Hi, my name is Alaina, and I am currently a second semester junior at Longwood University’s Cormier Honors College. I am an Elementary Education and Teaching major with a licensure of Pre-K through 6, and I have been accepted into the Virginia Teaching Program! I am also a history minor. I was suppose to go on a study abroad to Thailand this past summer, but because of COVID-19 that trip was unfortunately canceled. Instead, I had the opportunity to take a virtual study abroad course, which looked at wrongful convictions and was set in London. This class opened my eyes to the reform needed in our criminal justice system, and I am thankful I was given the opportunity to take this class. I am a member of Chi Alpha, Epsilon Eta -an environmental fraternity-, and am an Eco Representative at the Office of Sustainability. I have fallen in love with Longwood University, and do everything I can to try to be involved both on and off campus. I have done my first 60 hours of observation at Prince Edward Country Elementary School, and had the time of my life interacting with a 2nd grade classroom. Next semester I will start my bundle of education classes for my major, which includes 90 hours of observation. I could not be more excited. I have also begun tutoring 4th graders at Prince Edward, and the experience has really tested me and taught me how to think outside of the bubble, and allowed me to work outside of my comfort zone. I just finished my first semester as a Residential Assistant in the Arc Quad Community at Longwood University. While the experience has had its ups and downs, as a whole I have learned so much from it, and have had an amazing staff and REC to back me up every step of the way. With COVID-19, this semester has been a challenging one, but I am so thankfully for my university and fellow students pushing through it together. I am excited for next semester and what the future holds!
