My wonderful Lasallian teachers

One thing that I definitely know is an important component to Lasallian-ness is education. Yes, it can be argued that education is important to any kind of educational institution, but I feel like it has a special focus at Saint Mary's. I'm finding myself less and less surprised by how many education majors there are at SMU, and I find that it makes perfect sense that so many people end up getting an MA in Instruction. There's something special about the way our professors teach, and I think it's going to impact the way their students teach.

I've always been touched by how much my professors seem to care about me as a person, but their dedication to their students as actual people was most apparent to me these last couple weeks between breaks. I found myself stressed out and overwhelmed, sick and exhausted, and completely distracted by outside factors in my life, and my professors were incredibly understanding. I found it easier than I expected to talk to them about these factors that were keeping me from remaining focused on my work, and I was surprised at how sincerely concerned they were while helping me get things straightened out. I've always considered myself a pretty put-together student, so I had never before had to deal with this kind of obstacle, and it was very reassuring to have the help and understanding of my professors.

I hope when I am a teacher (yes, I am one of those who decided to get an MA in Instruction) I remember to care about each student as much as my teachers and professors have cared about me. I'm sure it will be on my mind after the impact SMU has had on me. In just three years, Saint Mary's has adjusted the way I think in a very positive way that I'm sure will help me immensely as a teacher.