Caroline Poole is a senior early childhood development major at Waynesburg University from Greencastle, Pennsylvania. In her time at Waynesburg, she has participated in the Stover Scholars program, the Council for Exceptional Children and Kappa Delta Phi, as well as some of the on-campus Bible studies.

When choosing where to go to school, Poole recounted the effect her visit on campus had on her decision, stating, “The minute I set foot on campus, I was like, ‘This is it for me. I love the campus.’ The professors were very intentional. I talked to like four just walking around. I was between here and another school, and Dr. [Lawrence] Stratton called me, and he was like, ‘Hey! We’d love to have you in the Stover program.’ That was my sign. It sealed the deal.”

Every year in the Stover Scholars program, they take a trip to meet with different leading professionals in the Pittsburgh area. At the end of the trip, the seniors give speeches about their time in the program.

Poole described this moment of the trip with fondness, “My favorite memory is probably the Pittsburgh trips we go on, because the seniors all give their speeches, and they’re just beautiful. You can tell how much the program meant to them. There’s also everyone we get to meet.”

From an early age, Poole has had a strong desire to go into education. For her, it was never a question whether she was going to end up in the classroom and working with kids.

“I’ve always wanted to teach growing up,” She explained. “I had my little classroom with my stuffed animals, and I’ve never had a desire to do another career. I love working with children, and I just feel like the teachers I had made such an impact on me. I want to do that for others.”

To make sure they are comfortable in their future classrooms, education majors at Waynesburg University begin field placements in their first year. While Poole found the early experience helpful, she is still worried about having a classroom of her own.

“I’ve had great host teachers and great professors. We cover everything we could ever need. I feel very prepared, but it is still nerve-wracking,” She elaborated. “I feel like teaching is one of those careers where you don’t necessarily know what you’re doing until you have your own classroom.”

Kelly McGurgan, assistant professor of early childhood development at Waynesburg University, taught Poole for three years and described her as a kind, conscientious student. She emphasized the importance of balancing Poole’s future work life with teaching: “I hope she takes the time to stop and smell the roses, calm down and enjoy life. Her conscientious nature needs balance so that she does not explode when she gets her full-time job, because they are very demanding.”

Currently, Poole’s goal is to complete her master’s in instructional studies and curriculum design at Waynesburg University before beginning to teach. She hopes eventually to be involved in improving the curriculum on either the district or state level.