college. Everything will fall into place. Before you know it, college will begin to feel more and more like home. My first semester at college has been one of the best experiences ever. For students at SMSU, enjoy your break no matter how you are spending it. Good luck next semester!

Happy Holidays everyone!

Brooke Sorensen
SMSU Freshman